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Squash Section Report to the Executive Committee
9th May 2002
Competitions
The 31st Club Championship Finals took place on 27 April. In a repeat of the previous two men's finals, Glenn Danks defeated Brett Green by three games to love (9/3, 9/6, 9/6) to become Club Champion for the 7th time. Lorna Robinson successfully defended her Ladies title, beating Frances Heneghan by three games to love (9/3, 9/1, 9/3), and in an intriguing contest, Simon Harrison won the Plate Competition, overcoming the veteran Jonathan Bomford, by three games to one (2/9, 9/6, 9/2, 9/3), avenging his defeat by Jonathan's son Tom in the main event. All the finals produced a very high standard of squash and sportsmanship, but it was disappointing that there were significantly fewer entries this year, particularly ladies. Many thanks to Paul for organising the Events, and to Tony, Errol, and others who marked the matches.
Squash Gallery
Thanks to John Johnson and Gerald Heath for installing the new Gallery lighting, which is now specific to each court. It is remarkable that it has taken us 30 years to organise light switches in the Gallery itself. All that now remains is for the floor to be covered, and an intermediate viewing tier to be installed.
Squash Courts
We are still awaiting a response from Stuart Brooks of Watson Brook, following the meeting on the condition of the floors. Bill Pevy of England Squash has written formally to him, seeking his proposals to follow up the issues raised at the meeting. In the mean time, there has been no evidence of further deterioration in the floors, and the Karakal advertisements are now in place.
Squash Supper
We were very disappointed that only 50 people attended the first Squash
Supper for many years; these included 15 active Squash and 4 active Tennis
players !! Numbers were made up by retired Squash players, and members'
families. Paul Heneghan has commentated on the lack of support on the website at
http://heneghan.members.beeb.net/tournaments/cc2002/commentaries.html
and a copy of Paul's Rant is attached as an Appendix to this Report, as I
believe that the serious points that he makes are of relevance to attitudes
throughout the Club.
Those who attended enjoyed a superb range of cold buffets and sweets, prepared by Gray, Christina, Karen, Ros, Frances and Karen to whom many thanks, and danced to an excellent disco. During the evening we were presented with our England Squash Club Charter Bronze Award by Gail Kerrison, Regional Development Officer for England Squash.
Evesham High School
We have had further discussions with Julie Howell of Evesham High School, who are now planning to use the courts on Thursday afternoons for an initial trial period. We have offered to provide them with 2 membership cards to access the Club and courts, and have invited their members to attend either Junior Coaching or Thursday Clubnights.
England Squash Affiliation Fees
We are intending to switch from the present Club (court-based) Affiliation fees to the new Individual Membership Scheme with effect from ! January 2003, based on membership at 31 December 2002, following renewals for the Club's next financial year. Thereafter, all squash playing members will become individual members of England Squash. On the basis of about 100 adult and 20 junior squash players, this is likely to result in an increase of about £300 per annum in Affiliation Fees payable by the Club.
England Squash Coaching Course
We have agreed to host an England Squash Grade 1 Coaching course, provisionally arranged for the end of November. This should generate revenue for the Club through court hire charges and bar sales, and will provide an opportunity for members to gain an initial coaching qualification.
Regatta
Members of the Squash Section again ran the Regatta Barbecue. Turnover
totalled £1,646, up by 5% on last year's sales, once more contributing over
£1,000 in profit. Many thanks to Christina, Karen, Ros, Jackie, Clive, Ken,
Paul and Errol for their hard work. Other Squash players helped to run the bars,
and marshal the boats.
Brian Ireland
Squash Captain
8 May 2002
Appendix: Paul's Rant!
(by Paul Heneghan, Hon. Sec of the Squash Section)
Now for the unpleasant part! Where was all the support for this major club event (The Squash Championship Finals and Presentation Supper and Disco)? There are probably about 100 active Squash players in the club, and I counted about 19 spectating the finals and a depressing 15 at the Squash supper.
Even the entry for the tournament was a bit half hearted. It would be very wrong to force people to play in tournaments against their will, but it is great for Club morale to get large entries for these competitions. It's also an opportunity for lower-standard players to play against the team players. I try to make things as easy as possible by bending over backwards to reschedule early matches whenever possible - obviously the finals (and probably the semis) cannot be rescheduled.
I'm now going to be presumptuous and say what I think is expected of members of a members club. A members club is NOT a money-making club (unlike a commercial club which makes money for the owners/shareholders). Subscriptions are kept to a minimum on the understanding that people will volunteer their services and help out where required. Members have a moral responsibility to contribute in some way to the Club to ensure its success and survival.
Some people will feel able to contribute enormous amounts of time/work (think of John Lomas and many others over the years - from a Squash point of view in particular, I remember the huge number of hours of unpleasant work removing floorboards and plasterwork from the courts after the '98 flood carried out mainly by Rod Gough, Mike Francis and myself). Some people contribute by entering competitions in a playing, marking or spectating capacity, attending Squash, tennis and rowing suppers, buying raffle tickets, having a drink (or two) in the bar after a match etc. These are equally valid ways of contributing to a club. However, using the Club purely as a place to play Squash cheaply is not really fair on those who do put in the contributions and keep the subscriptions as low as they are.
So, how can you contribute?
There are so many ways you can contribute according to your available time, skills etc.
- Enter the organised events - any capacity is fine - playing, marking, spectating, writing commentaries, organising, running the barbecue, etc.
- Play for the teams. There are teams to suit most standards from county standard to juniors.
- Support the social events - Squash, rowing and tennis suppers etc. Turning up and eating is great. Helping organise and preparing the food is even better.
- Help out with the ad hoc working parties. Look at what was achieved recently in the Squash balcony and the men's changing rooms.
- Become a committee member.
- Help with the juniors. We need more coaches. Anyone interested?
So, next year when I email you with details of the 2003 Club Championship and Squash Supper, what about putting the dates in your diary and keeping that weekend free? You might win a £100 squash racket!