Welsh Wizards, the Cardiff-based team who are among the best in World squash, have called up a player from Bryn Mawr for a home match on Tuesday.
But Todd Harrity, who will play for Wizards in their Karakal Premier Squash League clash with Coolshurst, is not from the Welsh Brynmawr, in Gwent. He hails from Bryn Mawr in Pennsylvania – 3,500 miles away.
The town in America is named after the Welsh Brynmawr after Quaker Rowland Ellis emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1686. Bryn Mawr USA is located in the old Welsh Tract and was formerly known as Crankyville.
Wizards powered to a 4-1 victory against powerful St George’s Hill in their last match and will again be led by Egyptian World number 10 Marwan ElShorbagy against Coolshurst at the Sport Wales National Centre.
Welsh and British champion Tesni Evans, ranked at nine in the World, and her brother Emyr are also in the Welsh line-up.
https://youtu.be/OUPTNM341u0
The Wizards debut of American squash champion Harrity will cause a lot of interest among home fans.
He is ranked 47 in the World and was among 15 signings for Wizards’ 2019-20 PSL season.
Wizards have signed nine male players with three Egyptians plus players from Spain, Wales and England.
They include double World under-19 champion Moustafa Asal, an 18-year-old from Egypt who is ranked inside the World’s top 30.
Wizards’ two former World number threes are Marwan ElShorbagy and Omar Mosaad, both from Egypt.
The six women players signed by Wizards include players from India, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, England and Wales.
The next home fixtures for Wizards are against Coolshurst on Tuesday, November 26 and Warwick on Tuesday, January 7.
The format is three men and two women.
Tickets for Welsh Wizards next two home fixtures:
Tue 26 Nov 2019, 7:20PM
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Tue 7 Jan 2020, 7:20PM
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Welsh Wizards website – www.welshwizards.com
Wizards squad – men:
Marwan ElShorbagy
World ranking: 11 (highest 3)
Born: Alexandria, Egypt
Residence: Bristol, England
University: UWE, Bristol
Age: 26
Omar Mosaad
World ranking: 13 (highest 3)
Born: Cairo, Egypt
Residence: Cairo, Egypt
Club: Heliopoli
Age: 31
Edmon Lopez
World ranking: 59 (highest 54)
Born: Barcelona, Spain
Residence: Barcelona, Spain
Age: 23
Peter Creed
World ranking: 65 (highest 50)
Born: Caerphilly, Wales
Residence: Caerphilly, Wales
University: University of Wales, Cardiff
Club: Rhiwbina SRC
Age: 32
Emyr Evans
World ranking: 114 (highest 112)
Born: Cardiff, Wales
Residence: Cardiff, Wales
Age: 22
Elliott Morris Devred
World ranking: 251 (highest 227)
Born: Birmingham, England
Residence: Barry, Wales
Club: Leamington plus Cardiff SRC
Age: 21
James Peach
World ranking: 228 (highest 223)
Born: Doncaster, England
Resides: Bristol, England
University: UWE, Bristol
Age: 22
Moustafa Asal
World ranking: 29 (highest 29)
Born: Cairo, Egypt
Resides: Cairo, Egypt
Age: 18
Todd Harrity
World ranking: 47 (highest 44)
Born: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Resides: Bristol, England
University: Princeton
Age: 29
Women:
Tesni Evans
World ranking: 9 (highest 9)
Born: Cardiff, Wales
Resides: Rhyl, Wales
Age: 26
Joshna Chinappa
World ranking: 13 (highest 10)
Born: Chennai, India
Resides: Bristol, England
Age: 33
Rachael Chadwick
World ranking: 53 (highest 53)
Born: Chester, England
Resides: Chester, England
Club: Neston Cricket Club
Age: 29
Milou van der Heidjen
World ranking: 32 (highest 29)
Born: Veldhoven, Netherlands
Resides: Helmond, Netherlands
Age: 28
Anna Kimberley
World ranking: 76 (highest 76)
Born: Ipswich, England
Resides: Colchester, Essex
University: Trinity
Age: 24
Anna Serme
World ranking: 66 (highest 63)
Left-handed
Born: Krnov, Czech Republic
Resides: Creteil, France
University: Paris-Sorbonne
Age: 28
Welsh Wizards
Professional Squash League fixtures
Round four
Tuesday 26
Welsh Wizards v Coolhurst
Round five
Tuesday 10
RAC v Welsh Wizards
Second Half fixtures
Round six
January
Tuesday 7
Welsh Wizards v Warwick
Round seven
Dates to be arranged
St George’s v Welsh Wizards
Round eight
Wizards – no game
Round nine
Coolhurst v Welsh Wizards
Round 10
Dates to be arranged
Welsh Wizards v RAC
Semi-finals and final to be arranged
‘The’ Welsh Brynmawr?
Terry, there are several ‘Brynmawrs/Bryn Mawrs’ in this green and pleasant land.
While I grant you that the ‘Bryn Mawr, PA’ to which you refer is named after a 19th century college near Dolgellau, the biggest and by far the best-known ‘Brynmawr’ is located in Blaenau Gwent.
A population of more than 5,500 would no doubt agree that if any town of that name were to be afforded the accolade of ‘THE’ Welsh Brynmawr, then it would surely be them.
Diolch.