The Warrnambool City Council has partnered with Squash & Racquetball Victoria to stage a junior squash tournament in the city for the next three years.
About 40 young players from Melbourne, regional Victoria and South Australia are expected to travel to Warrnambool to take part in the first event from August 17-18.
This event will incorporate a full day training camp with some of the Victoria’s best coaches on the Saturday to increase participation within the junior space of Warrnambool and the South West region.
This will be followed by a bronze junior squash tournament on the Sunday.
Bronze junior events count towards junior rankings and state junior selection.
Warrnambool Mayor Ben Blain said that Council was happy to work with Squash & Racquetball Victoria to secure tournaments in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
“Especially during the off-peak season, anything we can do to encourage more people to come to Warrnambool and spend a few nights is really important,” he said.
“The great thing about junior sporting events is that the competitors don’t travel alone. For every competitor you’ve got at least one adult travelling with them, and in many cases it’s a whole family affair with parents, siblings and other relatives.”
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 bronze 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,” he said.
“Prior to the event, there will be a coaching clinic by two high level coaches organised by Squash & Racquetball Victoria for the local junior players in Warrnambool and neighbouring clubs in the region.
“This will be followed by the squash coaches socially playing with the adult players from the Warrnambool Action Squash Club.”
Warrnambool Action Squash Club President Bevan Sextus said that he was looking forward to the event in August.
“From a local club perspective we appreciate the assistance of both the Warrnambool City Council and Squash & Racquetball Victoria in supporting this event as we wish to grow and develop our junior participants to ensure the future of squash in Warrnambool,” he said.
“The club has had great support from the Warrnambool Community Development Fund in providing equipment and facility upgrades to aid us in providing easy access to new and beginning members.
“This has also enabled us to partner with the local schools as part of their sport and recreation programs to hopefully translate this short engagement into long term participation.”
Players will be in action from 9am until approximately 4pm on Sunday August 18 at the Warrnambool Action Squash Club on Timor St, with free entry for spectators.
