Meet the Cross Court Team
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Michael Abbotson
DIRECTOR
Michael joined the set up in its infancy and, with a background in ops management in the technology sector, helped propel Cross Court from a blog into a data analysis company. Michael sorted out the company finances and branding, giving us our recognisable blue and yellow colours and trademark swoosh logo, updated the website, and is the inspiration behind the About Us video. Michael leads on promoting our services to universities and squash clubs in the United States.
Away from the screen, you’ll find Michael at his DIY bench or behind his Virtual Reality headset. A military background means you’d be going some to out press-up Michael. On the squash court, just be sure not to leave anything mid-court: his cross court kill needs no second invitation. If you’ve got any questions for Michael, feel free to contact him on michael@crosscourtanalytics.com.
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James Brunton
DIRECTOR
James graduated with a Masters in computer science from the University of York and currently works as a software engineer. And it was James’ programming skills that allowed Cross Court Analytics to really take off. James has built the software which allows us to analyse matches with speed and consistency, as well as coding the charts we provide. Programming our heatmaps and calculating the distance covered by players in matches were special feats of engineering, although his software was thrown a curveball the first time Mostafa Asal was penalised with a conduct stroke. With accountants aplenty in the family, James leads on the Cross Court ledger, and is currently developing software for analysing padel and pickleball.
Away from the screen, you’ll find James practising his volley kill at any opportunity - but it’s his length to the back that makes JB such a tricky customer on the court. And from robot vacuum cleaner to the latest Apple watch, James is never far from his gadgets. If you’ve got any data collection and analysis questions, feel free to contact James directly on james@crosscourtanalytics.com.
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Jamie Harlington
DIRECTOR
Jamie communicates the data Cross Court collects and the findings we come to, from sponsored players, to paying customers and interested fans. He’s the author of our blogs, and you’ll find him hosting our podcasts. When not on court himself, Jamie’s always mulling over new metrics to collect and analyse. A recent convert to the sport, Jamie has caught the squash bug like no other: he might as well have a sleeping bag at the clubhouse.
You’ll find him walking his spaniel or in the Yorkshire Moors on his road bike. On court, he’ll volley anything he can - but can’t resist a corkscrew boast when the chance presents itself. If you’ve got any questions on how we collect data or analyse player tactics, feel free to contact Jamie on jamie@crosscourtanalytics.com or using our social media.
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Maximus Cooke
DATA LOGGER
Maximus, 23, has been playing squash since the age of 5 and the man’s two time champ at local club Collingham. He’s currently studying at Leeds Beckett, undertaking a Masters in Sports Performance Analysis. Maximus has many accolades to his name, including level 2 Squash Coaching, playing #2 for the first team at York University and bouncing back onto court after 2 leg surgeries, which he will never let down.
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Tom Cope
DATA LOGGER
Tom was the first logger to join the team, paving the way for others. His on-court speed and awareness translated directly to logging, fingers gliding effortlessly round the screen. Based in Germany, Tom is Cross Court’s man on the continent.
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Franek Dzimira
DATA LOGGER & ANALYST, WRITER
Franek graduated university with a BsC in Technical Physics and now studies at Wrocław University of Economics. Like so many drawn to the Cross Court project, data analysis in sports - the hidden insights and unexpected facts - has always been of primary interest to Franek. When on court, Franek admits that nothing beats the thrill of a well executed drop, especially on the volley.
Franek joins the Cross Court team as a data logger, analyst and writer - keep your eyes peeled for insights dropping on our blog.goes here
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Tom Glover
DATA LOGGER & ANALYST
Tom is student at York Uni studying environmental geography. When he’s not out and about scoping the lay of the land he’s busy plotting his next victory within 4 walls. Tom also captains the men’s 2nd team at York.
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Arthur Goodwin
DATA LOGGER
Arthur got back into squash when Cross Court came calling… despite dusting off the racket, “Golden strings” Goodwin hadn’t lost it: natural ability the envy of any club player. Arthur’s added Squash57 to his repertoire of late, the pace of the game in keeping with Arthur’s laid back approach. With the number of matches Arthur logs for Cross Court, he has a serious shout for most matches watched in a year.
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Andy Harris
DATA LOGGER
Andy will run and run all day with immaculate channel work, and hides a forehand weapon up his sleeve if you switch it up. Your left-box serve fails to hit the side wall at your peril. He also holds the record for longest box-ladder match on record at 3hrs 24 minutes - and that was only a best of 3.
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Jesse Mills
DATA LOGGER & ANALYST, FEATURE WRITER
Jesse is a Glasgow based squash player, coach and fan - and can be found at nearly every squash event in Scotland. A data analyst by profession, Cross Court’s work combines his two main interests - and has provided inspiration for his coaching. Favourite players: Ramy Ashour and Jonathon Power - though Jesse admits that his own flair on court doesn’t quite compare to theirs.
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Harry Moore
DATA LOGGER
Harry’s a graduate physicist at York Uni with a love for squash. Research into space, time, energy and force sets him up well on and off the court. Harry gets on the volley well, but is never happier than when allowed to unveil his triple fake windmill: Willstrop, watch out!
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Olivia Nattrass
DATA LOGGER & ANALYST, INSTAGRAM GURU
Olivia was introduced to squash by her dad 11 years ago, and has barely put the racket down since. She currently plays for and acts as president of the University of York Women’s 1st team, who compete within the York and District Local league and BUCS (British universities and college sport) Northern tier 1. In addition to logging data, Olivia is Cross Court’s Instagram guru - if you follow us there, say hi to Olivia.
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Sam Story
DATA LOGGER & ANALYST
Sam joins Cross Court from York Uni, another recruit from the squash team in an ever flourishing partnership. It’s a pleasure to have Sam on board and he’s taken right to our PSA work like a Shorbagy to the court.
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Liam Wilson
DATA LOGGER
Liam started playing squash at Glasgow University, and quickly got an eye for the sport. “I frankly spent way too much of my study time trying to improve!”, Liam admits… Liam isn’t alone in this regard from the Cross Court stable. Most likely be found? Firing drops into the tin on Wednesday nights in the West of Scotland Squash leagues.