Age won't squash pair's aspirations

The Hamilton Squash and Tennis Club is the home court of a reigning World Squash Masters Champion.

Trevor Coulter won the 2014 over 80s World Squash Masters in Hong Kong, and plays regularly at the club with his friend Ted Ruys.

The pair more than keep up with club members nearly half their age, and by next month will have a combined age of 160.

"We're very into our squash, it keeps us occupied and fairly fit," said Ted.

Ted plays twice a week, and Trevor gets out on the court four nights a week.

Trevor is there a bit more often, because he wants to keep himself ready to defend his title next year.

"I just keep playing constantly, if you have a rest you lose your fitness quickly and it's bloody hard getting it back," he said.

Trevor said he had to keep at the top of his game to play in the Masters; a lot of the other competitors were top players when they were young. Coulter on the other hand, start playing when he was 41.

"They've still got the skills, even if they don't get around the court as quick [as they used to]."

Fellow club member Keith Hitchcock has Ted pegged as a potential world champion, and said he beats Trevor fairly often. Ted said he wasn't sure about that, despite being very competitive, the pair don't keep track of who wins more often.

"He's more talented than I am [But] I keep Trevor on his toes, and get him groomed for the big shots," he said.

Trevor and Keith would like Ted to join Trevor at the 2016 Masters in Johannesburg, but unfortunately he didn't think he could; Ted said he had commitments at home that took priority over squash.

"I've got a wife at home who needs me, she's gone blind and things like that, so I'm committed on that score.

"She doesn't like the travelling [too far].

"I like the squash, and if things were a bit easier on the travel front, I'd go."