 |
|
Squash BC and SportyHQ Renewed Partnership
Squash BC is very pleased to announce a new agreement with SportyHQ. Working collaboratively with SportyHQ we have created a package that provides some significant benefits and cost savings to you as a member club of Squash BC.
The new agreement becomes effective April 1, 2019 and will continue until August 25, 2020 with the opportunity for extension. Click here for more information.
Faces of BC Women in Squash
Series #2: Bev Lawton
There is some 13,026 km from Vancouver to Australia where former Vancouver Racquets Club member Bev Lawton now lives. But you can still feel the depth of her enthusiasm for the sport of squash like she was in the same room.
She claims that her squash lifestyle was a little bit motivated by her squash pro husband and the easy transition to the sport as a result of her tennis-playing high school and college tenure.
She maintains that gym work is more of a necessary evil rather than enjoyment and the heavy fitness workout along with the squash culture played a huge role in her keeping her in the game in last twelve years.
"The social aspect of squash was a huge draw", said Lawton. "When I moved to Vancouver and was new to the squash community, the women at the club were very friendly. The après squash culture was the best way to meet new people. Many of those women have become some of my closest friends".
When asked about the kinds of things she would say to someone considering taking up the game, she stated "You can't go wrong. Squash provides a good workout, a great social aspect and it is a lifelong sport. You will be able to connect with people all over the world who play squash. It is a community all on its own".
It is apparent what she has said to prospective players has worked well. Because of her efforts, Squash BC there is an estimated 100+ women have taken up the game and a further large number of women have volunteered their time and energy to the sport.
As a result of this level of influence in the sport, last year, Squash BC awarded Bev the President's Plate, an annual award given to the Best Supporter of the Game and the Association.
Now living on Australia's Gold Coast where you can see her play at the Carrara Squash Centre, Bev is still promoting women's squash wherever she can especially through her new role as Facilities Director with Squash Australia.
Bev says, "There is a new generation of women players starting to take shape and all comes from sharing the love of the game with others. Squash BC and the women's development groups have been instrumental in sharing thoughts and ideas as we all work together to see the number of women in squash grow".
This year Bev Lawton will be publicly recognized as the 2019 Recipient of Sport BC's President's Award for Squash at Sport BC's annual Athlete of the Year Banquet on March 13, 2019 at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.
-----------------------------------------------------
The Faces of Women's Squash is an eight-part series presented by the Emerging Female Leader in Squash initiative, dedicated to highlighting a broad spectrum of female squash players in British Columbia. The Emerging Female Leader in Squash is presented by ProMOTION PLUS and Buntain Insurance.
2019 Canadian Women's Team Championships
|
|
|
|
Grace, Nicole, Rachel are 3 players standing L to R
|
|
Squash BC was thrilled to see a BC Women's Team compete at this year's Canadian Championships (Feb 15-17, 2019, Edmonton).
Our team made up of Nicole Bunyan, Grace Thomas and Rachel Au beat Quebec 3-0 and then the Armed Forces (3-0), lost to (eventual gold medalists) Alberta 2-1 and then beat Manitoba for the bronze!
Congratulations to the team! Well done!
Eight top juniors head off to represent BC at 2019 Canada Winter Games
The BC Team of athletes Sam Scivier (missing from photo), Matt Bicknell, Gabriel Yun, James Toth, Lucia Bicknell, Cynthia Cao, Sara Cao and Yu Quan Ng with coaches Kevin Inouye and Emma Parke depart Vancouver for Red Deer, Alberta this Saturday.
The team are very excited about representing BC at these important Games. For each of these young people, it will be an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
This year there is both an individual and team competition played over 8 days. The team will be sending posts back to BC on a daily basis so tune in to Squash BC's social media. And please send "likes' back to the team with your words of encouragement.
Squash BC and the entire BC Squash Community wishes the team all the best!
Go Team BC!
-------------------------------------
The Canada Games are held every two years in Canada, alternating between the Canada Winter Games and the Canada Summer Games and is considered the single largest multi-sport games in Canada. Athletes are strictly amateur only and represent their province or territory.
Family Run Vancouver companies Give Back and Support Squash in BC
The sport of squash has long been recognized as a sport with strong familial ties. Many squash players pass on the skills and love of the game to their children making participation a family affair.
So, it's not surprising that when the 2019 Doubles Squash Championships take place next month in Vancouver it will be a group of established family run businesses that will be corporately supporting the annual sport event.
Windsor Plywood, Buntain Insurance
and the Haebler Group are not only long-standing Vancouver based operations, but all three companies are also family owned operations.
According to business research, one of the highly unique traits of successful family owned operations is a common understanding they have benefitted from the communities and environment in which they operate and having found success, think it is necessary to give back.
This year those highly honed characteristics are particularly exemplified in the 2019 Doubles Squash Championships.
The Provincial Doubles Championships are one of the six sanctioned Provincial Championship properties of Squash BC. Doubles team action will take place March 5-10, 2019 at the Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club.
About Windsor Plywood
: A local building supply company specializing in hard-to-source home finishing products including doors, flooring, cabinets, stairs, mouldings, a variety of carefully sourced building products professional advice to help customers make the most of home improvement projects.
About the Haebler Group
: Is an established mid-size construction company in Vancouver with a proud legacy of meeting the highest quality standards, modern design and the attention to detail for delivering trouble-free buildings.
|
|
|
About Buntain Insurance: For nearly 50 years, Buntain Insurance has been a family owned and full-service Insurance Brokerage committed to meeting our clients' needs
Entry deadlines are upon us! Don't miss out!
Entry deadline Feb 28
2019 BC Open Doubles Championships
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors - Buntain Insurance, Haebler Construction, Windsor Plywood, Promosapien and our Beer Sponsor Steamworks, VLTBC is able to put on a fantastic tournament for a low entry fee. The Social is a Wine and Beer and Cheese event that will be held with the awards immediately after the Finals.
Enter up to two events which include Men's, Women's, Mixed, Age & Open categories.
Early bird entry by February 17 will guarantee your shirt size!
Out of town players can start Friday, March 8. Please contact Viktor Berg at
squash@vanlawn.com
if you require a partner
Entry deadline Feb 22 - only 11 spots left!
2019 BC Junior Closed Singles Championships (Mar 8-10)
The BC Junior Closed is being held at River Club on Mar 8-10. With a limit of 120 entries and Provincial Championship bragging rights at play, juniors need to sign up now (click here)!
These are Squash BC's annual junior (U19) singles championships showcasing BC's top junior athletic talents and providing critical competition opportunities for our emerging elite juniors.
Spectators enjoy high-calibre play from Provincial, Regional and Canada Winter Game squad members and fierce contests as these championship titles are on the line.
Juniors need to play in their appropriate age category in this event.
To participate in Squash BC Closed Championships: Athletes must be members of Squash BC and must have physically resided in BC and maintained their primary address in BC for the 12 months preceding a Closed Championship or must be Canadian Citizens or have Permanent Resident status and must have a permanent address in BC.
Out-of-town players should be ready to play by 3pm on Friday March 8, 2019
Local players please be prepared to play on Thursday, March 7, 2019
Tournament Hotel: Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport 1-800- SANDMAN (1-800-726-3626). Group Reference: Provincial Squash Championship Group # 995117 Sandman Signature, to get group nightly rates on ($129 Standard Rooms, $159 Corporate Suites, $179 Loft suites) Rates are being held under name "Provincial Squash Championships" until February 15, 2019.
Entry deadline Feb 24 - only 10 spots left!
We are very excited to hosting the first Summerland squash tournament ran through Lakeshore Racquet Club. This year we will be attracting players from the interior and all over BC.
The Club is an amazing venue and we will only be using 2 of the courts for this event and the middle court as a fun court and warm up court. There will be Pizza Friday night and a Saturday night dinner included in the Entry fee. 3 Matches minimum. Open, A, B, C and Ladies event.
There is a room special at the waterfront hotel on the lake this is a very exclusive hotel and a rate of only $99 for a studio, hot tubs, bar, saunas and heated pool, please call to book your room +1 (877) 494-8111
Entry deadline Feb 27
This is a Squash BC "AA" sanctioned event that brings in players from all over the lower mainland.
The tournament includes 3 guaranteed matches, a tournament t-shirt, a banquet dinner, door prizes, placement prizes and more!
Sign up here!
Entry deadline Mar 4!
The tournament will fill up quickly and is capped at 64 entries so signup asap !
There will be a pro exhibition plus 4-5 amateur divisions all to a max of 16 players and we reserve the right to place you in the appropriate division depending on your ranking points.
Long sleeved cotton souvenir shirt, prizes, dinner, coffee/muffins, pizza and you will dance the night away to live music performed by world famous - Dallas Wolbaum !
For hotel/motel rates please contact either The Best Western, The Alpine Inn or the North Shore Inn and just tell them you are here for our squash tournament.Also I have 2 Airbnb rooms one has a double bed, 3-piece bath, coffee maker for $100 total including tax for both nights and the larger suite has a queen bed, 3 piece bath, coffee, etc for $150 total including tax for both nights and they share a mini fridge so first person to contact Paul at 1-250-551-2714 gets it ! CASH only and this is a 50% off deal FYI.
National Bank Financial BC Singles Championships
Due to schedule and weather concerns, these Championships have been moved to May 8-12.
These are Squash BC's annual provincial singles championships -- highlighting BC players and rewarding a chosen few with the title of 'Provincial Champion'.
The
Hollyburn Country Club
will play host to all the matches. Entry includes Courtside Kegger Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Saturday appies during the semi's; souvenir and 2-match guarantee.
Events for all levels of play: Open, A, B, C, D, and we hope to highlight all ages too, 40+, 45+, all the way to 80+!
$2,000 minimum prize money for Open winners.
Let's showcase of our province's best players from young to old and have a great time off court too!
-----------------------------------------------------
Get Ready for the Canadian Nationals! Come and play with some of the Top Juniors in BC and Canada. 3 Matches Guaranteed, Tournament Quality T-Shirt, Friday Night Pizza, Meal Ticket, Prizes for the first 3 places and more surprises!.
Sign up now!
Junior Pathway at Global fitness
Pro and Coach Tom van Unen ran a Grassroots Junior Pathway program at Global Fitness in Kelowna from January 7th to February 11th with a great group of kids. He reports:
"There's been lots of progress and slowly these juniors are able to play some interesting matches with very intense rallies. In the last session we did a small Calcutta and the very talented 8-year old Connor Smith took it all.
In March the next series will be starting so again I'm very much looking forward to seeing all these juniors back on court.
Many thanks to Squash BC for the ongoing support and thanks Carter Hazard for assisting."
Squash BC has partnered with our member club coaches and pros to develop, implement and support a vibrant Junior Pathways Development Program that encourages kids to take up the sport, helps them develop their skills and progressively introduces them to competition.
With financial support from the
2020 Fund
, the program is a cornerstone to engaging, growing and maintaining a strong base of junior athletes.
Thank you to all who have donated to the 2020 Fund
The 2020 Fund has distributed more than $100,000 to Squash BC grassroots squash programs for youth in BC. We would like to thank all who have donated over the years to this endowment fund.
As a result of this fund, eight new coaches in the Okanagan and the Kootenays were added and 12 Junior Pathway Events reaching 188 participants were held last year. For more information about the 2020 Fund and how to contribute,
click here.
-------------------------------------------
The 2020 Fund was established in 2000 by Squash BC to help protect the future of squash in British Columbia. As funding from government and other sources becomes less predictable, it is important to find alternative ways to ensure a sound financial future for the sport of squash. The income accumulated through the 2020 Fund is used to promote the growth of the game through the development of junior squash. By establishing a vibrant and well-financed junior program, Squash BC will take a major step toward a successful future for the sport in this province. To donate to the 2020 Fund, click here.
Upcoming Junior Pathway Events
Join in on the FUN! This FUNdamentals and Developmental Junior Pathway event being run by Viktor Berg will involve skills acquisition, drills, coach assessment and cooperative play with a focus on skills execution!
This is a tournament for juniors new to the tournament squash scene where they will be introduced to proper match play, reffing, and good sportsmanship habits.
Coaches' Corner
Squash BC, in conjunction with Squash Canada, offers a variety learning to coaching programs via the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) throughout the province. At most facilities there are opportunities for players to get certified coaching at their appropriate level. Coaching certification offers consistency in the level of coaching throughout the province and country.
Upcoming learning opportunities for Coaches include:
Coaching Foundations (Mar 29-31) at Terminal City Club
Consider helping out the Squash Community and become a Certified Squash Instructor!
Squash BC is offering this Coaching Foundations Course which is the first technical squash coaching course required to achieve certification. The course will be conducted by Head Pro Barry Gifford at the
Terminal City Club
in downtown Vancouver from Friday, March 29 to Sunday March 31.
This course in combination with the applicable Multi-Sport Modules and
Coaching Evaluation will result in you being a Certified Squash Instructor or Certified Squash Assistant. Which is equivalent to the former Level 1 certification. (See certification pathway here)
The cost includes the materials for the course, and the cost of the evaluation at a later date.
There are only 8 spots available in this course so sign up by clicking here!
The Whistler Coaches Summit (Apr 26 - May 5) at Whistler Athletes Centre
Hosted by Whistler Sport Legacies & CSI- Pacific, this summit is designed specifically to support coaches in the completion of several key NCCP Multi-Sport modules at the Competition Development level, in an environment that is truly multi-sport and interactive on the 2010 Legacy Campus.
Coaches can learn and network with a mix of classroom sessions, recreational activities, a welcome social and a BBQ. Accommodation and meal packages available or choose which courses needed to complete certification and/or professional development points.
2019 Competition Development Modules offered include:
Performance Planning, Advanced Practice Planning, Manage a Sport Program, Psychology of Performance, Prevention and Recovery, Mentorship, Developing Athletic Abilities, Advance practice Planning, Leading Drug Free Sport, Coaching and Leading Effectively, Managing Conflict. Click here for draft schedule.
Accommodation: Whistler Athletes Centre 1090 Legacy Way, call to get the coach summit discount. 604-964-0052 quote "Summit 2019"
Receive a 15% discount, if booked outside of 30 day's of summit
Receive a 5% discount, if booked within 30 day's of summit
Meals: Whistler Food Company will be providing lunches with each course that's over 4 hours. Welcome dinner reception for all participants and an optional BBQ night.
Squash Goes Gold
The World Squash Federation (WSF) and Professional Squash Association (PSA) have launched an ambitious new campaign - "Squash Goes Gold" - aimed at giving the global squash community the opportunity to take an active part in the sport's future, including the bid to become part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games programme.
Alongside a series of other strategic initiatives launched over the past year, such as the youth-focused SquashFORWARD programme, Squash Goes Gold aims to shape the future of the sport and make it even more innovative, inclusive and sustainable.
Squash BC will be joining in on this campaign, so look out for updates.
Check out their first promotional video
Tournament recaps!
2019 BC Jesters Doubles Tournament recap
The 38th Annual BC Jesters Doubles Tournament February 6-10, 2019, hosted by the Vancouver Racquets Club was a sell out! The 64 player spots limit for this tournament was reached a week before the registration close date. In the end, 75 individuals played to complete all 64 matches.
After 4 days of play, the top 4 players on each wall playing in the Sunday finals were:
10am Semi 1 (L/R)
Noah Deziel/Andrew Smart def. Rick Kochanski/Andrew Kostiw 3-1
11am Semi 2
Rip Peterman/Morgan Latremouille def. Kevin McElgunn/John MacLean 3-0
noon Finals
Noah Deziel/Morgan Latremouille def. Rip Peterman/Andrew Smart 3-0
The Sunday matches all had a number of close game scores. The gallery was well entertained before moving to the lounge for refreshments and prizes.
Thanks to all the players for making this tournament what it was. Player contribution was over $2,300 with the $35 entry fee donated in support of squash. Individual Jesters contributions in support of the tournament brought in an additional $11,000 for squash, including the $500 grudge match as part of tournament played 12:00 Saturday at the VLTBC.
2019 Jesters Pacific North West Open - squash over snow!
Tournament Director and Cedar Hill Head Pro Ben Uliana provided his play-by-play of the 50th rendition of this wonderful tournament:
Monday, February 11th I receive an email from my kids' school, cancelled due to snow! For three days I watched the snow accumulate and the weather get progressively worse for driving, but better for tobogganing for the kids! Finally, the temperature rose, the rain came and people started arriving for the 50th year of the Jesters PNW!
In 1969 a young Phil Green played in the first event and help run the tournament. There were 40 entries... who knew that it would grow to be the event we had this weekend!
At the peak we had 215 players on Monday. That number ended up at 201 players by our start Friday morning. Some people opted out due to weather conditions, others had flights cancelled on the Thursday night due to YYJ not being open. There was a flurry of activity on Friday as we rescheduled matches due to athletes coming in on morning flights. In the end we got through Friday and the tournament continued.
Currently the event runs with 3 venues, Cedar Hill, St. Michaels and the Victoria Squash club, 50+ volunteers help to keep the tournament running, food service delivered, and registration staffed. At Cedar Hill we had a packed house the whole weekend. Walking from my office through the squash court area was like swimming upstream.
On Sunday, we were treated to an all BC final in the Boys Under 19. Number 1 seed Emilio Carrillo and Number 2 seed Matt Bicknell duked it out in a 5-game final trading points like two boxers in the 12th round of a WCB title bout. It was a fitting end to the two and a half days of squash.
Amazingly, 45 min earlier, Lucia Bicknell won the girls Under 19 draw, in another 5-game match over the Number 2 seed Erica McGillicuddy (Ontario). I would be remiss of me not to mentioning that Roman Bicknell, younger brother of both Lucia and Matt, won the boys under 13 draw.
It felt like the 50th Jesters PNW would not happen this year with the cold weather threatening, but it did start and I have to say that the level play and sportsmanship was exemplary this year. This year we expanded our sportsmanship award to include a second award one for the Boys and one for the Girls.
Going forward we will have the George Morfitt Sportsmanship award for Boys and the Dave Thom Sportsmanship award for the girls.
Our two recipients of the award were:
- George Morfitt: Emilio Carrillo
- Dave Thom: Lucia Bicknell
As I mentioned the sports
manship was beyond expectation this year it should be mentioned that for both the boys and girls award was won by 1 vote.
As I close this event, I reflect on what makes an event successful and it comes down to a good team. Not one person is able to pull off an event of this size: 3 venues, food service, court control, but it is the 50+ volunteers from the community that came out on family day weekend to make sure all the players had what they needed to play the squash they did.
Thank you
Benjamin Uliana
Tournament Director
2019 Sea to Sky Tournament thanks from Tournament Organizers...
Thank you for such a memorable weekend!
... We had dozens of "rally of the year"s.
... We drank nearly 2 kegs of beer.
... We danced the night away.
... We made memories. And then probably forgot them because of the beer.
... We made new friends.
... We rekindled our connections with old ones. (No, I'm not calling you old!)
We were honoured that you entered our squash tournament and came out, playing your best and cheering your loudest for the stellar squash that was on our courts from Friday through Sunday.
This is simply a thank you for attending, and a reminder that we are grateful to have you a part of this fantastic squash community.
Other notes:
- You may have heard Steve touting the value of taking the online squash reffing course so we're following up with the link for you. It's $35, takes about 90 minutes, and will help beef up your reffing knowledge, skills and confidence.
- We value feedback on your tournament experience! For those who entered, please help us out by telling us what you loved and what could be improved in future. The anonymous feedback form is here.
Thanks again, and we will see you on the squash court, soon!
Revelstoke Racquets Den needs our help.
They are exploring an exciting opportunity to build a new squash facility and as part of that they need information and are doing a non-resident/visitor survey.
It is really important that Squash Players everywhere support us by saying they would play squash when visiting Revelstoke.
It's 30 seconds well spent to support the growth of squash in BC.
Please share this with your friends.
|
|
|
|
DISCLAIMER
You have received this email because you are a Squash BC member or you have subscribed to receive news updates from Squash BC. If you have a question, comment or concern, please write to us via email at office
@squashbc.com.
one |
Email
|
Webse
|
|
|
|
|
|
