TENNIS

Having spent the last 14 years travelling to all corners of the globe competing on the international squash circuit Parke, the former world No 3, has less than a two-minute walk from his home in Nottingham to the venue.

England, hosts of the event for the first time in 25 years, are seeded to retain both titles and the centre's famous squash neighbour aims to play a key role in keeping the men's trophy in England.

The Championships, which feature 37 teams from 23 countries, represent the biggest team event in the sport ever to be staged in England. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the championships which were first held at Edinburgh in 1973.

Parke, who based himself in Nottingham to be part of a key coaching network, having grown up in Knaresborough and Harrogate, has conquered testicular cancer and ankle surgery in his illustrious career.

The championships will mark his 10th England appearance in the event since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 1990.

Parke moved to Nottingham eight years ago to train with his friend Peter Marshall, then world No2.

"It is fantastic for the laziness in me to have the event at my home club in Nottingham. Even though I live in the same road as the club, I am often tempted to drive - and I get a lot of stick when my car is seen in the club car park," said the 30-year-old former pupil at Harrogate's Ashville College.

"It's great to have the event back in England. Hopefully everybody remotely interested in squash in the region will know it's on and want to come along and cheer us on," said the former Harrogate Squash Club's Yorkshire League star, whose Nottingham club has 10 courts.

Parke recalls with fondness his European debut in Zurich in 1990 when England beat Germany to lift the title. "I was the rookie, but I won all my matches and it was a great experience. There is always a fantastic atmosphere at the Europeans, with matches always played in a great spirit with strong nations mixing with those that are not so strong - and everything rounded off with a big party."

His third appearance in 1992 in Aix-en-Provence in France was also memorable - England lost to Scotland in the semi-finals, thereby failing to make the finals for the only time in 30 years.

Ironically it was Parke's team-mate Peter Nicol, the world No1 making his England debut this year after defecting from Scotland two years ago, who won the deciding match which caused England's demise.

"It was an unbelievably close contest, with all matches finishing 3/2, but what I remember most vividly was how everybody was cheering for Scotland - led by the Welsh. And Alex Gough, now my good friend, was the ring leader," recalled Parke.

Favourites England are expected to face No2 seeds France in Sunday's final for the fourth successive year.

Parke is joined in the England squad by three other Yorkshire players. They are Peter Nicol, himself a former Harrogate Squash Club Yorkshire League star; Lee Beachill and James Willstrop (both Pontefract). The only non-Yorkshireman is Lincolnshire's Mark Chaloner.

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Ups and downs

Men's section: division one: Norton champions, Sunderland H and RC runners-up; Chester-le-Street relegated.

Division two: Norton II promoted winners, Aykley Heads second; Darlington III and Redcar II relegated.

Division three: Aycliffe and Bannatyne's HC promoted, Sedgefield II and Dolphin relegated.

Division 4A - Sunderland H and RC II promoted, Norton IV relegated.

Division 4B - Nunthorpe IV promoted, Redcar III relegated.

Division 5A - Chester-le-Street II promoted, David Lloyd HC relegated.

Division 5B - Chester-le-Street III promoted, Redcar IV relegated.

Division six - Nunthorpe V and Sedgefield IV promoted.

Women's section: division one - Darlington champions, Chester-le-Street runners-up; Norton relegated.

Division two - Darlington II promoted winners, Darlington III second.

Inter-county championships

The men's over 35 team were the most successful for Durham and Cleveland as the end of the season final tables have revealed gaining promotion from division one to the premier division for the first time. Generally, the county had mixed fortunes, but there were two other promotion, though two teams suffered relegation in contrast.

End of season

Seniors: men - Division One North promotion group; kept status - 1 Shropshire 45 points; 2 East Scotland 39; 3 Durham and Cleveland 30; 4 Warwicks 27.

Women - Division Two North promotion group; promoted; 1 Warwicks 47, 2 D and C 44, 3 Northumbria 25, 4 Oxfords 19.

Juniors

U19 boys - division two promotion group; promoted; 1 D and C 35, 2 Avon 25, 3 West Wales 16, 4 Northumbria 0.

U17 boys - Division One North promotion group; kept status; 1 Notts 57, 2 Cheshire 35, 3 Cumbria 33, 4 D and C 5.

U15 boys - Division One North relegation group; relegated, 1 Leics 23, 2 Cumbria 22, 3 Lancs 21, 4 D and C withdrew.

U13 boys - Division One North relegation group; kept status; 1 D and C 60, 2 Merseyside 32, 3 Derbys 26, 4 Leics 11.

Veterans

Over 35 men - Division One North promotion group; promoted; 1 D and C 54, 2 Yorks 34, 3 Warwicks 33, 4 Gloucs 6.

Over 45 men - Division One North promotion group; kept status; 1 Lancs 60, 2 D and C 34, 3 Warwicks 23, 4 Lincs 19.

Over 55 men - Premier Division relegation group; relegated; 1 Surrey 57, 2 Hants 37, 3 Cambs 26, 4 D and C 18