A new challenge awaits England’s youngest shining stars

11 English players will head to Hungary to compete at the WTT Youth Contender Szombathely, with each player taking part in either the Under-13 or Under-11 events. For the majority of those involved, this will be their first experience of competing on the WTT stage.

This representation reflects the strong delivery and progress being made through the Performance Team across the England Futures and Development Squad and the National Performance Development Centre (PDC) network. All 11 athletes are currently part of the PDC structure, training at centres across the country:

• Ormesby PDC (North East): Jonti Barnes, Mindy Gao, Mila Gao
• Halton PDC (North West): Oliver Glowacki, Lok Hei Hayfield Lam, Jacob Dennison
• Draycott & Long Eaton PDC (Midlands): Sakinah Damji
• London PDCs: Lev Sahmurov, Lusio Wen, Isabella Xiao Xu

There will be valuable competition experience on offer for all the players involved. Notably, England’s current number one and number two rated Under-11 boys, club-mates Hayfield Lam and Jacob Dennison, will both make their WTT debut. In the Under-11 girls’ event, the four English competitors will face a strong field including six of the world’s top Under-11 girls.

In the Under-13 category, which begins first, England number three Lusio Wen – the only defensive player in the travelling squad – will take on second seed Jeffrey Wei of Germany in the group stage.

You can follow results and stay up to date with the event by heading to the WTT website here.

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