The 2019 Waipa Primary Big Nix Interschools Tournament

Squash Waikato together with the three Waipa Clubs, held their first Cambridge and Te Awamutu Primary School Tournaments on the 18th (Cambridge) and 19th (Te Awamutu) September.  55 beginners (aged 10-11) competed in their own local tournament, allowing them to practice what they had learnt over the course of their 8 week Kiwi Squash Programme through school. 

Congratulations to Pirongia School, (Te Awamutu Pimary School Champions) and Kaipaki School (Cambridge Primary School Champions) who both claimed The 2019 Big Nix Interschools title and trophy for their respective areas on Wednesday and Thursday this week (the competition was intense!)

A special mention to the Te Awamutu Primary Interschool Champion, Zack Hopping (Pekerau Primary School) and The Cambridge Champion, Gethyn Foster (Cambridge East School and also to Runners Up, Charlee Neilson (Pekerau, TA) and Adam Finn (Cambridge East School) who each won cash, free or discounted professional coaching, club memberships or registration to club programmes!

These 2 local Primary Tournaments together with the 2 local Intermediate Big Nix Tournaments have been introduced to allow for greater participation and to cater for the growing number of schools offering squash to beginners via their local club.  The top boys and girls from each school are invited to represent their school in the original Waipa Big Nix Interschools tournament, which commenced back in 2016.  This year it will take place on the 20^th October at both the Cambridge (Primary) and Te Awamutu (Intermediate) Clubs.  4 schools and 40 students are competing this Wednesday in Cambridge, with Te Awamutu Intermediate School having had their trials last Friday.  

For full Primary School results click here.  Visit/’LIKE’ the Te Awamutu Squash and Cambridge Racquets Club Face Book pages to view all the photo’s and a complete summary of each tournament.

Waipa Kiwi Squash

This community project commenced back in 2014 when Squash Waikato supported the 3 Waipa Clubs (Leamington Squash Club, Cambridge Racquets Club and Te Awamutu Squash Club) to offer more opportunities, skill development and healthy fun for children, parents and teachers both at school and at the club. We have worked in partnership with Sport Waikato and Waikato Institute for Leisure and Sport Studies KiwiSport Leaders to make it a real community focused project and easy for those interested to continue on with the sport. As a result of this, each club are gaining new members every year.

Even though the conversion statistics from school to club for this year aren't finalised yet, Cambridge Club for example, recently reported 17 new students, 2 parents, a teacher and 3 student leaders who have linked in just this season.  Leamington say their junior programme has really grown also and they reported 15 new members last year.  They had new volunteer parents also and one recently has decided to join their committee as junior convenor. Te Awamutu Club have existing and new programmes at near capacity already with many parents signing up to the new Squash Waikato modules, teaching them how to best support their child on court, having fun learning together.  In total last year 71 new players engaged in squash after school or work independently in The Waipa as a result of these programmes/new events, with 35 new known members joining due to the Kiwi Squash project.

These school programmes started with just 3 schools in the Waipa 5 years ago and now 13 schools are part of the Kiwi Squash Programme in this area alone.  50 schools have had Kiwi Squash in the overall Waikato area with other local tournaments or events being introduced to follow the successful Waipa community development model. 

Most schools in the Waipa are now independently delivering squash at their local club with minimal support by us or at times, Project Energize. The sustainable programmes are run by teachers and parents who we have trained and supported thanks to the Community Partnership Funding received from KiwiSport (Sport Waikato).

These kiwi squash school programmes and tournaments, now run right from primary through to secondary school age, give all people a great taste of squash at it's best. They also encourage schools to seek out new interest and train their students each year for these tournaments.  Each of these clubs have special memberships/programme offers for all participants and their families as well as the opportunity to register for professional coaching by Kay Newman (at Leamington Squash Club) or Brian Barnettt (at Cambridge Racquets Club) in Term 4 on Mondays, Fridays or Saturdays.  The community is fortunate to have access to quality coaches like this with both having international experience.  

A big thanks to all the Waipa Clubs and more specifically Stephen Orange, Gina Lowe, Wayne Peterson and Bronwyn Brier for their amazing work and passion. Thanks to our Kiwi Sport & Squash High School Leaders who have volunteered their time to upskill and work with their peers and younger children at the clubs.  Thanks to Anton Barr and his Project Energise Team who have fully supported this project in their schools.  Also to our Kiwi Squash Coach, Kay Newman for training all our teachers, parents and club coaches and of course to Kiwi Sport (Sport Waikato) for the funding to make this all possible. To everyone else (there are lots of you) who made this possible, you have MADE A DIFFERENCE in your community....THANK YOU!

Glenda Knox
Community Development Officer, Squash Waikato

2019 RESULTS

Te Awamutu School Champions Pirongia School 

Cambridge School Champions

KAIPAKI SCHOOL 

Te Awamutu Primary Tournament – 19^th September 2019

Division 1

Winner: Zack Hopping (Pekerau)
R/Up: Charlee Neilson (Pekerau)

Division 2
Winner: Braxtyn Here (Pirongia)
R/ Up: Emaani Mullins (pekerau)
Plate: Jofie Jaunay (Pirongia)

Division 3:
Winner: Trent Kennedy (Puahue)
R/Up: Sam Taylor (Pirongia)
Plate: Charlie Storey (Puahue)

Division 4:
Winner: Greyson Here (Pirongia)
R/Up: Luke Downard (Puahue)
Special Plate: Saraiah Hongara (Puahue)
Plate: Archie Keelty (Pirongia)

Cambridge Primary Tournament – 18^th September 2019

Division 1
Winner – Gethyn Foster
Runner Up - Adam Finn
Plate Winner - Tarj Murray
Special Plate Winner - Rory Bourke
Consolation Plate Winner - Kush Patel

Division 2

Winner – Brooklyn M
Runner Up - Dylan Eades
Plate Winner - Colter Lattin
Special Plate Winner - Hannah Boucher
Consolation Plate Winner - William Baker

Division 3
Winner – Kasim
Runner Up - Vinnie Proebstel
Plate Winner - Taylor Phillipps
Special Plate Winner - Maddy Hancock
Consolation Plate Winner - Gabbie Bolton

Werder Rackets Junior 1 Day Series 2018  

We have had a successful Junior 1-day Series for 2017. With nearly 90 different participants throughout the series.

A huge thank you to our sponsor Werder Rackets.

Series Results

 ‘Best & Fairest’.  At the end of the series coaching sessions with Werder Rackets and racket will be drawn from all the nominees: Winner – Alex Martin

v  Winner Ben Newman – 112pts
v  Runner Up Katerina Reedy – 110pts
v  3^rd Place Hannah MacDonald – 97pts

Well Done Waikato

Nine Districts battled it out in both the Men’s and Women’s draws to try and claim the prestigious Inter-District Teams title being hosted by the Panmure Squash Club on the 31st August – 1st September.

Waikato Senior Men have created history by winning their first ever Senior Mens Inter-District teams title 3-1. Our Women came a respectable 4^th in the event. Well done to all our players.

Men: 1. Zac Millar 2. Lawamba Chileshe 3. Temwa Chileseh 4. Allan Crome 5. Ben Calvert 6. Phil Buscke Somervell Coach: Phil Buscke Somervell Manager: Nicola Blake

Women: 1. Casey Owen 2. Georgia Robcke 3. Nicola Blake 4. Sophie Hodges 5. Ashleigh Matthews Coach: Phil Buscke Somervell Manager: Nicola Blake