New Zealand's Shelley Kitchen has retained her place in the world's top 10 ranked women's squash players for the start of the new year.

Kitchen remains at number 10 on the January list, completing a successful 2008 squash season.

In the past 12 months the 29-year-old kiwi has been as high as number six in the world, and has maintained a top 10 ranking almost the entire calendar year, with the November list the only exception when Kitchen dropped to number 12.

Meanwhile, fellow kiwi Jaclyn Hawkes has slipped one place to number 17 this month, while Louise Crome has held steady at number 27.

But there is no holding rising star Joelle King back. The 20-year-old has climbed to yet another career best at number 45 in the world, up three places from her previous best set last month.

Following hot on her heels is Kylie Lindsay who has also set another personal benchmark, climbing two places to a career best 54 this month.

On the men's list, Kashif Shuja continues to lead the kiwi charge, bouncing up three places to number 38 this month, just one shy of his career best set in November last year.

Campbell Grayson remains steady on his best ever ranking of 65 while Martin Knight has joined the party in setting new career milestones, climbing three places to number 76.

Young Scott Galloway has performed extremely well at the recently concluded Scottish Junior Open. Scott from the Mitchell Park Club funded his trip through a number of fund raising methods & has reaped the rewards, finishing in 2nd place to the No1 seed from India, Pankhuri Malhotra.

Scott began the Tournament in the Under 13 Division seeded 15. This is a great result as Scott is not even 12 yet. A great future lies ahead for him, and Congratulations go out to him from the District, his Coaches & to his Parents & Supporters

Message from the Chairperson, Squash Wellington, Tony Alexander,

On behalf of the Board, Staff & Convenors of Squash Wellington,

I would like to wish all sponsors, members, players & volunteers of the District a very Merry & Happy Christmas & a safe & prosperous New Year.

Kind regards & best wishes for 2009

Tony.

The 2009 Tournament Calendars for

New Zealand & Wellington

Can now be viewed on the Events Calendar page

New Zealand is set to add another chapter to its proud history of hosting world squash championships.

The World Squash Federation has confirmed New Zealand as host of the World Women's Teams Squash Championships in 2010.

It will be the third event hosted in New Zealand in the space of six years, following a very successful World Junior Men's Championships in Palmerston North in 2006, and the equally impressive 2008 Masters Championships in Christchurch.

The 2010 event is also slated for Palmerston North, with the New Zealand Squash board flagging the central North Island town as its preferred host. The event is scheduled to be held from November 28 to December 4 2010, with at least 20 countries expected to be represented.

2010 Championships Chairman Grant Smith and his organising team are excited at the challenge of hosting another world event, having previously been involved in the Junior Men's event two years ago. "With our previous experience, we know the expectations that come with hosting an event of this magnitude and we are grateful for the opportunity to host again.

"This is a great opportunity for the Kiwi girls to play on the international stage in front of their home crowd and they will be eager to do well" Smith said.

On court New Zealand should field a strong team, with four players currently ranked in the world's top 50. The team, led by world number 10 Shelley Kitchen, finished fourth in this year's event in Egypt. There will also be a familiar face in the team manager's role, with former world champion Dame Susan Devoy agreeing to remain in the role she so successfully filled in Cairo.

In Olympic - Paralympic style, the 2010 World Deaf Squash Championships will be played directly after the World Women's Teams event.

Issue # 3

News Letter from Mike (The T) Thompson - CEO Squash NZ

Hi, Please find linked below the December issue on happenings at Squash NZ.

I hope you enjoy this and future reads.

Regards

Mike Thompson Chief Executive

Click Here….For Issue # 3

No matter what you do there will always be critics

To view the latest issue of Squash Wellington's newsletter...

"The Backhander"

please click on link below

Click Here….For Issue # 9

Great success for Wellington Squash Players at the NZ College Games in Hamilton

Wellington Squash was represented by 4 players at this event and came away with 3 Golds & 1 Silver

Gold went to Emma Millar, Rebecca Barnett, Jonathon Barnett & Silver to Zac Millar

A fantastic result & congratulations to all the players

This sporting event for high school students is held every 4 years on the same year as the World Olympic Games.

This is the third time it has been held.

There are 20 different sports and unlike the 'real' Olympics, squash is included.

There are 4 divisions in the squash with U15 boys and U15 girls, also Boys Open and Girls Open.

Nick Mita from Squash Wellington is the

Sport Wellington Coach of the Month for November.

In 2008 Nick has been the coach of all the Wellington District representative teams, Senior & Junior. The Senior men won the national title for the second consecutive year.

The Junior women won the NZ Junior national title for the first time in 16 years.

Along with these national success’s Nick also coached both the Senior & Junior Tri angular teams, winning both titles. His contribution and guidance has been instrumental in all the squash teams success

In disagreements, fight fairly.

No name calling.

This sporting event for high school students is held every 4 years on the same year as the World Olympic Games. This is the third time it has been held. There are 20 different sports and unlike the 'real' Olympics, squash is included.

There are 4 divisions in the squash with U15 boys and U15 girls, also Boys Open and Girls Open. Both Jonathan and Rebecca, now the highest graded 14 year olds in NZ, are top seeds and are representing Hutt Valley High School. Paraparaumu's A-grade junior Emma Millar is top seed in the Open draw and Zac Millar features in the U15 Boys. It looks promising for Wellington District to come away with a few medals.

Those interested in more information about the NZ College Games can visit their website at

http://www.nzcg.co.nz/index.cfm/1,136,0,47,html

The Last Tournament of 2008

Is due to start on Wed 10th December at Tawa Squash

The Tawa Xmas Ham & Turkey tournament which is a lot of FUN, requires great skill to win the Ham, but all players win a prize..... Ham's, Turkeys, Xmas Boxes, Big Chook's & much much more

Open to all graded & non graded players

Special section if you are over 60 years of age

Enter online now & be part of this great event

Click Here….For Poster & Details

New Zealand has been ranked as one of the medal contenders at this month's Women's World Team Squash Championship in Egypt.

The kiwi quartet has been seeded third, two places higher than they finished at the previous world champs two years ago. England heads into the event as title favourite with 2006 runner-up Egypt seeded second.

The New Zealand team's strength is in its depth, with world number 12 Shelley Kitchen joined by 16th ranked Jaclyn Hawkes, Louise Crome (26) and Joelle King (50).

The kiwi team will face sixth seeded Ireland in pool play, along with USA (11), Italy (14) and China (19). The Chinese are making their debut at the world champs.

The Women's World Team Championship is in Cairo from 30 November to 6 December.

Pools (seeding indicated)

Pool A: (1) England, (8) France, (9) Hong Kong, (16) Spain, (17) Austria Pool B: (2) Egypt, (7) Australia, (10) Canada, (15) Japan, (18) Switzerland Pool C: (3) New Zealand, (6) Ireland, (11) USA, (14) Italy, (19) China Pool D: (4) Malaysia, (5) Netherlands, (12) Germany, (13) South Africa

For all the Team & Media Information Click on Link below

Click Here….For More Information

The 44th Annual General Meeting of the Squash Wellington Districts Inc was held last night at the Mana Squash Club

The incoming Board for the District was elected & Board positions will be decided at the 1st meeting on Monday 8th December.

The minutes, year book & details will be sent to all Clubs in due course.

Thank you to retiring Board members...............

Rob Walker (Mana)

Ray Tuffin (Island Bay)

Welcome to the new Board for 2008 / 2009

Tony Alexander (Woodbourne)

Mason Robinson (Celtic)

Peter Bowers (Tawa)

Jim Canning ( Mitchell Park)

Shaun Billowes (Tawa)

Peter Reynolds (Thorndon)

The 2008 Squash Wellington Awards were held in Blenheim on Saturday night. Held at the Club's of Marlborough (what an incredible complex), we celebrated a year of achievement & success.

Peter Bowers MC for the evening kept proceedings running smoothly & we were entertained by "CRIMPY" (Daryl Crimp from the Fishing paper) the guest speaker for 30 minutes, who then presented the main awards, Thank You Peter & Daryl.

A wine tour hosted by our Chairpersons wife Brenda Alexander went down a treat & the Squash & Golf Tournaments between the North & South was hotly contested, with the South coming out narrow winners 405 points to 396. They get BRAGGING rights until next year when we intend to hold the 2009 Awards under a similar format.

Brenda also was the organiser in Blenheim for this years Awards, Thank You Brenda.

2008 Award Winners

Club Coach of the Year, Gary Aukett, Mitchell Park

(Paul Barnett, President of Mitchell Park accepted all the awards on behalf of Mitchell Park)

Referee of the Year, Janet Udy, Marlborough Squash Club

Volunteer of the Year, Shona Seymour, Motueka

(Nick Wiffen from Motueka accepting on behalf of Shona)

Most Improved Junior Boy, Alex Walker, Mitchell Park

Most Improved Junior Girl, Ellen Denny , Masterton

(Pam Britt, President of Masterton, accepting on behalf of Ellen)

Champion of Champions Supreme Award

Congratulations to Monica Hardegger - Island Bay

(Differential of 77/4 over 3 matches) ...winner of $1000.00 worth of 'Black Knight" products & trophy

Mens Player of the Year, Shane Johnston, Khandallah

Women's Player of the Year, Emma Millar, Kapiti

Coach of the Year, Nicola Ward - Thomas, Tawa

Club Team of the Year

Mitchell Park B Grade Men, Mitchell Park

(Winners Super Champ Nationals B Grade 2008)

District Team of the Year

Team Wellington Men, Wellington District

Team Wellington Coach, Nick Mita

(accepting the National Men's Team Trophy)

Club of the Year , Marlborough College

(Neil Sinclair, President Marlborough College Squash, 'Club of the Year')

Darren Slape Memorial Bowl, Paul Roughan, Marlborough SRC

(Paul Roughan, Winner of the Darren Slape Memorial Bowl, with Mike & Leonie Slape, Darren's parents)

Jade Wilson Memorial Trophy, Christine Barnett, Mitchell Park

(Christine Barnett, Winner of the Jade Wilson Memorial Trophy with Rob Walker, who presented on behalf of Jade's family)

The junior selectors have announced the October 31, junior national rankings.

Check out the link below for the full list. As well as age groups, there is a overall ranking list.

http://www.squashnz.co.nz/highperformance/JuniorRanking.asp

Squash Wellington pays tribute to Major Bill Dyson.

Our sympathy and condolences go out to his family.

Bill Dyson was the first paid Squash Wellington Executive Officer from 1980 to 1990.

During his time we (Squash Wellington) ran pokie machines in what is now Molly Malones Irish Pub, in Wellington and the "original" cash reserves of the Association were due in no small part to Bill's work running the machines.

Bill's age is not given in the death notice, but we suspect that he would have to be in his very late 80's, if not early 90's.

Bill's Funeral was held at the Church of St Anthony, Falkirk Avenue, Seatoun, at 1pm on Friday 7th November.

A big win for New Zealand's Shelley Kitchen on the WISPA world squash tour.

The fourth seeded kiwi is through to the final of the Carol Weymuller Open in New York, after a surprise victory over top seed and world number four Rachael Grinham from Australia.

Kitchen has drifted to number 12 in the rankings over the past couple of months, but rediscovered her winning touch with an 11/9 11/9 11/8 victory over her Australian rival.

The kiwi number one will face second seeded American Natalie Grainger in the final tomorrow. Grainger is through to the title decider after beating Dutch third seed Vanessa Atkinson in four. The world number three also defeated New Zealand's Jaclyn Hawkes in straight games in the quarterfinals.

Details about this great event are linked below....

2008 Award Nominees

Click Here….For Award Nominees

Awards Information Poster

Click Here….For Awards Information Poster

Awards Reservation Form

Click Here….For Awards Reservation Form

Travel Alternatives

Click Here….For Other Travel Options

Get in now....Don't miss out

New Zealand takes four titles at World Masters Squash Championships in Christchurch

Spearheaded by three-time world champions Barry Gardiner and Richard Purser, New Zealand took out four titles at the HEAD World Masters Squash Championship, which concluded on Saturday afternoon. Gardiner (Christchurch), who was also the chairman of the organising committee, won the men's 70-74 title beating South African Brian Heath 9-6, 9-0, 9-3. This goes with the 50-54 title he won in Auckland in 1991 and 60-64 title from Sheffield in 2000. Purser (Auckland) was successful in the 65-69 section, beating Ted Vale (Aust) 9-0, 9-6, 9-1. He won previously in Melbourne in 2001 and Auckland in 1991 Kay Newman (Hamilton), another multi champion, added the women's 45-49 title to the championship she won in Melbourne in 1995, beating Sue Williams (Aust) 9-3, 9- 3, 9-2. Gary Duberly (Auckland) was the last Kiwi winner, taking the men's 40-44 section in a gruelling hour-long battle over Englishman Richard Elliott 10-8, 4-9, 9-5, 0-9, 9-2. Final results Men Men 35-39: Jason Mudge (Aust) beat Scott Gardiner (NZ) 9-3, 10-8, 9-0 Men 40-44: Gary Duberly (NZ) b Richard Elliott (England) 10-8, 4-9, 9-5, 0-9, 9-2 Men 45-49: Trevor Wilkinson (RSA) b Warren Miller (Aust) 9-6, 9-3, 5-9, 9-4 Men 50-54: Geoff Davenport (Aust) b Pierr Roodt RSA) 9-1, 9-5, 9-1 Men 55-59: Michael Bester (RSA) b Bruce Turner (Aust) 9-4, 9-1, 9-6 Men 60-64: Brian Cook (Aust) b Hugh Colburn (Aust) 9-6, 6-9, 9-6, 9-0 Men 65-69: Richard Purser (NZ) b Ted Vale (Aust) 9-0, 9-6, 9-1 Men 70-74: Barry Gardiner (NZ) b Brian Heath (RSA) 9-6, 9-0, 9-3 Men 75 plus: John Irving (RSA) b Bill Berry (NZ) 5-9 ,9-5, 9-3, 9-6 Women Women 35-39: Amanda Hopps (Aust) b Lisa Cowlard (NZ) 5-9, 9-2, 9-2, 9-4 Women 40-44: Sarah Nelson (Aust) b Sonia Pinter (RSA) 9-2, 7-9, 7-9, 9-2, 9-2 Women 45-49: Kay Newman (NZ) b Sue Williams (Aust) 9-3, 9-3, 9-2 Women 50-54: Julie Field (England) b Lisa O'Grady (RSA) 10-9, 9-2, 9-0. Women 55-59: Gay Mitchell (Australia) b Francy Stephenson (NZ) 9-0, 9-3, 9-3. Women 60-64: Averil Murphy (England) b Ann Manley (England) 9-7, 9-1, 9-6 Women 65-69: Jean Grainger (RSA) b Antoinette Morris (RSA) 9-0, 9-3, 9-1 Women 70 plus: Averil Heath (RSA) 1, Jean Murray (Sco) 2, Aileen Cook (Aust) 3, Hazel Marsh (England) 4.

Check out the link below for full results and draws.

http://www.worldmasterssquash.com/

The top stars on the WISPA World Tour will be revealed like never before in the 2009 WISPA Calendar which is launched today by the Women's International Squash Players' Association. Set to become a collectors' item, the inaugural WISPA Calendar features a number of top stars - led by world champion Nicol David.

Not only with rackets in hand, but also in high fashion outfits, the players reveal 'super model' attributes as part of the package.

Twelve players …. twelve months … the first WISPA Calendar is set to change the face of women's squash!

"Anybody who has ever wanted a date with a top female squash player can now have 365 of them!" said WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley.

Check out link below for full article.

http://www.squash360.com/News/WISPA/WISPA-Reveals-Its-Calendar-Girls.html

Do or do not. There is no try.

The following is the DRAW for the teams involved in

finals & 3rd/4th matches on 4th & 5th November 2008.

The HOME team is the FIRST listed team.

MENS MATCHES - 4th Nov

Men's Div 1

Masterton v's Khandallah B

Khandallah A v's Mitchell Park

Men's Div 2

Collegians v's Mana

Fraser Park v's Upper Hutt

Men's Div 3

Mitchell Park v's Red Star

Khandallah v's Northern

Men's Div 4 Kapiti Seniors v's Wainuiomata Fraser Park v's Red Star

Men's Div 5

Collegians v's Mitchell Park

Northern v's Upper Hutt

Men's Div 6

Mitchell Park v's Fraser Park

Masterton v Red Star

Men's Div 7

Collegians v's Mitchell Park

Northern v Khandallah

WOMENS MATCHES - 5th Nov

Women's Div 1 ~ as per the draw.

Women's Div 2

Kapiti v's Northern

Mitchell Park v's Upper Hutt

Women's Div 3

Thorndon A v's Fraser Park

Thorndon B v's Khandallah B

Wellington Junior Rankings as at October 2008

The latest Junior Rankings as at 26th October 2008 have just been released.

Click on link below to view

Click Here….For Latest Rankings

Under the Rules of the Squash Wellington Constitution.

Notice is hereby given that the 2008 Annual General Meeting of Squash Wellington Districts Inc,

will be held on Monday the 17th November at 7pm.

The venue is at the Mana Squash Club

Nominations have closed

All information can be obtained by clicking on the links below.

For all enquiries please contact the Administration Manager

Diane Walker, Phone 04 233 9680

E-Mail - admin@squashwellington.org.nz

Click Here….For the AGM Agenda & Information

Click Here….For Board Nomination Form

Squash Wellington Junior Girls have taken out the National Team's title at the New Zealand Junior Squash Championships in Palmerston North.

The Team (pictured above):

(B) Christine Barnett, Manager. Eliza Sim, Nick Mita, Coach. Gemma Gee.

(F) Rebecca Barnett, Leah Orr, Emma Millar.

Wellington has taken out the title on a countback of points won against Waikato, after the two sides claimed two matches each in the final and were also level on games won with six each.

In the end, Wellington was crowned champion by 82 points to 71.

Singles champion Amanda Cranston completed the tournament unbeaten with a 9/2 9/6 9/3 victory over Wellington number one Emma Millar while Waikato number two Alana Sincock also won in straight games against Eliza Sim.

However, Wellington number three Rebecca Barnett proved too good for Sarah Gilmore, winning 9/0 9/0 9/3 while Gemma Gee wrapped up the title for Wellington with a 9/7 9/0 9/7 victory over Jorja Tarrant.

Final results...

1st and 2nd - Waikato v Wellington

Amanda Cranston vs Emma Millar - Waik won 9/2 9/6 9/3

Alana Sincock vs Eliza Sim - Waik won 9/6 9/5 9/6

Sarah Gilmore vs Rebecca Barnett - Wgtn won 9/0 9/0 9/3

Jorja Tarrant vs Gemma Gee - Wgtn won 9/7 9/0 9/7

Wellington bt Waikato 2 matches all (6/6 games all; 82 to 71 points)

With Emma winning the National U17 title and our Men winning the Senior NZ teams title Wellington squash is in great shape

Congratulations to all & especially our Coach Development Manager, Nick Mita

Emma Millar from the Kapiti Club has won the NZ Under 17 Girls title at the NZ Junior Squash Championships in Palmerston North.

Other Wellington players to do well included, Keegan Burkhart, Jonathon Barnett, Rebecca Barnett, Eliza Sim & Scott Galloway.

Finals results as follows.

Auckland's Campbell Grayson and Waikato's Amanda Cranston have taken out the glamour under 19 titles at the New Zealand Junior Squash Championships in Palmerston North.

Second seeded Grayson had a tight battle with Bay of Plenty's Matiu Te Kani-McQueen in the boys final, eventually overcoming the fourth seed 9/7 9/3 7/9 10/8.

However, top seeded Cranston was more convincing in the girls final, defeating second seeded Amanda Landers-Murphy from Central 9/5 9/7 9/7.

But the most convincing victory of the day went to fast-rising star Abbie Palmer from Auckland, who beat Canterbury's Claire Cumming 9/1 9/1 9/2 in the under 13 girls final.

Full results...

Boys Under 19 Final

Alex Grayson (Auck) bt Matiu Te Kani-McQueen (BOP) 9/7 9/3 7/9 10/8

Boys Under 17 Final

Tate Matson (Nthlnd) bt Lance Beddoes (Auck) 9/2 3/9 9/6 9/3

Boys Under 15 Final

Todd Redman (Eastn) bt Jonathon Barnett (Wgtn) 9/1 9/5 9/6

Boys Under 13 Final

Jordan Le Comte bt Scott Galloway (Wgtn) 9/7 2/9 9/4 9/5

Boys Under 11 Final

Alex Revington (BOP) bt Rios McGhee-Moleta (Eastn) 9/4 9/5 9/5

Girls Under 19 Final

Amanda Cranston (Waikato) bt Amanda Landers-Murphy (Cent) 9/5 9/7 9/7

Girls Under 17 Final

Emma Millar (Wgtn) bt Megan Craig (Cant) 10/8 9/7 92

Girls Under 15 Final

Ashleigh Dunstan (BOP) bt Rebecca Barnett (Wgtn) 6/9 9/1 9/1 9/6

Girls Under 13 Final

Abbie Palmer (Auck) bt Claire Cumming (Cant) 9/1 9/1 9/2

Girls Under 11 Final

Camden Te Kani-McQueen (BOP) bt Anna Hughes (Auck) 9/2 7/9 9/3 5/9 9/0

The under 19 boy's title looks set to be hotly contested at this year's New Zealand Junior Squash Championships in Palmerston North.

(draws available from Monday - see link below)

With Wellington's Evan Williams unable to defend the title he won in 2007 due to turning 19 last week, the door has opened for his three teammates from July's Junior Men's World Championships in Switzerland.

Auckland's Alex Grayson and Cameron Jamieson, and Wellington's Keegan Burkhart all have the credentials to take out the under 19 crown, although they are not the only players with a realistic chance at winning. Bay of Plenty's Matiu Te Kani-McQueen is also capable of being in the mix, as is Auckland's Lui Syder, who was a late withdrawal from the world championship team due to injury.

In contrast, the under 19 girl's event looks likely to be a one horse race. Waikato's Amanda Cranston is the red hot favourite to retain the title she won in 2007. Central's Amanda Landers-Murphy is expected to be Cranston's stiffest opposition, while the Waikato pair of Alana Sincock and Kendyl Morris could also be in the mix.

The New Zealand Junior Squash Championships get underway at SquashGym in Palmerston North on Thursday October 2, with 250 juniors competing across the various age groups.

Previous winners of the glamour under 19 titles include Dame Susan Devoy, Shelley Kitchen and Ross Norman.

The Wellington Team is....

Boys:

Keeghan Burkhart, Collegians: Richard Pittams, Upper Hutt

Sean O’Connell, Waimea: Josh Wood, Waimea:

Ben Allan, Collegians:

Girls:

Emma Millar, Kapiti: Eliza Sim, Tawa:

Rebecca Barnett, Mitchell Park: Gemma Gee, Upper Hutt:

Leah Orr, Nelson:

Coach: Nick Mita. Manager: Christine Barnett.

We wish the Team every success.

The Draws will be available from Monday

Click Here….For Draws

Procrastination!!!!

Yesterday