New Programs to challenge players
Development Squad-As part of our junior development programs primary school students are invited to join in the Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon squads commencing this term. The sessions are designed to teach players new skills and have a fun time on court. Equipment is provided so if you’re looking for an indoor sport with plenty of exercise contact the centre as registrations are welcome. It has been developed to provide the best possible introduction for young children to the sport of squash. It’s all about learning through play, court activities, modified games and much greater game involvement with an emphasis on fun. This includes the use of modified equipment and balls depending on age and size of participants. Many of our top juniors started from similar programs and now enjoy squash at competition level and the fun activities and experiences it provides.
Friday Juniors- Primary and High School students are welcome to join in the Friday afternoon program from 4pm to 7.00pm each week. If you have not taken part in the graded program anyone can register for the school term Friday program. Children of all ages from 8 or 9 years of age are welcome to come and try out. Players then have the opportunity to look at the supporting programs and development squads for improvement. Players learn through active games each week and with improvement are given greater challenges to help them improve skills. The Development Squads and Friday Juniors are ideal for both boys and girls to learn and enjoy squash activities and for many taking up a fun sport or lead to a sporting career.
Tournaments- One Day Enduro tournament for players will take place on Sunday 3rd August. This event has been a popular starter for many who go on to play in regional events such as the Combined High Schools competition and regional knock out events. It’s a great introduction for many first timers or those that play socially or school sport. Grading’s are provided for groups of similar abilities and to enjoy a fun day at the centre. Those taking part have the opportunity to witness some of the top juniors in action in the top grades as well. Entries can be made at the centre or visit www.coffssquash.com.au to pick up an entry form. Entries close on Monday 28th July.
·Upcoming Events
The North Coast Open PSA/WSA Tournament to be held here in Coffs Harbour from 4-7 September has attracted a larger than expected entry list this year. Entries for the Open Grades has attracted international players from 14 countries making this one of the most popular events on the Squash Australia Tour. Let’s hope the weather is kind and we are able to show the players what Coffs Harbour attractions provide. It’s not often that members of the community get the chance to see squash played at the top level and anyone can come along during the event to witness the players in action. This year we have players from France, Norway and Mexico taking part for the first time. The Men’s Open has attracted a field of 48 players with Qualification Rounds to start on Thursday 4 September for players to make the main draw of 32 players. Competition is expected to be tough as players fight for 8 spots in the main draw. The Open Event commences on Friday night 5th September from 6.30pm and public are invited to visit the centre to watch all the action.
Not to be outdone the Women’s Open has attracted a field of 25 players which is sure to generate some great viewing as the top seeds are currently bound for the Commonwealth Games and will be returning to Australia to take part in the Squash Australia Tour. Entries for the Open Events closed on July 8. Entries for the Graded events support program are now open and it gives local players a chance to mix it with players from interstate and surrounding districts so keep this weekend free for a feast of action and entertainment.
Competitions- Nominations for the new competitions are now invited. Spots are available for all standards and if you haven’t played for a while contact the centre who can help you get started on a way to better fitness with a regular good workout.
Enquires are welcome by contacting the centre on 66536523. Different formats of competition are available Tuesday to Thursday and new players are welcome. 
Photo: Jemma Wratten gives some informative tips to budding players in Wednesday Development Squad.
The North Coast Open Will be Held on the 4-7th September.
GRADED EVENTS CLOSE 28TH AUGUST- ENTRIES NOW OPEN
PSA AND WSA EVENT CLOSED ON JULY 8TH
This is a PSA Challenger Event, WSA Tour 5 and Graded Event
ENTRY FORMS FOR GRADED ARE NOW AVAILABLE BY CLICKING IN THE LINK BELOW
North Coast Open _ Entry Form
For more information check out the tournament page click here
ONE DAY ENDURO JUNIORS
New rounds of competition commence from Tuesday 15 July. Players wishing to take part should contact the centre.
Nominations for the One Day Enduro Tournament on 3 August are now available click here for entry form.
Entries close on Monday 28th July so don’t miss out as number will be limited for the popular event.
State Championships outstanding displays
The NSW State Age Titles conducted at the weekend brought together players from five states to showcase the growing strength and talent of juniors squash. With ideal conditions players turned on some dazzling displays of agility and power as they battled for top spots and ranking points on offer in the Gold Ranking event.
There were some impressive performances from the local juniors with Jacob Ford narrowly missing the Under 15 Age Title when he went down in five thrilling games to his Tassie opponent Jamie Pattison. In a never say die approach Jacob clawed his way back from 5-8 in the fourth game to win a tight tie break 12/10 and level at two games each. A slow start in the deciding fifth game saw Jacob under pressure as he attempted to draw level. At 9-6 and a doubtful call Pattison only needed one chance at match ball to wrap up the final in style. Ford was pleased with his form overall and now will focus on preparations for the AJC in Perth in September. Ryan Marshall, Coffs Harbour was runner up in the Under 17 Boys after a solid win against Alexander Lock of the ACT to earn a finals spot against the number 1 seed from Forster Todd Riches. A brisk opening saw Riches take an early lead and first game with Ryan unable to pressure his opponent and get into the match. Riches proving his good form with top billing as he recorded a straight games win.
Other players to perform strongly included Brad Harrison 5th, Luke Bain 6th and Jakob Dillon 8th in this age division highlighting the strength of the Coffs Juniors. Dillon in particular achieved his best results to date to feature in the longest match of the tournament with a 10/12 8/11 16/14 19/17 14/12 upset victory to oust the U/17 No 5 seed on the opening day and enter the top 8 in the Under 17 Group.
In the Under 19 Age Group Keelan Birch Coffs Harbour had to settle for third position and was well pleased with his form making amends for some previous losses against opponents from Dunedoo and Maclean. In the Under 13 Age Group Jaden Herring found his opposition tough, finishing a creditable 10th and Jakson Greenaway was stepping up in class to put in a number of strong games to finish 12th overall in this group.
A special thankyou to sponsors who supported the event with The Edge Real Estate, IB Insurance, Bennell and Ass. Excel Property Agency and accommodation outlets Tropical Oasis, Paradise Palms for their support of squash in the Coffs Coast Region.
The Advocate has provided great support in promoting the game and the junior development here in Coffs is the real winner.
At completion of the tournament the NSW State Junior Team was announced and two Coffs Harbour players were selected to represent NSW Bluetongues in a state team of 21 players.
Congratulations to Ryan Marshall Under 17 Boys and Jacob Ford Under 15 Boys for their performances at the weekend.
U/11 Girls Winner Jemma Besant 11/6 11/0 11/5
U/11 Girls Runner up Tanai O’Brien
U/13 Girls Winner Kacey Nightingale 10/12 13/15 11/7 11/3 11/8
U/13 Girls Runner up Laura Moloney
U/15 Girls Winner Grace Pattison 11/5 11/2 11/3
U/15 Girls Runner up Elle Lane
U/17 Girls Winner Vanessa Graham 11/4 11/4 13/11
U/17 Girls Runner up Grace Pattison
U/19 Girls Winner Rachael Gibson 11/9 11/7 11/6
U/19 Girls Runner up Ellen Benacquista
U/11 Boys Winner Tom Lacy 12/14 12/10 11/8 11/7
U/11 Boys Runner up Ken Lamb
U/13 Boys Winner Haani Qureshi 11/7 13/11 11/8
U/13 Boys Runner up Ethan Bird
U/15 Boys Winner Jamie Pattison 11/8 8/11 11/6 10/12 11/6
U/15 Boys Runner up Jacob Ford
U/17 Boys Winner Todd Riches 11/3 11/5 11/4
U/17 Boys Runner up Ryan Marshall
U/19 Boys Winner Rohan Toole 11/6 12/10 11/5
U/19 Boys Runner up Jesse Keegan
CONGRATULATIONS
well done to Keelen Birch, Jacob Ford, Andrew Riches, and Jakob Dillin on their selection to represent NSW CHS State team.
Keelan is selected in the open age group, while Jacob, Andrew and Jakob are selected in the under 15s.
Well done also to the boys and Aden Smith on finishing second in the teams event. with Western finishing first.
State Junior Rankings
The latest NSW State Junior Ranking released on 1 May has a number of Coffs Harbour Juniors rising through the ranks.
In the Boys Under 17 Division, Ryan Marshall holds down NSW No 2 and nationally No 12.
In the Boys Under 15 Division Jacob Ford NSW No 2 and nationally No 11.
The Boys Under 19 Division sees Keelan Birch move to 6 and Aden Smith make it into the top 10 at number 10.
Congratulations boys for some great performances during the past three months to be recognised.
Top Efforts at AJO
Local talents Ryan Marshall and Jacob Ford produced personal bests at the Australian Junior Open Squash Championships in Geelong this week.
In the under 17 Boys Division Ryan finished in ninth position with a commanding performance in the play-off for 9th spot against Liam Ferreira also of NSW.
Ryan came up against D McMillan of WA in his second round match with the boys ranked 10 and 11 nationally. The match was a tight affair with McMillan edging out Ryan in four games. Ryan benefited from more tough matches recording wins against L Coxsedge of Qld 3/1 and against NSW Number 3 Liam Ferreria in straight games 11/5 11/7 11/8 to claim 9th position.
Ryan was pleased with his all-round performance and match play at the Corio Leisuretime Centre in Geelong and will now concentrate on preparations for lead up tournaments to the NSW State Titles here in Coffs Harbour in July.
Jacob Ford Under 15 Boys division, played above his weight to finish 11th in the 34 strong field of competitors. Jacob opened with a
solid win against J Ellis Vic 3/0 before striking the No 2 seed in
N Calvert of Queensland. Jacob played well, going down in 3 games against the more experienced Calvert but took heart with his own game improvement.
In the play-off for positions 9-16 Jacob won his first match against his Vic opponent before losing a very tight 5 game match to B Di Bella of WA. In Jacob’s final match he made amends with a straight games win
against T Bennett f WA 11/2 11/9 11/6.
ACADEMY CAMP
The Academy Camp conducted in Coffs Harbour at the weekend proved very rewarding to the players and coaching staff as well. Players came from many parts of NSW and were quickly into stride on Saturday morning with strength and fitness programs. Sunday activities came with an early start and for each participant, a chance to see Mutton Bird Island from a different perspective with a torturous hill run several times.
NSW Squash is conducting a series of Academy Camps in both metropolitan and country regions during 2014 with the specific aim to assist players in developing their game and offer potential members within the region the opportunity to try their skills and pick up some finer points to work on. During the course of events players are tested both physically and mentally and receive plenty of court time with the Academy coaches on technical and tactical components of the game.
The Academy provides the basics for players to participate in the NSW Pathways Program with members in line for selection into the NSW State Junior Team for the Australian Age Championships in September in Perth. Not all players will make it to the state team but some will be preparing for future opportunities and using this year to hone their skills for the future opportunities.
For the new players in the North Coast Region they all had the opportunity to work with Academy Coach, Scott Butcher, and Brett Hyland who were impressed with some of the local talents and hoped to see them at future events.
