Inverness squash player looking for more opportunities to represent Scotland on the international stage as he wins Highland and Islands Squash Association tournament
ALASDAIR Prott says he is looking to use his victory at the Highland and Islands Squash Association tournament in Inverness as a benchmark for further success at national and international level this season.
The 23-year-old came out on top when he won the HISA tournament at Inverness Tennis and Squash Club on Sunday as the association celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Prott had an impressive 2024, when he represented Scotland at the World Team Championships in Hong Kong in November.
Now he is looking to represent his country again and be selected to play for Scotland at the European Team Championships in May.
He says he is in good enough form that he is in a good position that he will be selected to play for Scotland again.
He said: “I am looking forward to the European Team Championships later this year, we have one more selection event, but I am in pole position to be selected for the squad which is always a goal.
“Also I am looking forward to the Scottish national championships which is in Inverness in May. It is a big carrot for me to perform well at these events.”
He helped Scotland to 10th place at the World Team Championships in Hong Kong in November.
Prott says representing Scotland against the best in the world has been the highlight of his career so far.
He said: “It is always a pleasure being able to play for your country and in a place like Hong Kong, it was an amazing experience to travel and compete over there.
“To also do it with the men’s and women’s team by my side, it is a special event.
“Every time I get to play for Scotland whether it is the European Team Championship which I have played three times or on the World Team Championship which I have played twice, it is a great honour and ranks up with the best achievements of my career.”
Prott was one of three Highland players who were in the Scotland squad at the World Team Championships. Greg Lobban from North Kessock and Martin Ross from Inverness were also named in the squad.
With the success of Highland players in Scottish squash in recent years, Prott says he is looking to carry on the reputation of the Highlands being a powerhouse in the national game.
He said: “It is good to be part of and it shows where the credit is due to the people behind the scenes that can develop players like myself, Alan Clyne, Greg Lobban and Martin Ross.
“We have an array of coaches over the years, but they have done a great job to prepare ourselves to play at this level of squash we are getting to now.”
Speaking about winning the HISA tournament in Inverness last weekend, Prott said: “It definitely meant a lot to win the title, Highlands and Islands Squash has been a big part of my development as a player. I was thankful that I was able to get my name on the trophy. It was a good weekend of competition with some good matches along the way.
“It was a good final with Finlay Scott as he has shown through the Scottish tournaments that his level is always increasing. It was my first competitive match since the World Team Championships in December.
“Playing on the PSA tour always takes me to interesting places and I am looking forward to see what 2025 has to offer. The competition is always fierce and I am looking to do what I can to separate myself from the pack I am in just now.”