Squash: Boys' college dominate court

Tauranga Boys' College team captain Joe Lyons has inspired his team in 2013. Photo / Andrew Warner

Six years ago the first iPhone was launched and Tauranga Boys' won their first ever squash title at the Bay of Plenty Secondary School Championship.

Since then Apple has launched its fifth version of the iPhone and Tauranga Boys' have just won their sixth consecutive Bay of Plenty title.

It was achieved despite missing New Zealand rep players Josh Oakley and captain Joe Lyons, who were committed to other sports.

Tauranga Boys' victory at the Bay of Plenty champs follows this year's nationals in August when they won their second consecutive title.

From having no formal squash programme at the school when assistant principal and team manager Leyton Watson arrived in 2002, to dominating at Bay of Plenty level and winning back-to-back national titles, is quite some journey.

Watson runs the school's squash programme with Damian Galvin and says they started with 20 students in 2002 but the sport is now well established as a major sport.

"There has been a huge growth in the sport and more kids keen to pick up a racquet so we have been able to bring those numbers through, which has been positive and has built some momentum," Watson said. "Obviously combined with the new facility [Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre] in the last couple of years has been fantastic. It has been hugely significant because the boys can see it, have easy access to it, it's modern, it's new and inviting, so just getting kids to start the game it has been hugely powerful."

The depth of talent among the burgeoning numbers playing squash at Tauranga Boys' was shown by their second team's performance at the Bay champs. The young side made it through to the semifinals where they lost a close series against the strong Te Puke team.

"Because we have a reasonable squad, we decided to put the two teams in and we were quite impressed with the way the B team came through," Watson said.

"We probably didn't expect them to finish quite so high.

"We are lucky at the moment we have a group of very, very strong players at the moment. We know that is not always going to be the case.

"We are probably riding the wave a little bit at the moment but if you can be bringing them in from underneath and starting them early, then hopefully you can continue with that momentum."

Recently formed Squash Waikato & Bay of Plenty, under regional manager Marcus Nile, has also played a key role in the popularity of the sport, says Watson.

"They are promoting it more around the schools and they are working hard with the schools looking to improve junior memberships, which has to be helpful for the game."