Squash siblings do mum proud

JACE Mallet may be only 12 but she is ready to represent her state in squash.

Later this year Jace will represent Queensland at the Australian Junior Championships in Hobart.

It's a big achievement for the tiny athlete.

"I was really excited, it's been my dream," Jace said.

"It's been my goal to get in the team."

But Jace's mum Kylie Myles said getting into the team hadn't been an easy task.

"It's a tough road to get into the Queensland Junior Championships," Kylie said.

"They have had to travel to Emerald, Rocky, Bundaberg and Gladstone and you must do a compulsory tournament.

"So they must attend that if they want to be elected in the QJC.

"So it's not just 'I want to play squash today' you have to work all year to get there."

It was from the QJC that Jace was selected for the Queensland team.

Being selected into the Queensland team has been a tough feat for the 12-year-old who has placed third for the past two years.

This year Jace again placed third but this is the first time she will be in the Queensland team.

"Last year they only took first and second but this year they have taken first to third because the other states do," Kylie said.

"We were pretty excited when she got picked.

"She was hanging on a shoe string whether she was or she wasn't because when she played in the individuals her ranking went to fourth.

"But then when she played in the teams, because she played so well in her first game it shot her back into being selected.

"So it was a bit of touch-and-go there for a minute."

Playing in the championships also means Jace will receive an Australian ranking which opens up Jace's chances to compete in more Australian comps.

Jace's siblings Paige, 10, and Daley, 9, also competed in the QJC.

The Mallet children were chosen for the Central Bulls team and also competed individually.

The trio's dedication to the courts paid off as Daley achieved fourth place overall, while Paige is now ranked second in Queensland, and Jace is ranked third.

The Australian Junior Championships are for players 12 and up, and Jace was thrilled to make it on to the Queensland team.

"I'm excited," Jace said.

"At the end of this competition, I'll have an Australian ranking.

"We practice three times a week and I love it.

"When I'm older I really want to get into the under-17s and get chosen for the Australian team to play against other countries."

Jace's wish may come true sooner than she thinks.

Her mum Kylie said she was very proud of her children.

"They've done really well to get this far," she said.

Kylie said they had great coaching from A-grade players Dean Shipman and their father Daryl Myles.