Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club’s junior coaching sessions have received a welcome boost for 2012/13 thanks to taste*.

The cafe and restaurant in Trinity Street in the county town is sponsoring the youth section over the forthcoming year with the aim of attracting more children to pick up a squash racquet.

The junior division, based at the club in Sawmills Lane, Weymouth Avenue, was started four years ago and in that short time has produced talented young squash players who have not only represented the club, the county and the South West region but are also nationally ranked.

Club chairman Lyn Stockham said: “Having the support and sponsorship of chef and owners Todd and Louise Moffat of taste* will enable more children to become involved in squash, and provide the support for them to progress to an even higher standard when representing their home town.”

Club coach Stewart Dipple added: “This considerable investment in local sport has provided every child with kit and equipment free of charge across the three Saturday morning’s coaching age groups.”

Janet Biles, co-ordinator of Junior Squash across Dorset, went on to say: “In four short years the members and committee of Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club has implemented and provided a junior squash section that goes from strength to strength in terms of getting local children involved in squash, and producing county and regional standard players, as well as players in a number of age groups who are nationally ranked with England Squash.”

Junior squash on Saturday mornings at the county town club continues to improve and develop. The sessions are more popular than ever with each session running to capacity.

The youngest group trains from 9am-9.45am and is well represented with children as young as five enjoying squash and focusing on foundation sport skills and having fun.

The middle group (eight-11 years-olds) takes place from 9.45am-10.30am and uses all three courts at the club, which allows them to progress onto more challenging skills and match play.

The older group (12-16-year-olds) then follows at 10.30am-11.30am and encompasses a high standard of junior squash with a view to competing in the healthy number of internal leagues as well as representing the club in team matches.

A number of the juniors are also representing Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club in the Dorset County Junior Grand Prix competitions. Those playing for the club include Oliver Moffat, Robyn Moffat, Tom Cramp, Fergus Johnson, Calum Watts, Ben Skidmore, Sam McIntyre, Yolanda Jeffrey, Kerr Jeffrey, and Oscar Rudd.

The number and quality of junior players at Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club has enabled the county town outfit to rise to second in the Dorset County Junior Club League table.

From this pool of talented Dorchester junior squash players, a number have gone on to represent the Dorset County team in the South West region in their respective age groups. These include Oliver Moffat (under-11), Robyn Moffat at (under-13), Calum Watts (under-13), Tom Cramp (under-15) and Ben Skidmore and Sam McIntyre (both under-17).

The popularity of the junior squash section has also enabled the club to organise a Junior Championship this year.

Robyn Moffat was successful in winning the under-13 competition with Cramp prevailing in the incredibly competitive under-15 competition. Moffat and Cramp were also selected to represent the South West Region squash team in their respective age categories.

Todd Moffat, chef and owner of taste*, said: “We are pleased and proud to be involved and supporting junior squash in our county town.

“We are looking forward to working in partnership and sponsoring local children at the popular and vibrant Dorchester Junior squash section in what will undoubtedly be another successful season.

“All the team at taste* wish each junior the best of luck in the upcoming season.”