Jacob and Ethan Bird and Tanai O’Brien successfully negotiated their way through tough draws at the NSW titles earlier this month to win through to nationals.

Jacob, 14, finished second in the under 15s division while younger brother Ethan, 11, was third in the under 13s. Nine-year-old Tanai finished second in the under 11s division.

The three have contested the State titles for the past three years but this is the first time they have won selection to nationals.

Gloucester High year 9 student Jacob has been a revelation since taking up the sport just under four years ago.

Already he is matching it with the best senior players in Gloucester and also competes in the Forster competition each week. Squash has come in handy as he aims to complete his bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. 

The award requires a community service component which Jacob is fulfilling through coaching younger players at Gloucester squash centre.

Younger brother Ethan has also taken a shine to the sport. While still only in year 6, he is already competing against adults and has a current national ranking inside the top 15.

Tanai O’Brien is only in year 4 but finished second at the State titles against players more than two years her senior.

She will not compete at nationals, which caters only for players in the under 13s, 15s, 17s and 19s, but has a bright future ahead of her