Birmingham will be home to the British Junior Open for the next three years as part of a major relaunch that will also see the flagship event streamed live online.
The tournament has undergone a rebranding with a new logo and will include a new U11s category when it returns in January.
The ‘second city’ will host the tournament at four venues – the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Priory, the West Warwickshire Sports Club and the Solihull Arden Club – from 3 to 7 January.
Sheffield has hosted the competition since 1996, where names such as three-time world champion Nick Matthew, World No.1 Gregory Gaultier and eight-time world champion Nicol David all kickstarted their careers with U19 championship titles.
But after a rigorous bidding process via an external and independent commissioned consultant, Birmingham has been identified as the city to take the tournament forward into the next three years.
England Squash’s Competitions and Events Manager Gregg Cropper said: “After a rigorous application process with major cities bidding to host this world class event, Birmingham was the outstanding choice with four great venues and a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere in the city, which we see as vital to the finest international players.
“I’m sure the tournament will continue to grow over the next three years in its new setting and look forward to the first instalment in January. I would like to thank those at Abbeydale Park Racquets and Fitness Club and Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club, who have done an outstanding job of hosting the event in Sheffield for more than 20 years.”
Entries now open
Entries are now open to any nations wishing to compete in the 2018 championships (closes 16 October at 23:59).
