Squash: College gives rare hat-trick best shot

Tyler Ranger, left, and Jamie Oakley have been training hard as Tauranga Boys' College squash team look to win a third straight national secondary school title. Photo / George Novak

WHAT a difference a decade can make.

A little more than 10 years ago, squash was not even played at Tauranga Boys' College.

This week, the school's senior team are aiming to claim a rare three-peat at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Squash Championships.

The team, trimmed from a squad of 11 to six for nationals in Nelson from August 8-10, will be among the early favourites to lock away the Ross Norman Trophy for another year.

The size of the squad, and the fact Sean Dykes, Bayley Sisson, Dom Culpitt, Robin Yang and Zayne Thompson will not travel with the team, shows succession planning is well in place at the city's largest secondary school.

Manager and assistant coach Leyton Watson said his players had been in top form in the build- up to the nationals.

"The boys have been training hard and all have had some solid performances in individual tournaments leading up to the nationals, so they are excited about the opportunity to push for a three-peat," he said.

"The boys are very focused and committed to giving their very best.

"There has been lively competition for places in the final six, which has raised the fitness levels and quality of play from all members of the squad," Watson said.

The national tournament began in 1985 and has traditionally been dominated by Auckland Grammar and Christchurch Boys' High School, with Westlake Boys' High School, Whangarei Boys' High School and Palmerston North Boys' High School also contending regularly.

Tauranga Boys' finished last out of 32 schools at their first nationals in 2003 and improved to second in 2011 before back-to-back wins in 2012 and 2013.

The rapid rise can be attributed to quality facilities and coaching.

The Carrus Corporation has helped the team get to Nelson.