Striving to be the best in the world, homegrown Devon professional squash player Lyell Fuller is seeking sponsorship to help reach his goal. KATE WILLAMS finds out more
For someone who began playing squash at four years old, it may not come as a huge surprise that Lyell Fuller is ranked in the world’s top 100 for his sport.
Exeter-born Lyell is a driven sportsman with a Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour title under his belt and a current world ranking of 88 – a rise of 320 places since 2014.
But this isn’t enough for Lyell. He is hungry for more. His aims are high now he has reached his dream of becoming a professional squash player. He wants to be the best in the world, winning super series tournaments – an achievable goal in the eyes of this dedicated young professional.
Lyell, 22, explains: “I started playing when I was four with a miniature racket, jumping on court with my older brother who played at the time. It’s been a long journey since then.
“I’ve known from a young age I wanted to be a professional and to be travelling the world playing now is a dream come true.
“I recently moved into the top 100 in the world after my first professional title win in Philadelphia USA. Now ranked at 88, I’m three years into my career to become one of the top players in the world.”
Lyell, who is now based in Wimbledon, spent years playing the England junior tournament circuit across the country from the ages of 13-19.
Ferried around by his mother, who still lives in Exeter, Lyell says he owes her so much for the time she spent living the junior circuit with him.
Improving quickly, he moved to Wycliffe College boarding school – the national school champions for squash – on a scholarship. From that school, he was scouted for England and played for them internationally, reaching the top eight in the world for juniors, which helped him decide, after school, to join the PSA world tour full-time.
Now seeking sponsorship, Lyell explains: “My future ambition is to be the best in the world, winning super series tournaments. However, until I’m ranked in the top 40 in the sport it doesn’t provide enough funding to reach my goal.
“I believe the next three to four years is vital. I’ve been fortunate to have financial support from my parents, however, I realise their support alone is not enough to fund my business as a professional squash player requiring me to travel the world for tournaments.
“I am now in need of financial support at this critical stage in my career and I am committed in fostering a relationship of mutual support. In return I can endorse, advertise and promote your organisation.
“My ideal sponsor would be one of mutual benefit who is interested in my squash career and being part of my team in the journey to the top.”
For further information on sponsorship opportunities, e-mail lyell.fuller@yahoo.com
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
World ranked 88 (rise of 320 places since 2014)
One PSA World Tour title and two PSA finals
‘England Squash’ academy player
European Team Championship Gold medallist (under-19)
KEY GOALS FOR 2019:
PSA top 50 world ranking
Top five England ranking
Two further PSA World Tour titles
FUTURE AMBITIONS:
World Champion
Top ten in the world
Commonwealth Games
Winning super series (grand slams of squash )
And playing in the Olympics if the sport gets into Paris 2024
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