Megan Craig will spearhead the Canterbury Senior Women’s Team, a two times National Champion and recent runner up at this year’s Nationals beating close rival Amanda Landers-Murphy in the semi-finals but had previously lost to her twice earlier in the season. Megan has an A1 grading and will be ably supported by Emma Cormack, recent Canterbury Open Champion, Ruby Turnbull, Sophie O'Connell who is currently attending university at Otago ex Nelson; all are A2 graders and Kelly Sullivan, who has replaced Nikki Kennedy last week who was not able to partake for health reasons. Canterbury was unable to field a team at the 2016 Nationals so great to see a quality team take the field this year.
The Men’s Team which won the National Inter-districts two years ago for the very first time, and in its 43-year-old history also followed that up winning again last year; it will be hard pressed to repeat this feat with some new faces on board. The team will be led by Jayden Millard who has just begun a University course at Otago, Joe Williams second in order followed by Quinn Udy from Blenheim currently in the NZ Junior Boys team competing at Tauranga at World individual and teams event. Adam Odering at four with newcomer Simon Slade in fifth spot - all players have A2 grading. From the team of the last two years absent is Johnny Barnett a backbone of the team both years now living in Wellington and Chris Van der Salm last week’s Canterbury Open champion and ranked fifth in NZ is unavailable along with Oliver Johnstone and lastly Jackson Beresford who has had some great results recently will be overseas at time.
John Brown is Team Coach and the Mens Manager. The Womens Manager still to be confirmed.
Teams are;
Women
Megan Craig, Emma Cormack, Ruby Turnbull, Sophie Oconnell & Kelly Sullivan
Men
Jayden Millard, Joe Williams, Quinn Udy, Adam Odering & Simon Slade
The event will take place at Hawkes Bay Squash Rackets Club & Hawke’s Bay Lawn Tennis Club (Eastern) 18 – 20 August
