Georgia Adderley quits football to focus on her squash dream

Georgia Adderley is the national champion

The Edinburgh 16-year-old is set to leave the Mary Erskine School this summer and, following a few weeks rest, will move on to Edinburgh College to continue her studies while committing more hours to her squash alongside coach Kevin Moran.

In recent years, Adderley has balanced her squash career with her other great love, football. As a Spartans player, she has represented Scotland at Under-17 level, having also captained her country’s Under-16s.

However, as she continued to make strides in both sports it became clear to her that she would have to make a decision to take a step back from one of them.

Adderley in
action for Spartans — Adderley in action for Spartans

Having won the Sterling Trucks Scottish Senior National Championships at Edinburgh Sports Club in March and then represented her country at the European Team Championships (ETC) in Helsinki in April, Adderley has decided to focus fully on squash.

“I have had such a great time playing football with my team mates at Spartans and Scotland in the last few years, it was always so fun to meet up and build up to a game,” she said.

“To captain my country was something that made me and my family really proud and I think I learned a lot about myself and sport that I can take forward in my squash.

“Whether that be how to get the best out of myself when I am physically drained or more on the mental side who knows? But I will definitely take a lot forward.

“In terms of squash, I just love the game and want to keep getting better.

“I first started playing when I had just turned eleven because my dad used to play a lot so I went along with him.

“There was something about squash that just grabbed me and I love the different parts of the game and how a match can swing so quickly.

“It is a physical and mental battle with your opponent and I love that about it.

“Winning the Scottish title this year was a big thing for me, but the trip to Helsinki really opened my eyes to what lies ahead.

“Only by being around the best can you become the best and that experience was a very positive one and myself and Kevin as well a [national coach] Paul Bell have a pathway and plans in place for myself and I am just going to get my head down, work hard and see what comes of it.”

Adderley will attend an East Squash Open fun day at the Grange Club in Edinburgh this Sunday between midday and 4pm.

She is encouraging girls to come along and give squash a try.

She added: “I would say to everyone, give it a go.

“You make great friends, can keep fit and it’s a really fun sport to play.”