Wave of growth emerges in junior squash

CLUB CHAMPIONS: Winners at the Surf City Champs included some young squash talent. Back (from left): Willie Donnelly (club coach), Bella Seymour-Manuel, Paige Bentley, Ky Bartlett, Lane Bartlett and Kahn Grayson. Front: Karli Bartlett (left) and Tautui Collins. Picture supplied

A STRONG crew of junior players has emerged at the Surf City Squash Club and a programme next year will introduce more youngsters to the sport.

Among those who excelled at the club championships last weekend were Kahn Grayson, Paige Bentley and the Bartlett trio — Ky, Lane and Karli.

“Club coach Willie Donnelly has done an excellent job with a new wave of juniors this year to get the club buzzing again,” secretary Daniel Newman said.

“Over the next few years we hope to add a few more club coaches to allow for the growing interest.”

Junior club days are run on Sunday mornings, from 10am.

Surf City Squash Club has received a KiwiSport grant for 2020 to run a micro-court programme in primary schools in terms 2 and 3.

“This involves the delivery of a small portable replica squash court that can be set up in school halls for one week at a time to introduce the game of squash to our young community,” Newman said.

Club champs winners: Kahn Grayson (men’s open, junior boys open, secondary schoolboys), Kandyce Bevan (women’s open, women’s B), Dave Raggett (men’s B), Matt Tietjen (men’s C), Casey Miller (women’s C), Matt Pennell (men’s D), Luke Low (men’s E, under-17 boys), Fleur Paenga (women’s E), Conner Fahey (men’s F), Jereme Taylor (ungraded men), Paige Bentley (junior girls open, secondary schoolgirls, u17 girls), Ky Bartlett (u15 boys, u13 boys, intermediate boys), Bella Seymour-Manuel (u15 girls), Lane Bartlett (u13 girls, intermediate girls), Tautui Collins (primary boys), Karli Bartlett (primary girls).