Coll, Watts capture national squash titles
- Dave Worsley
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
New Zealand squash star Paul Coll has won his eighth title while a new women’s champion has been crowned at the 2025 New Zealand Squash Championships.
World No. 3 Coll eased through his early round matches before meeting No. 2 seed Elijah Thomas in the men’s final at the North Shore Squash Club.
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Thomas was impressive in the first game, hitting a series of winners to stay with Coll before the Greymouth squash star pulled away to win 11-9.
From there Coll displayed his class, returning everything Thomas sent his way to take the next two games comfortably, 11-7, 11-6.
“Eight national titles definitely makes me feel old!” said Coll post match.
“I’m super proud to have that many titles and it’s been great to get back here and see the future of squash in New Zealand. I’m definitely a little sore now and I’m feeling every bit of 33 but I enjoyed every minute of it.”
The women’s final saw an epic five game battle between 19-year-old Ella Lash who won the Midlands PSA Challenger last week and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games athlete Kaitlyn Watts.
Lash took it to Watts from the outset, looking confident to claim the first game.
From there it was an even match with both athletes showcasing a great brand of squash to enter the final game locked at two-all.
Watts' experience paid off in the end, the 24-year-old holding her composure to claim the final game and her first national title in a 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7 victory.
“There were a lot of nerves out there but I’m really glad I dug in and gave it everything,” said Watts. “Ella’s been playing really well and it was a great battle.”
