Squash: Novel tournament a shot in the dark

Squash players will be donning their whites and brights at this weekend's glow-in-the-dark BeeScene Black Light Doubles tournament in Whangarei.

Whangarei Academy of Squash president Alan Bee said it was a world first and a way of "lifting squash's profile in a novel way that is entertaining and stands out".

"We've got the club pretty well decked out with three out of four courts with black lights," he said.

The rackets, supplied by former World Champion Carol Owen of Black Knight Rackets, are painted with fluorescent paint, as are the balls, while specially imported tape is being used to mark out the court lines.

The 80 players will be required to wear as much white clothing as they can so they are more visible, he said.

The BeeScene Doubles tournament will kick off tomorrow night at the Squash club's Tarewa Rd facility, with competition continuing on Saturday from 3pm..

"We'll have a number of exhibition matches continually running. It'll just be a gold coin entry and the bar and kitchen will be open for those coming after work to grab some food and relax in a glowing environment," Mr Bee said.

"Even for those not familiar with squash it should be an interesting and entertaining show."

"[And] As far as we are aware, it is a New Zealand first for Black Light squash and a world first for Black Light doubles squash."

"The first Festival of Black Light Squash was held in February at the Warrick University Squash Club in the United Kingdom.

Whangarei's event will be the second such festival and has the added attraction of being a doubles tournament.

"We expect there will be many who want to be part of a world first event as well as the novelty of playing glowing squash in the dark."

Mr Bee said the best public viewing would actually be at an exhibition the club is holding next Wednesday from 6pm.

More information can be found at www.whangareisquash.co.nz.