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December 2023 We have come to the end of the Squash Year for 2023! I would like to thank all of our Waikato Clubs, volunteers and players for contributing to another positive year of Squash in the Waikato. Most recently I would like to thank all of the Club Change Leaders for their efforts in completing all of the tasks set by Squash NZ in preparation for the changes coming in 2024. I know change can be a bit daunting, especially to those already at full capacity with their volunteer roles, but Squash Waikato want to assure clubs that “We've Got This!" We will ensure that extra support is given to Clubs in 2024 and that Squash Waikato are readily available for any questions/queries/concerns that clubs may have. On behalf of Squash Waikato, we wish everyone a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing you all again in 2024. Squash Waikato office will be closed from Friday 22 December - Monday 8th January RACKETBALL The last round of Racketball Interclub was held on Tuesday 5th December. It is great to see some new faces, especially from Morrinsville and Te Awamutu. The black ball was introduced this round. Congratulations to Teams 1 & 2, who finished 1st equal. (Team 1 - Andie R, Andrea T & Richard, Team 2 - Helen, John & Mark). Andrea & Richard are currently working with Squash NZ to finalise some official RBall events for 2024. Additionally, we will look to run some Waikato fast 8 social events in the New Year to get everyone moving again and will look into interclub options. Will coordinate with Squash Waikato to avoid clashes. If you are interested in giving Racketball a go, then please email racketballwaikato@gmail.com  |
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TRANS-TASMAN JUNIOR TEST SERIES Congratulations to Sophie Hodges (HSTC), Charlee Neilson (Te Awamutu) and Emma Millar (Coach), who were part of the NZ Junior Trans-Tasman Team who competed against Australia on the 3-4 December at Devoy Squash & Fitness. Team NZ took the Test Series 19-13 overall.
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OCEANIA JUNIOR CHAMPS The Oceania Junior Champs were held on the 5-7 December at Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre. We had 16 Waikato Junior players competing in this competition, some of them it was their first National/International Event. What a great experience for our Tamariki & Rangatahi to play players from all over Oceania. See the placings below, for results check out our Squash Waikato Facebook page. U11 Boys - Lagaua Talagi (Huntly) 8th overall U13 Boys - Hemi Gregory (Te Rapa) 4th overall U15 Boys Taylor Vette (Lugton Park) 11th overall, James Seath (Leamington) 12th overall, Neihana Noble (Te Rapa) 16th overall, Adriaan Visagie (Cambridge) 18th overall, Wai’Aryn Mills (Te Awamutu) 19th overall U17 Boys Riley Noonan (Morrinsville) 9th overall, Adam Oram Lost (Hamilton) 20th overall\, Tyler Erasmusson (Hamilton) 23rd overall, Jackson Alcock (aria) 25th overall U19 Boys Liam Clark (Lugton Park) 19th overall U11 Girls Addison Rouse (Leamington) 3rd overall, Hannah Jiang (Te Rapa) 7th overall U15 Girls Charlee Neilson (Te Awamutu)6th overall U17 Girls Chloe Chipperfield (Te Awamutu) 12th overall |
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SQUASH NZ NATIONAL AWARDS 2023 Congratulations to Emma Millar for taking out Performance Coach of the Year for 2023, the 3rd Women to get her name on the trophy. What a brilliant achievement and reflection of the mahi you put into the coaching space. Also a massive congratulations to Te Awamutu Squash Club for winning Club of the Year for 2023! This is an outstanding achievement to be the best club in NZ. Just shows the leadership, community and volunteers are helping to drive TA to be the best they can be and provide endless opportunities for their community. Well done TA, your hard work has paid off!! Special mention to Joanne Williams who was formally given a Squash NZ Life Membership. What a great honour and recognition of her contribution to squash, both as a player and a coach/mentor. Well done Jo! |
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WSF WORLD MENS TEAMS The World Mens Teams Champs kicked off on Monday 11 December in Tauranga & Mount Maunganui. The NZ team consisted of Paul Coll, Lwamba Chileshe, Temwa Chileshe & Elijah Thomas. NZ were ranked 9-16 and placed 13th overall. ROUND 1 NZ vs Korea - NZ won 3-0 1. Lwamba Chileshe vs Dongjun Lee 8-11 11-5 8-11 11-5 11-6 2. Temwa Chileshe vs Hyeon Beom Kang 11-3 11-9 11-2 3. Elijah Thomas vs Dong Hyun Ji 11-7 11-7 11-5 ROUND 2 NZ vs Wales - Wales won 2-1 1. Paul Coll vs Joel Makin 13-11 4-11 11-8 11-5 2. Lwamba Chileshe vs Emyr Evans 4-11 5-11 12-14 3. Temwa Chileshe vs Owain Taylor 5-11 4-11 11-8 5-11 R16 NZ vs USA - USA won 2-1 1. Paul Coll vs Timothy Brownell 11-6 11-2 11-5 2. Lwamba Chileshe vs Shahjahan Khan 4-11 11-6 5-11 7-11 3. Temwa Chileshe vs Spencer Lovejoy 11-5 11-4 11-7 Play-Off 9-16 NZ vs Australia - Australia won 2-1 1. Paul Coll vs Joseph White 11-3 11-1 11-3 2. Lwamba Chileshe vs Reece Dowling 4-11 9-11 16-14 11-8 10-12 3. Elijah Thomas vs Dylan Molinaro 6-11 6-11 8-11 Play-Off 13-16 NZ vs South Africa - NZ won 2-1 1. Paul Coll vs Dewald van Niekerk 11-1 11-4 11-3 2. Lwamba Chileshe vs Jean-Pierre Brits 11-7 11-5 6-11 8-11 8-11 3. Temwa Chileshe vs Damian Groenewald 3-11 11-3 11-6 11-8 Play-Off 13-14 NZ vs Canada - NZ won 2-0 1. Paul Coll vs Salaheldin Eltorgman 11-3 11-4 11-3 2. Temwa Chileshe vs Brett Schille 11-8 11-4 11-8 3. Elijah Thomas vs Liam Marrison - NOT PLAYED |
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USA & CANADA JUNIOR OPEN During December we had Sophie Hodges, Connor Hill and Fergus Hill compete over at the US Open and Canada Open, with a group of other NZ Juniors. An awesome opportunity for them to play some international juniors and also to compete at some world class facilities. Results are below for where they finished up. Canada Open U19 - Sophie Hodges 5th (BYE, W, L, W, W) U19 - Connor Hill 19th/20th (W, L, W, W, L) U15 - Fergus Hill 10th (W, W, L, W, W, L) US Open U19 - Sophie Hodges 21-24 placing (BYE, W, L, W, L) U19 - Connor Hill 65-96 placing (L, W, L) U15 - Fergus Hill 49-64 placing (W, L, W, L) |
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YOUTH COACH INITIATIVE Are you interested in becoming one of our Youth Coaches? We are so excited to be collaborating with Squash New Zealand to deliver new coach development initiative that is focused on supporting Youth Coaches across the Waikato. The purpose of the programme is to: Enable our juniors to gain coaching knowledge and qualifications Provide opportunities for our junior players to engage in squash in other ways than just playing. Develop confidence and leadership skills within a familiar environment (squash) Support other juniors across the Waikato by creating more opportunities for them to engage in the sport in their local clubs (through opportunities delivered by our Youth Coaches) Provide greater coaching pathways for our youth - with the possibility of this programme leading to paid coaching opportunities. Relieve pressure of other club coaches and volunteers. The programme is open to all Juniors (Under 19) across the Waikato - depending on the level of interest for this programme, we may need to make selection for the spots. This is not only for those juniors who are higher graded, it is for all juniors who are interested in getting involved in coaching. The programme will kick off early next year (January/ February). If you are interested in getting involved in our Youth Coaching programme or are wanting more information, please contact Emma at development@squashwaikato.co.nz. |
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CLUB ROADSHOWS 2024 Majority of the Club Roadshow dates are locked in for 2024. Please make sure there is at least 2 people from each club represented at these roadshows. Dates and venues below:
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SQUASH NZ CHANGES 2024 2024 will see lots of new changes implemented and we look forward to seeing the positive impact on our players and across our clubs. Here is a brief rundown of what's coming in 2024:
Make sure you're checking the Future of Squash website regularly for all of the latest announcements and information. |
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