ALLISON Yee wants to become a national champion just like her father used to be.
She is the daughter of Warren Yee, a former president of the Fiji Squash Association who also won the gold medal in the sport at the 2007 Pacific Games.
Warren had been national champion for a long time and his achievements have motivated Allison to aim for the same success.
She turns 20 next month and even though she only took up the sport in 2011, Yee has set her sights on winning the A-grade title this year.
“I won the under-19 girls tournament last year and since then I have become a better player,” she said.
“My aim for this year is to keep improving, practice the basics of squash, get a more relax ‘follow through’ to the ball, keep my shots either tight or in control and train at least four times a week.
“I would also like to take out the girls A-grade title this year at the nationals.”
She said her toughest match to date was against former national rep Natasha Roxburgh who was the junior and the ladies champion from 2010 till 2012.
“This was last year; it was a big match at the Victoria Courts when I lost to her in a match of mixed feeling.
“In the end I knew I could do better and I respect Natasha immensely for the challenge and for teaching me a lesson.”
Yee said her father has been very supportive of her and has been her pillar of strength.
“He (Warren) is my coach and has helped me improve my game. He is very enthusiastic and we like to relate everything we do to squash which means he continues coaching me even when I’m off the court.
“Also I would like to thank sponsors Rodman Simpson and Yogen Sharma, Victoria Club for the Thursday night games, Defence Club for the venue to play and practice and special thanks to Jioji Simpson and Janice Chan for their companionship.”
