Robyn Prentice, an international-level coach and current Australian 70-plus number one, said Warrnambool’s squash scene was in an encouraging position.

The 73-year-old, who is visiting her son and grandchildren from Brisbane, put junior and adult players through impromptu coaching sessions earlier in the week.

“They’ve got 58 kids, I’ve heard, playing here in a city this size. That’s amazing,” Prentice said.

“That’s what squash needs. We need people who put time in like they did when I was a young, budding squash player.

“I came down and had a look this week, and spent a bit of time on court with the kids. It needs work, but what I was amazed with was the enthusiasm of the kids.

“I think the people that are running it are doing a great job in getting kids out. That’s the first step. It’s easy then to groom them and to get them playing a better game.”

Prentice, who has been involved with squash for more than half a century, began coaching in 1980.

She moved to Canada in the late 1980s, spending 10 years honing her craft as the head squash professional at the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton, Alberta.

Prentice then returned to Australia, continuing her coaching and masters playing career from her south-east Queensland base.

The former Queensland state representative said she was targeting the World Masters Squash Championships, set to be held in the United States next year.

“I’m still keen to play a bit, to keep fit, but my focus is to get more kids on the court,” Prentice said.

“I’m pretty passionate about that. I want more juniors playing the sport I love, teaching them how to play it better and how to win and lose.”