Victoria Bell-Squash
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28th July 2008
Although squash will not play a part in the London games, many in the sport are hopeful that it will feature in future Olympics.
Modest 18-year-old Carlisle ace Victoria -daughter of professional squash player Ronnie Bell - will continue to pursue a semi-pro path in the sport after finishing her A-Levels at North Cumbria Technology College and gearing up to go to University.
"My family are all involved in squash - with my dad being a professional and my brother playing himself, I spent a lot of time down at the club and after a while started to pick it up and have never looked back," says Victoria.
She’s not kidding. Victoria won the British under 17 championships and is the current British under 19 champion. She has represented England several times at every age group and has been part of the under 15, 17 and 19 European champion teams. She also scooped the Cumbrian junior sports personality award two years running and was the North West sports personality of the year.
"Squash, unfortunately is not an Olympic sport. It is currently been proposed to become one but has already been rejected for the 2012 Olympics," say Victoria.
"It is however a commonwealth sport. But representing England for me is a great honour no matter what stature the event holds. I will never forget each trip away I have had with the England teams and am thankful for those opportunities I have been given."
"My training can depend on whether I will be competing in events. An average week will be six days training, with trips to Manchester to visit my coach (the England coach). They are long days but I have been very lucky as Lloyds mini have sponsored me with a car, which I am very grateful for as it has made it a lot easier for me and my family to get there."
Victoria doesn’t have a specific diet and just tries to keep it balanced and healthy without too many sugary sweets and snacks.
"I don’t have anything I cant eat, I just have to eat the right things and make sure I am fuelling myself correctly for the training I have to do,"
Victoria continues.
"I want to be the best I can be. My ultimate goal would be to make it to the top. I just have to focus on training and improving as much as I can. If I do this, then the rest will come."