Gempton performs on squash court

Richard Harvey | 28th November 2009

HE WAS named after a National Rugby League player but it's not a football that Braith Gempton is proving to be a hit with.

Maryborough seven-year-old Braith Gempton took on the adults after he replaced a veteran squash player.

Valerie Horton

HE WAS named after a National Rugby League player but it’s not a football that Braith Gempton is proving to be a hit with.

The seven-year-old is serving up some impressive performances on a squash court, particularly the one during the Jack McKinley Memorial Masters at the Maryborough Squash and Fitness Centre in Granville.

Young Braith, who was named after Sydney Roosters player Braith Anasta despite his parents Michael and Tanya being fans of the Parramatta Eels, showed no signs of being overawed when he was asked to play in the tournament at the last minute.

One of the players, 80-year-old Murray Gaydon from Brisbane, wasn’t feeling well on the morning of the event so Braith, whose parents own the centre, stepped in to take his place.

He went on to win one of the three games he played.

Not a bad effort when you consider he has only been playing the game for 12 months since his parents bought the centre and he was playing against players so much older.

His mother said he had enjoyed every minute of the experience.

“He had a ball – there is no doubt about that,” she said.

“Braith just loves playing squash but I guess you could say that it’s in his blood as both Michael and I play it.”

As for his name, Tanya said her son had no choice after they discovered they were having a boy.

“Although he wasn’t playing for the Eels, I liked Braith Anasta so that was it,” she laughed.