It is hard to know what is more impressive about Robyn McAlpine: the fact that she has achieved so much at such a tender age or that she is still so remarkably relaxed about it all.
The Scotstoun athlete is preparing to take part in her first junior (under-19) world squad championships in Australia, the latest landmark moment in a year already peppered with highs.
As well as becoming the first player to be crowned under-17, under-19 and under-23 national champion all in the same year, the 16-year-old also enjoyed a maiden call-up to the senior Scotland squad in April, another step on a journey that she hopes will culminate in her becoming a professional athlete at some point in the not-too-distant future.
McAlpine has travelled to Melbourne alongside Louisa Kaven, Anna Halliday and Rowan Niven as the first Scottish women’s team to take part in this event for 18 years. The occasion and surroundings will no doubt induce pressure and expectation like never before but the key to McAlpine’s success has been to remain calm amid the maelstrom. She hopes that approach will continue to serve her well.
“I’m pretty excited about it all,” she admits. “I’ve played in big tournaments before like the junior British Open but this one feels pretty different. Scottish girls have played as individuals at the worlds over the years but it’s the first time we’ve sent a team since 2005 so it’s quite a big deal.
“It’s great to have the girls here with me as I’ve trained or played alongside them all before so we’re all quite close. It’s all happened for me sooner than I’d expected to be honest. If someone had told me a year ago I’d be playing in the worlds I’d have been like ‘what on earth?’
“It’s probably just down to working hard and learning as much as I can. Plus I enjoy it so it doesn’t really feel like hard work going to training or playing in tournaments. I still see it as good fun.
“I started squash when I was in primary school aged 10 – I just really wanted to beat my friends at it! I also did football, running and badminton but seemed to do well at squash so just stuck at it.
“Sometimes I feel a bit of pressure when I’m playing but not a lot. I try not to put pressure on myself and just go with the flow. I tend to play my best when I’m just enjoying it. That’s the most important thing I reckon, just to have fun if you can and not get too stressed.”
All being well, this ought to be the first of many world championship appearances for McAlpine. The Martin Woods-trained prospect has just completed her Highers at Jordanhill School with a view to going to university but already has her sights set on turning professional some day.
To that end, she pays tribute to new Scotland team-mate Georgia Adderley, who has served as an inspiration in these nascent steps through her own squash career.
“Being with the Scotland squad and around professionals was a whole different experience, just the way they go into tournaments and how they act when they’re there,” she says. “It gave me a taste of that lifestyle and I’d love to turn pro one day. I think I’ll go to uni and after that I’ll look to turn full time.
“I’ve always looked up to Georgia as she was in the junior bracket when I was just starting out. She was winning British champs and things like that so I was really inspired by that. If I could match what she’s done so far I’d have a pretty good career.”
McAlpine’s achievement in lifting all three national titles – including beating opponents seven years her elder– was made even more impressive by the fact that two of those tournaments took place on the same day.
“I had the under-23 event maybe two or three weeks before the junior nationals,” she recalls. “And then the juniors all took place on the one day. I played my under-17 final and then I was back on court an hour later for the under-19 final. That was quite tough but it was so nice to win both on the same day.”
Like most athletes, none of this would have been possible for McAlpine – whose younger brother Cailean is another rising squash talent – without the support of her parents. And while they can’t be with her in Australia, dad Scott says they will be following every step from home.
“Robyn’s journey has been pretty incredible so far,” he said. “She’s only 16 but she’s achieved a lot so far. She’s done well, winning tournaments in Europe and things like that, but what impresses me most is her attitude and the way she’s been able to balance her school life with her squash life.
“It’s pretty full on as a parent taking them everywhere but it’s all worthwhile when you see them doing well and enjoying it. That’s still the most important thing.”
