Professional Squash Returns to Christchurch

Professional squash returns to Christchurch this week after a ten year absence.

This weekend the Burnside and Squashways Squash Clubs host the Christchurch Boys’ High School International Squash Tournament. This year sees the inclusion of a Professional Men’s event which has been sanctioned by the Professional Squash Association (PSA).

The school has a rich heritage in squash. From 2009-11 the school won the Boys' National Secondary Schools Championships, and this year finished second to Tauranga Boys’ High School 2-3 in the teams event in an exciting final.  The school strongly supports its squash team, and the support it has given to this event is another manifestation of this.

Last year the school introduced the inaugural Christchurch Boys High School Open, which then this year has been advanced to PSA level. The US$5000 PSA prize money has been made possible by financial donations and fundraising. Simon Slade from DoubleDot Media is the main sponsor.

Men’s top seed Mike Corren from Adelaide will arrive in Christchurch as number one seed and World number 71. Corren has won an incredible 42 PSA events since he turned pro in 1994. At 38 and in the twilight of his career, Corren will still be hard to topple this weekend. A further four Australian players are also coming.

Second seed Evan Williams (Wellington) will be one to watch. The New Zealand number three at last year’s World Championships in Germany has played tournaments in Australia, New Zealand and South America this year, advancing his ranking to 91 in the world.

Third seed and recent CBHS Old Boy Paul Coll who was also part of that New Zealand team, and has had many strong PSA results this year. He will be looking for his first title on home soil.

The tournament will start with an opening on Thursday evening, with the final scheduled for 3pm on the Sunday at the Burnside Squash Club.  The tournament has attracted 96 players throughout the grades which will make a busy weekend for both clubs. Entry to the tournament for spectators is free.