Inspirenet PSA Challenger Wrap-up

Two tough finals, but no titles for New Zealanders at the Inspirenet PSA Squash Classic Challenger tournaments at Palmerston North’s SquashGym over the weekend,

In the US$5,5000 women’s draw, Waikato’s Emma Millar did almost everything possible to win her final against top seed and world 90, Win Li Lai (Malaysia)

The match taking 42 minutes for Lai to win 11-9, 5-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8 after a good forehand volley winner to move to match point and then an error from Millar to seal the title.

It was the first career title for the Malaysian and leaves Millar still aiming for her first PSA tournament title.

On her way to the final Millar aged 27 and ranked 135 had two good victories over Kiwi rivals with success over Abbie Palmer and Kaitlyn Watts.

In the men’s US$11,000 draw Kiwi No.3 Evan Williams once again showed his consistency to make his way through a draw, but found himself beaten for a title; his sixth final since the beginning of 2018.

On this occasion Williams, the tournament second seed ranked 104 in the world was defeated by top seed Rex Hedrick (Australia) with a ranking of 68.

Hedrick won the entertaining final in Palmerston North in 60 minutes 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-7 with Williams, a member of the 2018 Commonwealth Games team coming incredibly close to taking the third game in particularly. However a couple of tight shots went the way of the Aussie at vital stages to help him win the game and then eventually take the match.   The next tournament is the ILT and Community Trust Southern Open 19-23 June US$11,000 men’s Challenger tournament.

First up loss for King

A difficult loss for Kiwi squash player, Joelle King in the first game of the PSA World Tour Finals in Cairo, Egypt.

King seeded fifth for the top-eight player tournament was defeated in 55 minutes by the fourth seed, Camille Serme from France in a match which had both players fighting for every shot.

The Waikato 30-year-old took the first game against Serme 14-12 in a game which took a staggering 20 minutes, however in the second it was the Frenchwoman who showed resolve to win 12-10.

In the best-of-three game tournament for Pool play the final game had a great start for the Kiwi who initially led 4-0. However Serme didn’t just gain one point back, she produced several deep shots to move ahead 5-4, then 6-4 before King even got a look in.

A let call in favour of the Kiwi followed by some more focussed play had King force her way back and then start stretching the lead until she eventually had a match point at 10-8. But it was not to be as Serme won three points in a row and then the winning point pushing King into the backhand corner and the error. The overall score 14-12, 10-12, 10-12 to Serme. King’s next Pool match will tomorrow (Tuesday) morning against feisty Welshwoman, Tesni Evans the eighth seed. Men’s tournament fifth seed, Paul Coll faces fourth seed Karim Abdel Gawad (Egypt) in his first match tomorrow morning at approximately 5.30am NZT. They are 2-2 in head-to-head contests.

Cousins Shield and Mitchell Cup 2019

Great success for Waikato with teams from Hamilton city winning the Cousins Shield and Mitchell Cup over the weekend at the SquashGym in Palmerston North.

In the men’s Cousins Shield Lugton Park won the title ahead of Hutt Valley with Auckland clubs, Herne Bay and Remuera third and fourth respectively.

Lugton Park beat Hutt Valley in the Cousins final 3-2 with 2018 Commonwealth Games team member Zac Millar, Temwa Chileshe and Finn Trimble winning for Lugton Park, but another Commonwealth Games player, Evan Williams taking the top match in four games for Hutt Valley over Lwamba Chileshe with Kayne Espinosa winning at No.5.

NZ AIMS Games 2019

Registration is OPEN for the sixteenth Anchor AIMS Games International Sporting Championships - set to take place in Tauranga, New Zealand from 9 – 12 September 2019

Barfoot & Thompson NZ Nationals - Entries close Monday 3rd June!!!

Barfoot and Thompson Senior Nationals (28th - 30th June) is open to all grades and is held at the National Squash Centre, Auckland. Entries close on Monday 4th June!

After an exceptional 2018/2019 season we are pleased to announce that Joelle King (WR 4) and Paul Coll (WR 7) will be returning to play the New Zealand Senior Nationals. Joelle will be returning after the World Series final in Dubai which features the top 8 players. Paul is also on his way to gaining a spot in this series.

Our Senior Nationals also features 2018 Gold Medallist Amanda Landers-Murphy and New Zealand Number 2 and Commonwealth games representative; Campbell Grayson.

To best accommodate our players the date of the Senior Nationals has changed to the 28th – 30th June

We look forward to showcasing our commonwealth games champions at the National Squash Centre where they will be playing against our established and emerging professionals.

Coll Beaten In Five Games In British Open Semis

So close, but so far for Kiwi squash pro, Paul Coll in the semifinals of the British Squash Open against world No.1 Ali Farag of Egypt.

Strong New Zealand team selected for World Junior Champs

A strong New Zealand junior squash team has been selected to compete in the 2019 WSF World Junior Squash Championships at Kuala Lumpur, July 30 – 9 August this year.

Paul Coll Makes British Open Semis But King Falls In Quarters

A win and a loss for the two Kiwis in the quarter-finals of the prestigious British Squash Open in Hull this morning.

Two Kiwis In British Open Quarter-finals

Two New Zealand players have confirmed their places in the quarter-finals of the prestigious British Squash Open after wins this morning.

Good Start For Coll And King At British Open

A mixed day for the three New Zealand players competing in the second round of the British Squash Open in Hull.

Win And A Loss In First Round Of British Open

A win and a loss for New Zealand players on day one of the British Squash Open in Hull.

Kiwi Squash Player Wins Manchester Open Title

A top win for Kiwi squash pro, Joelle King as she dismantled her Welsh opponent, world No.9 Tesni Evans in the final of the inaugural PSA Manchester Open this morning.

Joelle King Into Manchester Open Final

New Zealand’s world No.5 Joelle King has booked her place in the final of the inaugural Manchester Open after she defeated American, Amanda Sobhy in straight-games at the British National Squash Centre.

Wilson Confirmed As Coach

Former professional Glen Wilson has been appointed the Squash NZ 2019 World Men’s team coach and National HP Squad coach.

AON New Zealand Junior Open Success

A successful couple of weeks for Belmont Park’s Gabe Yam who won his third title, this time the AON New Zealand Junior Squash Open at the Devoy Squash and Fitness Centre in Tauranga

Joelle King Into Semis At Manchester Open

Another satisfying win has seen Kiwi squash pro, Joelle King progress to the semifinals at the PSA Silver Manchester Open.

Kiwi Takes Irish Open Squash Title

New Zealand men’s squash No.2 Campbell Grayson has won the PSA Challenger tournament, the Irish Squash Open in Dublin.

AON NZ Junior Open Ready to Kick Off

The prestigious AON New Zealand Junior Squash Open takes places over the next three days in Tauranga and it’s bringing close to 200 competitors, coaches and officials to the city.

More Wins For Kiwi Squash Duo

More wins for Kiwi squash duo as the build up to next month’s prestigious British Open continues.

Both Kiwi No.2 ranked players, Amanda Landers-Murphy and Campbell Grayson have reached the semifinals of their respective draws at the PSA Challenger tournament, the Irish Squash Open in Dublin.

Rotorua’s Landers-Murphy beat Enora Villard of France 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4 in her quarter-final and will now take on Nele Gilles of Belgium who is known very well to New Zealand audiences having played an exhibition series around the country over the summer.

Giles is ranked 29th in the world while Landers-Murphy is 41st. They have played on three previous occasion with the Belgian leading 2-1 in head-to-heads. Their last match was two years ago at the same tournament and a five set win to Giles.

Auckland’s Grayson accounted for England’s Richie Fallows in his quarter-final 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6 and will now play either a Czech or an Egyptian for a place in the final.

King And Coll Beaten In Egypt By World's Best

A tough day for Kiwi squash players Joelle King and Paul Coll at the PSA Platinum tournament at El Gouna, Egypt.

Kiwis Win in Australia

The rising stars of New Zealand squash have shown further improvement over their rivals in Australia by winning three titles at the Australian Open Junior Championships at Thornleigh, New South Wales today.