12-year-old Alex Noakes won the under-13s category of the Italian Junior Open in Riccione recently, beating Holland's Christopher Winzer 3-0 in the final.

It was third-time lucky for Alex, who had competed in two other international finals before the victory, and his father Chris said it would be a big confidence booster for him.

"He has won lots of tournaments here but to win abroad its quite good mentally for him," he said. "He's playing for England as well so he's doing really well."

Alex, who lives in Thame and trains at both Racquets Fitness Centre in the town and also Aylesbury Squash Club, is heading to Sweden in September for the Nordic Open.

The diminutive player, who is only around 4ft6 tall, will make the jump to the under 15 category next season.

Chris added: "He's looking forward to playing in the men' s team for Aylesbury next season.

He plays at Thame in the men's team and he's beating most of them, which is good going because he's tiny. Its quite amazing."

His dream is to represent Great Britain in the Olympics- assuming the sport is reinstated in the games in the near future as it is believed it will be.
"It would be his dream to do that for sure," said Chris.

"But there's a long, long way to go yet, obviously he's only 12, but you never know."