Squash: College's top ranking a long time coming

Coach Damien Galvan (left), Jamie Oakley, Josh Oakley, Michael Dunston, Ben Thornton, Joseph Lyons, Alex Revington and manager Leyton Watson are national champions. Photo / Supplied

Assistant principal and team manager Leyton Watson inquired about the state of Tauranga Boys' College's squash team when he arrived at the school in 2002. The answer amazed him - there was not one - though he began to understand why after a visit to the old, dark Tauranga Squash Club.

What has happened since is the perfect case study on how to construct a champion.

The programme started in 2002 and the team went to nationals for the first time the following year, seeded 32nd out of 32 schools.

The rankings proved justified, but by 2010 the team had improved to third. A second place finish in 2011 followed, before the first of two national titles in 2012 proved the palatial Susan Devoy Squash Centre had been well worth the work poured in by the club, college and Sport BOP.

"I guess we started from scratch," Watson said.

"It's definitely one to treasure," agreed two-time national champion Joseph Lyons. It's been a long time coming - as Mr Watson said, we did start right at the bottom.

"Now we've won twice in a row and it's worked out well with all the help that we have had from our coaches."

Eyes are already turning to next year's nationals and a possible squash dynasty at the college.

"There'll be three spots up for grabs in the team next year and there is a group of boys just below this level that will be fighting pretty hard to get in there," Watson said.

Lyons tipped the programme to scale even greater heights in the immediate future due to the planned addition of two extra courts and the unveiling of an impressive gym and fitness centre later this week.

"I definitely came at the perfect time - though it's still getting to its peak and I reckon we have still got a few years of improvement in us. We've got a few juniors and two national representatives who are only Year 10, and we've got a Year 12 national rep as well."

With arguably the finest courts in the country bearing the name of a giant of the game, along with a burgeoning junior player base, there seems every chance the Ross Norman Trophy will become a fixture at the college.

A growing appreciation for the sport among the 1800-strong student body will not hurt either.

Team members Josh Oakley, Alex Revington and Jamie Oakley were also named in New Zealand age group teams.