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Squash Section Report to the Executive Committee
1st August, 2002
Squash Activities
Although it is now off season for Squash, the courts continue to be used regularly during weekday evenings, and Club Night still attracts a number of regulars and potential new members of all levels. The Junior training term ended with 8 young players passing their 3 star tests, a tremendous achievement considering that they only took up the game in September. 9 players have gained 2 stars, and another player 1 star. We much appreciate the hard work that Errol has put into launching Junior Squash, with considerable support from Karen, Neil and Simon.
New Members
Tom Bomford has joined us recently, and has already made his mark in the Worcestershire Summer League team. We also welcome back Anne Tomkins, a former team player, on her return to the area.
National Squash Week
England Squash are promoting the game at national level with National Squash Week from 21 to 28 September, preceded by a media campaign to raise the profile of Squash. We have registered for a club support pack, and plan to organise events aimed at attracting new members of all ages. It is likely that our Club Handicap Tournament will take place at about this time, and this will again be open to participation by potential new members.
Squash Gallery
Work on the Squash Gallery is now almost complete, and we are indebted to Wayne Hooper for building the second viewing tier. All that remains is for this to be painted, and the floor covered.
Squash Courts
We have now received a revised quotation from Watson Brook to rectify the floors. This covers the same work as was previously quoted, but the price is reduced from £1,550 to £1,000 per court. We are still not happy at the prospect of paying this contractor to rectify their own failures, and the quote makes no reference to the specific defects identified in the Report by Bill Pevy (Technical Consultant to England Squash) of 18 Feb, which was agreed by Junckers (floor manufacturers). Bill Pevy has spoken with the managing director of Junckers on his concerns at the unsatisfactory response from Watson Brook, and he has undertaken to use his influence to try to persuade them to adopt a more helpful attitude. I am not very hopeful that this will be effective. Bill Pevy has also indicated to Junckers that if Watson Brook fail to take prompt action to resolve the problems he will recommend England Squash to remove them from their list of approved contractors. It is now becoming increasingly important that action is taken before the start of the new season, and we are obtaining quotes for the necessary work from alternative contractors. We may have to consider whether we are prepared to take legal action in this matter.
A closely related problem is that of court heating, and last autumn the courts undoubtedly suffered from rapid changes in both temperature and humidity at a time when the heating was not working. I believe that this contributed to the contraction and expansion of the floors, and that we must take steps to maintain court temperatures and humidity at reasonably consistent levels. This would depend on there being no breakdowns when the outside temperature falls, and limited court heating being maintained on a 24 basis during the winter months. This may necessitate separating the court heating from the overall club heating system, and should be taken into account in the current discussions on their replacement.
Brian Ireland
Squash Captain
31 July 2002