RISING star Patrick Rooney is to play an exhibition match at Kendal Squash Club next week.

The event, which forms part of the club's 50th anniversary celebrations, will take place next Friday, October 11.

Fresh from victory at the Madeira Open, Rooney will take on fellow professional Connor Sheen in an exhibition match.

Prior to this, the pair will then carry out a coaching session with club members before each will play one of Kendal’s best players.

Spectators are welcome and there will be no charge for entry.

Rooney is a former European junior champion who is currently competing on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour.

He is currently ranked number 8 in England and is coached by former national coach David Pearson, who himself played at Kendal as a junior.

“It’s going to be fantastic to see top-level squash in Kendal," said event organiser Alistair Pease.

"We hope it will inspire new interest in a great sport, and that we can encourage more local people to use our facilities.”

And the following day, Saturday, October 12, the club, which is based at the far end of the Brewery Arts Centre car parkwill have an open house from 10.30am to 2.30pm as part of 'World Squash Day' when hundreds of venues showcase the sport to their local communities.

Email info@kendalsquash.com for more details.