Representing New Zealand is a dream of many young squash players, and Bay of Plenty's Joe Smythe is living it out to the fullest.

The junior squash athlete is attending the World Junior Squash Championships, which is running from August 11 to 21.

Originally scheduled to be in St Petersburg, Russia, SunLive spoke with Joe just before leaving New Zealand to touch down in the tournaments new location of Nancy, France.

Joe is 'excited” to engage in a new culture, and face off against the best junior players in the sport.

'I've played in a lot of tournaments and competed in a couple previously overseas, but nothing like this one coming up.”

Joe's been 'pretty lucky” with his run of international tournaments, competing in Boston for a junior open in 2019, and Malaysia when he was 'about 13”.

He says the thing he is most looking forward to about competing in France is the team aspect of the sport, as he is competing both in the individual event and the men's junior team championships.

'Squash is a bit of an individual sport, so it's going to be great to experience some team culture, and have people cheering for each other.”

Joe has been balancing training for the upcoming tournament with his studies at Waikato University. He says that he trains 'two times a day” and looks to compete in tournaments during weekends.

Joe's parents live in Tauranga, and he says they will be coming with him to the international tournament to support him.

'They're pretty excited. It will be really cool to have them there to watch.”

The upcoming tournament will truly be a full-circle moment for Joe and his father, who first got him into the sport at the age of seven.

'My dad went down one club night and I tagged along, he's brought me ever since.”

Joe says he is looking forward to the ‘fierce competition' as the tournament has a massive draw of 128 junior athletes.

'It's quite different to playing nationally in New Zealand, a lot of those guys I am friendly with, so it's quite a change playing overseas.”

Joe is set to return to New Zealand with his family on September 7, where in between he hopes to engage in French culture and experience a new cuisine.

'I'm not really too sure what to expect. A lot of peolpe tell me it is an awesome place, I'm really looking forward to experiencing all it has to offer.”