Good Sports: Finn Trimble

Finn Trimble. Photo / Supplied

Whangarei teenager Finn Trimble is a bit of a jack-of-all trades. Not only is Finn one of Northland's - and New Zealand's - top squash players but he knows his way around a cricket pitch. Finn splits his time between squash in winter, where he is part of the New Zealand Squash Development Squad, and cricket in summer. This Whangarei Boys' High School student is certainly one to watch out for in the future.

How do you feel your season has gone? What would be your highs and lows?

My season has gone pretty well. My highs would be being selected into the New Zealand Secondary Schools' junior team to play against the Australia Secondary Schools' team in August, which we won, selection into the New Zealand Development Squad for 2013 and 2014 and reaching B1 grade. My low would be losing in the final of the Under-15 Nationals.

When you think back to when you first started playing, did you ever see yourself being as good as you are now?

No I didn't but once I started playing tournaments when I was about 10 or 11 I knew I wanted to be the best I could be. I get great support from my club, Whangarei Squash Club, and the Whangarei Academy of Squash and coaching from Jared Gravatt and Mike Hebditch. I am also really lucky to be sponsored by Harrow and Karen and Peter from the Northland Racket Shop.

How did you get involved with squash? What's your favourite part about it?

I used to go along to squash with mum and watch when I was little, then when I was 10 we went along to Juniors at Whangarei Squash Club. Not long after that I started playing in junior tournaments and was hooked, I loved it. My favourite part is meeting lots of friends from all over New Zealand and travelling to different places. It's a fast game, you have to keep fit and it never gets cancelled.

You also play cricket, any other sports? What is your favourite and why?

I am a wicketkeeper/batsman for Whangarei Boys' High School and also for the Northland Junior Secondary Schools' team. I like squash best in the winter and cricket best in the summer. The squash Nationals are always held in the October school holidays and that's pretty much the end of the squash season so then I focus on my cricket. I enjoy both sports so I am going to keep playing both. I used to play soccer but it was hard to fit in.

Your brother is also a handy squash player, do you enjoy playing with and against him? I know I like playing my brothers in any game so I can have bragging rights!

Yes, its good for me that Max plays squash as well as I always have someone to train with and have a game with. I don't really enjoy playing against him in tournaments because it's hard to take it seriously.