A Glasgow schoolboy has won a national competition to design a new mascot for the sport of squash.
Callum Smith, nine, was presented with his prizes when he turned up at the Western sports club in Hyndland where he plays.
Judges were taken with his great artwork and the accompanying backstory about his design.
‘Vollee’ is the child of the Loch Ness monster who wears a kilt and has a squash bag made into bagpipes.
Callum gave him the tagline: "Win or lose, Vollee always has fun!”
It was the winning combination that scooped him first prize in the competition which attracted 250 entries.
'Vollee' will be officially showcased at the 2021 Springfield Scottish Squash Open, taking place at Inverness Tennis and Squash Club from September 22-26.
Callum said: "The Scottish Open is going to be staged in the Highlands near Loch Ness so I decided to make Vollee a child of the Loch Ness Monster.
"I am enjoying my art so loved getting to draw Vollee who wears a kilt and has a squash bag made into bagpipes.
"Win or lose, Vollee always has fun!”
The Glasgow Gaelic School pupil said: "I was so excited and buzzing to win the competition because I love squash. I only started playing 18 months ago.
"It's a racket sport which I like and the running about is so fun.
"I also swim, play tennis and football. Squash helps me get better at all of them."
Callum plays squash at both Western Health and Racquets Club and Glasgow Club Scotstoun.
Last Sunday (May 9) he turned up at Western for squash training with coach Martin Woods but had no idea he was also being announced as the competition winner.
His prizes included framed artwork of the final mascot design, created by artist Graeme Clark, a brand-new Dunlop backpack, squash goggles and balls.
I am enjoying my art so loved getting to draw Vollee who wears a kilt and has a squash bag made into bagpipes
Callum Smith
Proud mum Linsey and the family helped Callum come up with Vollee's fabulous backstory.
She said: "I follow Scottish Squash on social media and saw the competition was on during home schooling.
"It was a great opportunity for him to focus on his art and he really worked hard on the design.
"We all sat over dinner one evening and came up with ideas for a backstory.
"Callum wanted to highlight Vollee's good attributes and encourage others to give squash a go because he really enjoys it himself.”
She added: "We’re so happy he won the competition. We all had to try hard to keep it a secret from him before the announcement.”
