Simon Herbert & Georgina Kennedy Win 2026 British National Titles

Simon Herbert and Georgina Kennedy were crowned 2026 British National Squash Champions at St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club in Weybridge.

Herbert claimed his maiden British Nationals title with a hard-fought straight-games victory over No.4 seed Sam Todd, while British No.1 Kennedy added a second championship crown to her growing list of achievements after overcoming No.2 seed Jasmine Hutton in four games.

For Herbert, the title capped a remarkable week in which the 24-year-old surrendered just one game across the tournament. Ranked World No.56, he arrived in Weybridge having never previously progressed beyond the opening round of the British Nationals, but produced the tournament of his career to date to rewrite that record in emphatic fashion.

After negotiating victories over Ismail Khalil, Curtis Malik and Perry Malik, Herbert faced his toughest examination of the week against Todd in the final. Despite the occasion and the quality of the opposition, he maintained the aggressive approach that had carried him through the draw.

The opening two games were closely contested, with Herbert repeatedly applying pressure in the front corners and using his attacking instincts to keep Todd under pressure. He edged the first 11-9 before another tightly fought game went Herbert’s way 12-10.

Todd attempted to alter the pattern in the third, making greater use of height and looking to extend the rallies. The fourth seed created opportunities to force a fourth game, but was unable to convert two game balls as Herbert seized the initiative during the decisive exchanges.

The Englishman closed out an 11-9 12-10 13-11 victory after 50 minutes, completing an extraordinary transformation from first-round exit to British champion in the space of a single tournament.

In the women's final, Georgina Kennedy produced a composed performance of her own to claim a second British Nationals crown. The World No.8 defeated World No.12 Jasmine Hutton in a high-quality 53-minute final.

The opening game set the tone for an absorbing contest, with neither player willing to give ground. Hutton recovered from 10-7 down to level the score at 10-10, only for top seed Kennedy to remain composed and take the game 13-11.

Kennedy continued to apply pressure in the second and moved to within one game of the title after securing it 11-7. Hutton, however, responded with the attacking intent that has characterised her own successful career, taking command of the third game and reducing the deficit with an emphatic 11-2 victory.

The momentum appeared to be shifting, but Kennedy responded decisively. A change of ball at the beginning of the fourth game helped the top seed regain control, and her precise hitting and consistency enabled her to dictate the crucial exchanges.

Kennedy eventually completed an impressive 13-11 11-7 2-11 11-6 victory to reclaim the British Nationals title and add her name to the roll of honour for a second time.

2026 British National Squash Championships, St George's Hill LTC, Weybridge, England
Men's Final:
[5] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt [4] Sam Todd (ENG) 11-9, 12-10, 13-11 (50m)

Women's Final:
[1] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [2] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 13-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-6 (54m)
 
Men's Semi-Finals:
[4] Sam Todd (ENG) bt [1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 (37m)
[5] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt [6] Perry Malik (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 11-2 (28m)
 
Women's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [4] Torrie Malik (ENG) 12-10, 11-4, 11-2 (29m)
[2] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt [3] Lucy Turmel (ENG) 11-3, 11-9, 13-11 (37m)

UNSQUASHABLE player John Meehan made an impressive competitive debut for the brand at the 2026 British National Squash Championships, overcoming England's Ben Smith in a fiercely contested five-game encounter at St George's Hill LTC in Weybridge, England.

The Scotland No.1 produced a composed and resilient performance to prevail 11-8 7-11 11-9 9-11 11-9, edging a closely fought contest in which neither player was able to establish sustained control.

John made a positive start, taking the opening game 11-8, but Smith responded strongly to level the match at one game apiece. The Scotsman regained the advantage by edging another tight third game 11-9, only for Smith to force a deciding game after claiming the fourth by the same score.

With the match finely balanced, John held his nerve in the crucial fifth game. The UNSQUASHABLE player maintained his composure through the closing exchanges to secure another 11-9 game and complete an impressive victory on his first competitive appearance representing UNSQUASHABLE.

The result provides an excellent start to John's association with the brand and highlights his competitive qualities against strong domestic opposition. Winning a five-game battle on such an important stage demonstrates the determination, resilience and composure that will be valuable as he continues his development at the highest level of British squash.

For UNSQUASHABLE, John's winning debut at the British National Championships marks an exciting beginning to what promises to be a successful partnership.

Men's 1st Round:
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Heston Malik (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 11-3 (34m)
[7] Rhys Evans (WAL) bt Bailey Malik (ENG) 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-6 (83m)
John Meehan (SCO) bt [8] Ben Smith (ENG) 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9 (81m)
[4] Sam Todd (ENG) bt Oliver Tate (ENG) 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 (33m)
[3] Curtis Malik (ENG) bt Ismail Khalil (ENG) 11-6, 11-2, 11-6 (30m)
[5] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt Jake Sim-Baskar (ENG) 11-3, 11-2, 11-7 (27m)
[6] Perry Malik (ENG) bt Kylen Calder (ENG) 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 (22m)
[2] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Dylan Roberts (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (38m)

Women's 1st Round:
[1] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Alison Thomson (SCO) 11-4, 11-6, 11-1 (27m)
[5] Grace Gear (ENG) bt Olivia Owens (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 5-11, 11-7 (46m)
[6] Saran Nghiem (ENG) bt Isabel McCullough (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (30m)
[4] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Robyn McAlpine (SCO) 13-11, 11-5, 11-8 (32m)
[3] Lucy Turmel (ENG) bt Olivia Besant (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (20m)
[7] Alicia Mead (ENG) bt Katie Malliff (ENG) 9-11, 13-11, 12-10, 15-13 (46m)
[8] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt Amelie Haworth (ENG) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (31m)
[2] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt Ellie Breach (WAL) 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 (25m)