All Golds v Newcastle Thunder KPL1 2016 - FINAL_2

acked up some serious air
miles, playing in tournaments in
the USA, Canada, India, Macau,
Switzerland and Sweden.
Tom turned pro at 18 after
finishing his education at
Cheltenham’s Bournside school.
From Monday to Friday he is
based in Bristol where he trains
under the guidance of coach
Hadrian Stiff. “With squash
being an individual sport I can
mix up my training regime. I
train Monday to Friday in Bristol
then spend my weekends in
Cheltenham. I don’t have to stick
to a set plan - I like the flexibility
of being my own boss. A lot of
my time is spent either in the
gym building up my strength
and stamina or on court with my
coach working on my game.”
Squash is a sport that tests
both a player’s physical and
mental capabilities. The game
mimics the hardest cardio and
aerobic workout you can get.
Constant running and following
the ball, coupled with making
hard, consistent contact with the
ball and your racquet are tiring.
Not only do you need supreme
physical fitness but you need
to mentally prepare for where
your next hit is going to come.
A successful player needs to get
inside his opponent’s head and
anticipate what kind of shot he’s
going to play so he can be one
step ahead.
Tom says the support of his
parents was crucial in the early
years. “I’ve wanted to be a
professional squash player since
I was about ten years old. My
parents used to drive me all over
the country to junior events, their
support enabled me to progress
up the junior system which gave
me the opportunity to turn
professional.”
While training full-time and
competing internationally Ford
also finds the time to organise
the annual East Glos Doubles
Tournament. “This year it’s taking
place on June 4-5 at the East
Glos Squash Club. Essentially it’s
a pro-am so it gives recreational
players the chance to compete
with full time professionals.
Anyone can enter, it’s a really
good way of bringing everyone
together regardless of their
standard to have a good time
and get out on the court.”
When asked to name a career
highlight, the answer didn’t take
much thought. “Late last year
I won back-to-back titles in
Canada - the Goodlife Open in
Ottawa then, two weeks later,
the Saskatoon Boast Open.
They were $10,000 events and
winning them gave me a huge
amount of confidence and saw
my world ranking improve.
“I’m really enjoying things at
the moment. I hope to get the
opportunity to win again and
carry on improving my world
ranking.”
If you want to contact Tom or are
interested in entering the East
Glos Doubles Tournament email
him at tomfordsquash@gmail.
com
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