Lydia McQuillan

‘In my primary years I didn’t know what squash was – now I’m addicted to it’

Though COVID won’t be remembered fondly, it was for many people a natural watershed in their lives. For Lisburn girl Lydia McQuillan, pre-COVID she played squash for fun and post pandemic she took off full throttle securing the number one spot and a place on the Irish U17s.

That was season 2022/23 and she travelled to Prague to play in the European Championships. “It was a whole new experience for me,” says Lydia, “I was playing at a completely different level, and it was so exciting. The Irish team did well, and I was so proud. We were up against the top contenders in Europe such as France and England.”

In Summer 2023 Lydia was selected for the Irish Girls U19s and travelled to the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. “I was there for over two weeks. It was amazing and we had a really cool time. We played as a team but also competed individually. The sports complex was located on Melbourne’s Formula 1 track. The high standards of many of the players was just insane. I brought back so much from my Aussie experience.”

Lydia’s squash journey started at Lisburn Racquets Club. None of her family had ever played the game but were into sport and Lydia did activities such as swimming.

“When I was at primary school, I took part in badminton and tennis summer camps. Then aged 12, a friend introduced me to squash at Lisburn Racquets club nights. I just loved the variety of the sport. The high intensity of squash gripped me – anything can happen, and the sport can change direction in a moment.

“So, from not knowing what squash was, I became addicted to the game.  I also enjoyed the social side and have made so many friends through squash.”

Lydia officially became an Irish U19s squad regular at the start of the 2023/24 season. In March 2024 she was in Romania to compete in the U19s European Championships.

“As a team we did very well clocking up some good wins – especially a class one against Germany. I really learned a lot. Individually I won two games and narrowly lost two. I was able to take so much away from that tournament and could clearly see I had improved massively from my 2022/2023 season.

“Everyone advises you that you learn more from losing than winning and that is so true. I’ve gained a lot of experience and knowledge about the tactical side of the game and shot selection. Sport is so much more than just a physical match; it’s about building mental resilience when you’ve hit a brick wall and need to push back and get the win.

“Competing at high level competitions I’ve learned to push myself beyond my comfort zone on court. I don’t want to play a comfortable game. Even when tired you need to push yourself.”

After Romania in March there was a break, then during the summer Lydia was in England undertaking work experience combined with training and playing squash against a range of top competitors.  Season 2024/2025 will be Lydia’s last as part of the Irish U19s.

Going forward Lydia aims to retain her Irish Number One status and keep improving. Since September 2024 Lydia has played in several tournaments and has jumped up the European rankings for her age by an amazing 40 places from number 70 in Europe to number 30.

Coaching is something Lydia is also passionate about and during her Gap Year she is working with young players in two age groups: 6-9 years and 10-15 years old.

“There aren’t that many female coaches, and I think it’s really inspiring to younger girls to be coached by a woman. I really enjoy this side of squash and so far, I’ve achieved the WSF (World Squash Federation) Level 1 coaching course.”

Having completed A Levels at Wallace High School in Lisburn Lydia is taking a Gap Year. Although there was no squash team at Wallace, the PE Department and indeed the whole school are extremely proud of her achievements in squash. “My school was very supportive.”

During her year out Lydia is working to raise cash, is playing squash and coaching and hopes to take up a degree in medicine next academic year.  She plays at Belfast Boat Club and pays tribute to her coach Josh McVeigh. “I owe a lot to Josh – he has really helped me develop and improve.”

As well as being thankful for the support she has received from her parents, family and friends, Lydia is very grateful to the Mary Peters Trust. Funding from the Trust means a lot to Lydia.

“I feel very privileged to even be selected as a Trust athlete. I’m in with a truly talented group of sports people and it’s amazing to be part of it. Funding has been vital to my development as it’s enabled me to compete abroad and play the best in the world which is absolutely a gamechanger.

“As a person Mary is hugely inspiring. She has been a dominant sporting female figure and throughout her career Mary has supported young people through their own sporting careers.”

For the first time squash will be an Olympic sport at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Ultimately Lydia would love to compete at that level. “Nothing is impossible. I want to keep getting better and see how far I can go in squash.”