The Missouri Athletic Club is proud to be the home to a dedicated squash program. Long a part of the Club’s athletic culture, the sport brings together all levels who value competition and community. 

Recently, four MAC junior squash players had the opportunity to take this passion abroad. Squash Pro Alex Ingham accompanied Hayden Dembiec, Johnny Gabel, Nolan Ma, and Louis Wang on a trip to England to prepare for the Dutch Junior Open. The group returned with stories of action-packed days spent sightseeing, playing on European squash courts, and earning new hardware from the Oakwood Graded tournament in England. 
 

London Calling 

The itinerary was packed for the MAC's first junior squash trip to Europe. The group visited iconic landmarks, including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, while also training and meeting athletes from around the world.  

"These trips are about so much more than squash,” Ingham says. “Watching the kids grow through new challenges, adapt to different environments, meet athletes from different cultures, and experience some of England’s most iconic landmarks whilst getting some practice swings in.” 

Together, the players experienced the sights and culture of England, creating memories that will last a lifetime. 

“The trip was amazing!” Hayden Dembiec says. “We saw so many famous buildings in London. We also got to see top professional squash players like Joel Makin, Declan James, and Jasmine Hutton play.” 

“I loved the trip,” Johnny Gabel says. “We got to go sightseeing in London and train with top pros.” Gabel says those experiences greatly helped the players' performance at the Dutch Junior Open. Gabel placed 15th amongst the world’s best junior squash players – an incredible achievement! 

“I really enjoyed going to Europe to play squash and found the entire experience extremely enlightening,” Louis Wang says. “I learned a lot about the culture in Europe, the way players train, and many improvements I have been able to incorporate into my game.” 

“The trip wasn’t all about improving our squash skills,” Nolan Ma says. "Through team dinners, exploring the city of Amsterdam together, and watching Wimbledon – I am very grateful for this opportunity.” 

Dutch Junior Open 

The MAC players competed in the Dutch Junior Open, one of the world’s most prestigious junior squash tournaments. 

“The kids pushed themselves further than they thought possible,” Ingham says. Throughout the competitions, he coached and encouraged the players, providing the same support abroad that he offers at the Club. 

After hard-fought matches against some of the world's top emerging junior players, the MAC competitors walked away with valuable international experience and unforgettable memories. 

FINISHING POSITIONS 

John Gabel – 15th, BU15 

Hayden Dembiec – 78th, BU17 

Louis Wang – 89th, BU17 

Nolan Ma – 90th, BU17 

The players returned home with lessons learned from competing abroad, countless memories, and a stronger sense of camaraderie forged through the shared experience. 

“I’m so proud of the way the kids played, performed, and represented themselves both on and off the court,” says Ingham. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of their journey and can’t wait for the next one!”