Sport
23 May, 2025
Tournament attracts quality entries
SQUASH and racquetball enthusiasts were treated to some highly skilled junior games last weekend.
Organised by Warrnambool City Council in conjunction with Squash & Racquetball Victoria, the tournament attracted 29 young players from Melbourne, regional Victoria and South Australia.
This event included a training session of Victoria’s Junior Performance Program coaching with state team coaches Cassie Thomas and Amelia Martin early Saturday afternoon before the competition started later in the day.
The competition was a Silver level event which allows juniors to accumulate points towards their Australian junior ranking (as well as possible state team selection).
Squash & Racquetball Victoria general manager Dennis Makaling expressed his gratitude to the Warrnambool City Council for partnering with the state squash association and Warrnambool Action Squash Club to host the silver junior event.
“When we visit regional cities, we like to add as much value as we can for the competitors, as well as for all local players,” Makaling said.
It is anticipated this tournament will continue to be held annually in Warrnambool for the next two years.
Local coaches Jason Bilson, Geoff Harris and Gavin Flett hold regular training sessions with junior members each Monday night.
The Warrnambool-based club has had great support from the Warrnambool Community Development Fund for equipment and facility upgrades to allow easy access for new members.
This has also enabled the club to partner with local schools as part of their sport and recreation programs to hopefully translate this short engagement into long term participation.
Squash & Racquetball Victoria competition coordinator David Cowell said he was pleased with last weekend’s turnout and the standard of matches played.
“Seeing these juniors, from the start of the year to now, showed just how much they’ve improved, and the quality of squash they are playing now is very impressive,” Cowell said.
Results
Division one: winner Haider Naqvi, runner-up Connor Harberecht.
Division two: winner Pierre Ibrahim, runner-up Jackson Martin.
Division three: winner Jay Porwal, runner-up Adam Kamal.
Division four: winner Krishiv Tarway, runner-up Meriam Ibrahim.
Division five: winner Isabella Hendry (SA), runner-up Tyson Reese.
