England come calling for Beechdown pair (From Basingstoke Gazette)

England come calling for Beechdown pair

1:00pm Tuesday 2nd March 2010 in

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A BASINGSTOKE squash club is celebrating after two of its members were called up to play for England.

Beechdown players Lance Kinder and Robbie Keefe are at opposite ends of the age scale but both have got the call ahead of international matches due to take place in May.

Kinder’s selection did not come as much of a surprise, the 74-year-old from Overton is captain of England’s over-70 team and has 55 international caps to his name.

However, Keefe, who is just 11, would be making his England debut if picked to play for the under-13 side.

Keefe is ranked sixth in England and has been named as part of a five-man squad for a European Tournament, though only three of them will actually see action.

“I am hoping to actually play and am really looking forward to it,” he said.

“There are two people who are quite close to me in terms of |ability so it will be a close call.

“I was really excited and happy when I got the call. It has just made me want to practice even harder.

“I hope to be a top professional when I am older. People say that is possible but I have got to work hard and keep my academic |studies up as well.”

Kinder will travel to Dublin for a Home Internationals tournament, with England up against Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

“I am very much looking forward to the tournament,” he said. “We have got a very good chance but have won every year for the last 14 years so there is a lot to live up to.

“I have been on the court with Robbie a few times and am always there for him if he wants my advice. He is a very good prospect and has improved greatly over the past few years.”