At only 17, Amelie has already overcome many challenges in her squash journey, which have become the building blocks of strength and maturity.

Whilst maintaining her national no.1 junior ranking for over three years, in 2024 she chose to take a different path, making two huge decisions in support of her long-term goals:

1.     She chose to step away from the junior squash circuit to focus on the senior professional circuit, where she is thriving.

2.     She accepted a scholarship at The Maribyrnong Sports Academy to complete her VCE, to allow her to achieve her academic goals alongside her squash goals.

It is this mindset which Amelie has had from a very young age, focussing on challenge and growth, which now has her sitting as the highest ranked junior in Australia on the professional world circuit. This already includes a professional title, which has only driven her further to chase more competition and experience against the best.

Amelie has been selected to represent Australia above her age group numerous times, in Trans-Tasman team events against New Zealand, and as part of the World Junior Championships Women’s Team. Being a person who has always taken preference of a greater challenge over an easy win has made her one of the fastest improving juniors. A recent example was when Amelie sacrificed potential results in a week-long professional tournament, by choosing the training opportunities offered at the event, leaving her with much less to compete. She will tell you it was one of the best experiences so far, which elevated her to another level. A rare attitude for someone so young and speaks volumes of where her focus lies.

THE UPS AND DOWNS…

What many do not know are the battles Amelie has faced behind the scenes. Her persistence, grit, and indomitable will to overcome these are her greatest achievement so far. Amelie has insight and experience far beyond her years, as many on the senior circuit will tell you. This is the stuff which builds an athlete for the long road ahead.

After achieving her greatest success of her first professional title in 2023, Amelie suffered mental and physical battles which led to her questioning her future in this sport. The long emotional and physical battle nearly broke her, but instead she used this difficult period as an opportunity to re-evaluate what was important to her, and what was right for her moving forward.

Starting over from scratch with a new approach, a new team, and a sports psychologist, step by step Amelie has rebuilt herself. A testament to her resilience, this is not the first time she has found herself at a crossroads. As young as 12 she sacrificed two years of potential wins whilst relearning and practicing new technique to advance her skills for the long-term. At 14, when her and her coach went in a different direction, she turned her devastation into opportunity. This time without a coach, she applied her advanced technical knowledge, tweaking and improving her skills, and learning to think for herself whilst competing, culminated in her greatest progress and success to date.

THE BEGINNINGS…

Amelie took an interest in squash through her dad, who is a squash player, and it was love at first sight. At only four years old, she would play between the adult’s matches, sometimes receiving tips or coaching from them. At age five she was thrilled to receive her very own squash bag and racquet for her birthday. By age six she was taking a weekly group coaching session. She decided she wanted to improve and eventually compete, so she started working with a coach on a regular basis. Her time on court, and passion, continually grew until aged 10, when she asked if she could compete at a tournament. That first taste of reality for Amelie, ready to win her first match only to be shocked by a smashing. The passion was strong from the beginning, always wanting to get straight back on court with the kids who beat her, never any hard feelings, just wanting to learn and improve. It was loss after loss… until one day, she won her first game against the no.1 player in Victoria at the time, someone so far ahead nobody could beat her. The post-match photo showed Amelie looking like the winner, so excited by her progress in winning a single game during a match against the top player. The seed was planted…

A WORD FROM AMELIE…

Squash is my life, and everything revolves around it, but it’s also my happy place. Whatever is happening in my life I can go there. My dad is recovering from a brain tumour, he is going to be okay, but it has been a very difficult time. My mum would take me to the court to stay connected, and I would do some solo or have a hit with her, then we would go to the hospital. It has not been an easy couple of years, but I feel I have never been stronger, more skilled, or more determined. I’m at a point now where things going wrong are only obstacles for me to work around, they are not the end of anything. I also learn so much every time, whether it’s about myself, or a new skill. I do train to win, but my motivation comes from the process.

I do have a life outside of my sport, which improved as part of my re-evaluation. I enjoy creativity, something I use on the court, but off the court it’s in the form of painting and cooking. I have made a cake in the shape of a squash court (topped with a squash ball) of course! I also love camping, bike rides, swimming, time with my friends, and sharing a laugh with my dad with the silliness of Monty Python.

A WORD FROM RACV SQUASH PRESIDENT, GEOFF CHAMBERS:

“Amelie has been a member of our pennant teams over recent years, and she is a young woman of exemplary characteristics. Most importantly she is a polite, respectful young woman at ease with people of all ages. At RACV we expect our players to be good hosts to our visitors, to play the game with integrity and respect for opponent and referee, and to contribute to the team by marking and refereeing matches. Amelie does all of these, and excels.”

“From a squash playing perspective her record is outstanding. Amelie has achieved this through her unquestioned talent, combined with a mature application to the acquisition of fitness and skill. We believe, despite her already significant successes, that she has barely scratched the surface and has far to go in squash.”

WHERE TO NEXT?

“One of my proudest moments was wearing the green and gold for Australia at the World Junior Championships. I soaked up the atmosphere and loved being on court with the world’s best. It was a bit of bad luck being injured before my first match, but I pushed through the whole event. It’s these times you learn the most about yourself. It was also special to walk away with new friends and connections from around the world.”

“I aim to compete at the World Juniors again next year. Outside of this my focus remains on the senior circuit and my professional career. The ultimate dream is to wear the green and gold for Australia at the Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics. Squash is a highly intense sport both mentally and physically, I’m so happy it has earnt its place in the Olympics! I also really want to put Australia back on the map in this sport.”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT AMELIE’S FUTURE SUCCESS?!

The higher Amelie reaches, the greater the financial demands for travel and training/coaching opportunities. She needs financial support to sustain her progress in this sport.

Amelie is the real deal. If you can help in any way, small or large, you will be taking part in a unique journey of a young girl who just wanted to hit a ball for fun at the age of 4, who now at 17 aspires to not only wear the green and gold on the Olympic stage, but is determined to put Australia back on the map in her sport!

Amelie is supported by five-time Olympian, Nat Cook, as part of her Aussie Athlete Fund, $1M Challenge, powered by Ampol with the ultimate challenge of raising $10,000 by October 31, 2024. Please help Amelie succeed with this challenge!

Amelie is a confident public speaker, has strong interpersonal skills with people of all ages and backgrounds, and is an advocate for women playing sport.