A renewed positivity and way forward for squash in New Zealand, as the sport looks towards its future with a unified approach led by the 2021-24 Strategic Direction, We are Squash New Zealand – Poipātū Aotearoa.
There are four strategic priorities with a key focus being the cultural shift ‘kotahitanga’.
We have a common vision and approach from all 11 Districts who have signed on to the Strategic Direction. We will establish stronger links with the wider squash and general community.
‘Our Purpose’ recognises the health and happiness outcomes of playing squash and belonging to a club.
Our focus is on keeping and creating more vibrancy . We want to support clubs sustainability and inspire the public by showcasing our players, events, clubs and volunteers.
To read the full Strategic Direction, click here
This leads on to an ideal opportunity for squash in New Zealand to showcase itself with World Squash Day 2021 and there are 100 days to go until the big day, Saturday 9 October.
This is the 20th anniversary of World Squash Day and as the first country to welcome in the new day we can also promote our new vision and purpose .The sport is blessed with Paul Coll and Joelle King on the world stage as well as our domestic players and events showcasing the sport with improving PSA world rankings. Now it is the opportunity to highlight many of our clubs and the sport within New Zealand and how it can improve lifestyles, via connectivity, sense of belonging, fun and enhance our wellbeing.
Squash New Zealand and the Districts have agreed to work with the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation as the charity for the World Squash Day. The charity fits well . We both support healthy lifestyles and we look forward to a meaningful relationship that provides good health outcomes for NZers.
Resources to make World Squash Day as positive and proactive, are being put together along with ways to support the Mental Health Foundation and the community.
The focus is to celebrate the value of squash for the community and supporting mental health at the same time.
The Canterbury Open and South Island Championships were held from Thursday 17 June to Sunday 20 June at the Christchurch Squash Club, with nearly 150 participants competing across 6 Men's Divisions, 3 Women's Divisions and 1 Junior Division.
Emma Cormack (1) met Grace Hymers (2) in the Women’s Open final in a rematch of the 2020 final. Cormack got into her work quickly and took control of things with a 2-0 lead. Hymers was looking to mount a comeback in the 3rd set but hit the deck hard which looked to have given her a knock to the ankle. She bravely got to her feet and soldiered on, before she went over heavily on her ankle again, and after an injury time out she unfortunately had to concede the match as she could not continue. This was Cormack’s 4th Canterbury Open title in a row.
The Men’s Open final followed straight afterwards on the Mike Beresford Court, as Joe Williams (1) came up against Jayden Millard (3), after the latter tipped up Adam Odering (2) in the semi final. Williams had been clinical all tournament, and drew first blood before Millard evened the ledger at 1-1, which was the first game that Williams had dropped all weekend. Williams wasn’t to be deterred however, as the two traded long rallies before Williams came out on top 3-1 for his first Canterbury Open title.
A huge thank you to Adam Teo, Bruce McEachen, Paul Growcott and the Christchurch Squash Club committee and members for hosting a fantastic event and putting in big shifts throughout the weekend to ensure it ran smoothly.Results:
Men’s Open
Winner: Joe Williams, Christchurch Squash Club
Runner Up: Jayden Millard, Burnside Squash Club
Women’s Open
Winner: Emma Cormack, Marlborough Squash Rackets Club
Runner Up: Grace Hymers, Christchurch Squash Club
Men’s Div 1
Winner: Thomas Cooper, Christchurch Squash Club
Runner Up: Liam Gale, Waimea Squash Club
Women’s Div 1
Winner: Andrea Dudley, SquashCity (Southland)
Runner Up: Rachel Hebberd, Marlborough Squash Rackets Club
Junior Division
Winner: Ashton Fisher, Christchurch Squash Club
Runner Up: Ashton Cameron, Christchurch Squash Club
Men’s Div 2
Winner: Ethan Peddie, Christchurch Football Squash Club
Runner Up: Tim Petterson, Christchurch Squash Club
Women’s Div 2
Winner: Sasha Ellery, Greymouth Squash Club
Runner Up: Grace Rhodes, Greymouth Squash Club
Men’s Div 3
Winner: Dave Brown, Marlborough Squash Rackets Club
Runner Up: Hayden de Burger, Malvern Squash Club
Men’s Div 4
Winner: Harry O’Loughlin, Christchurch Football Squash Club
Runner Up: Jack Gibb, Waimea Squash Club
Men’s Div 5
Winner: Blair Bethwaite, Christchurch Squash Club
Runner Up: Samuel Burdett, Christchurch Squash Club
Canterbury have successfully defended the South Island Quadrangular title after the tournament took place at the Timaru Squash Club last weekend.
The team won all three of their respective ties against Midlands, Otago and Southland, as the Juniors secured a convincing 1st, the Masters pipped Midlands by 1 point to take 1st and the Seniors were 2nd behind a strong Southland team.
Congratulations to the team, and manager Jess Wilson, for a fantastic weekend of results, and a huge thank you to Vicki Rae, Squash Midlands and the Timaru Squash Club for hosting this great tournament. It was great to be back playing against yourselves, Otago and Southland - we’ve missed it!
Overall: 1st Canterbury, 2nd Midlands, 3rd Southland, 4th Otago
Juniors: 1st Canterbury, 2nd Midlands, 3rd Southland, 4th Otago
Seniors: 1st Southland, 2nd Canterbury, 3= Midlands and Otago
Masters: 1st Canterbury, 2nd Midlands, 3rd Otago, 4th Southland
