Rising star bound for Boston

Waipu's Abbie Palmer has always punched above her weight since taking up squash at age four.
The Bream Bay College student has often challenged herself by playing older, more experienced competitors, and her determination to succeed has seen her achieve top results in 2011.
Recently, the 13-year-old was included in the New Zealand under-19 girls team to compete at the world under-19 Championships in Boston, US, and is the youngest-ever competitor to be selected at this age group.
"I'm pretty used to playing older opponents, so I wasn't too overwhelmed or anything when I heard I was in the team - just excited," Palmer said.
Her selection to play in the teams event and the individual event in Boston later this month, came on the back of a massive 18 months for the A-grade player.
"I guess I have done well because I work hard and have lots of support," she said.
Palmer cited former New Zealand representative Susan Devoy as a role model and mentor for her.
"We've become good friends after getting to know her through squash. If I need advice on my game or in general I often talk to Susan," Palmer said.
Devoy's three sons play squash and Palmer was fortunate to stay with Devoy and her family in Tauranga last year and in 2009, while competing in the AIMS Games.
Until March this year, Palmer was coached by Commonwealth Games medallist Shelley Kitchen, who retired from playing late last year.
However, Kitchen has recently moved to Australia with her young family, and at her suggestion, Palmer, who trains and represents North Shore Squash Club, is now coached by Mark Waldron.
"That's why I play for North Shore - because Mark is there ... It was pretty gutting when Shelley left as she was really great. I learned so much. She asked Mark to coach me, and I have adjusted well to him. He's a good coach."
When she trains at home in Waipu, her father Nelson Palmer coaches her, she added.
Palmer was selected for the New Zealand team on the back of some classy performances.
In April, she placed second at the Australian Junior Series, and last month, she travelled to Malaysia with the New Zealand squad where she won the Classic Plate in the Milo All Stars Tournament, followed by a fourth placing at the Penang International Junior Tournament.
While the Kiwi contingent of Palmer, Wellington's Rebecca Barnett, 16, Palmerston North's Danielle Fourie, 18, and headed by 18-year-old Megan Craig of Marlborough, are confident of doing well at the world under-19 championships starting on July 20, they expect top-class competition in Boston.
"There will be huge talent at the championships. Egypt are very strong, and the current under-19 world champion Amanda Sobhy from the United States is competing in her last worlds in this grade, so it will be a tough tournament," Palmer said.
The teen and her parents and the rest of the New Zealand team, leave for Boston on July 15 in time for the start of individual competition on July 20, followed by the teams competition on July 25.
After winning the Northland Open Squash Tournament last weekend, Palmer will contest the Senior National Championships in Hamilton, seeded 26th, as final preparation for the Worlds.
At the Senior Nationals in Hamilton this weekend, Northland's Sacha Pou Tito will go up against World 17th-ranked player Jaclyn Hawkes in her first round match.
World No14 Joelle King and Hawkes are on a collision course to meet in the women's final. King and Hawkes combined to win the women's doubles title in Delhi last year, but are seeded to meet in the singles final on Sunday.
King faces Wellington's Gemma Gee in the opening round today and is scheduled to meet fourth seed Kylie Lindsay in the semifinals.
Following Pou Tito, Hawkes is likely to play Wellington third seed Tamsyn Leevey in the semifinals.
The men's draw is headed by world No 47 Martin Knight, who paired with King to land the mixed doubles silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, with his stiffest challenge expected to come from the second seed and world No57 Campbell Grayson.