Bay of Plenty's Scott Devoy has returned to Tauranga this week for the World Junior Squash Championships - being hosted by the city for the first time.

The former player is now head coach for the USA junior women's team, who are aiming for their first world title win.

Scott's pleased to be back in New Zealand, and helping the girls train at the venue bearing his family name – the Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre.

'It's a unique experience being back home again,” he says. 'It's a great chance to show off where I came from.”

Scott is, of course, the nephew of New Zealand's great squash champion Dame Susan Devoy, who is also helping out at the centre this week.

Scott himself first picked up a racket at age six, meaning he has almost 35 years' experience in the fast-paced sport.

'For me, as a young guy, I used squash as an opportunity to travel and see the world. The way it turned out is I've spent 14 years in the USA,” he says, explaining how he's come to be a coach on the American team.

There a six boys and six girls representing the USA in the individual and team events – a strong cohort, Scott says, and a testament to the support from US Squash.

'They look after us very well, allowing us to take along this many players to each championship. It provides the players with experience, which is often what success comes down to.”

He says his players are all of a high calibre this year, being top 16 or better in the world. After coming second to Egypt in the last three women's team championships, they will be hoping fourth time's the charm.

'We would love to see people come down to watch the matches,” says Scott. 'Obviously they'll want to back New Zealand, but if not, feel free to get behind the USA as well.”

To find out more about the World Junior Squash Championships, visit www.wsfworldjuniors.com