Full Programme For Squash Players

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 9

Full Programme For Squash Players

AFANY of the leading sports A A have become highly commercialised in recent years, often involving enormous financial outlay—and profit. Davis Cup challenge rounds, cricket test matches. Empire and Olympic Games facilities and professional golf are really big business and so it is refreshing to find a sport able to develop without the benefit of finance through spectator support.

Squash rackets is an outstanding example. Courts for this energetic indoor game are expensive to build, and few’ clubs can afford large spectator galleries. In many parts of the squash, playing world, major events are still contested before only a fraction of the numbers who would like to attend.

In Britain, the game has been established for years as a highly competitive sport and the best amatuers contest a continual series of tournaments all over the country, with international matches, junior, schools and services events. Then there is the open championship in which the finest players in the world, both amateur and professional, are seen; it is the highlight of the season. The world renowned Kahn family from Pakistan has dominated the professional scene for many years, and the Kahns are regularly seen in England and other

squash-playing countries. In New Zealand, interest in the game has increased steadily and there is a growing list of tournaments for both men and women.

The New Zealand Squash Rackets Association, which has its headquarters in Palmerston North, recently advised that the tournament dates for 1962 had been arranged. and it is obvious that the leading players will be kept busy. In the South Island circuit alone, the Canterbury open championships at Christchurch. started yesterday and will be followed by the South Canterbury event at Timaru on June 23. The Christchurch closed titles will be played each night for a week, starting on Monday, July 2, the North Otago championships at Oamaru on July 7, the South Island championships at Christchurch during the week-end from August 4, and the New Zealand handicap tournament at Oamaru on September 15. The Southland titles, set down for September 1. may be changed to June 30. for the best of the southerners may be a little stale after a tournament season culminating in the New Zealand event from August 25 at Palmerston North. In the North Island the picture is very similar. The first event of the season the Manawatu championships

were played last weekend. They will be followed by the Waikato and Wairarapa titles and the North Island championships at Henderson. Auckland on July 14. On August 11, at Henderson, a sponsored tournament will be played for the second successive year and the New Zealand championships will be followed by the Hawke's Bay titles at Napier on Septembe:B. In addition to this formidable list of tournaments, the Cousins Shield, the symbol of club supremacy, is held throughout the season in both Islands with the final held just before die New Zealand titles. This year the South Island final is scheduled for Timaru on July 21. and the North Island final for Auckland on July 28. Development It seems impossible to forecast the extent to which squash rackets will eventually develop in New Zealand, but it is unfortunate that the game has to rely so heavily on debentures for the building of new courts, and club membership and tournament entry fees for its finance. Yet the national association has affiliated five new clubs this season, with new courts at Paeroa, Te Awamutu and Kawano* Park (New Plymouithi. There are courts planned at North Shore, Takapuna and Mitchell Park, Lower Hutt.

New Zealand's two topranked players. C. Waugh, of Palmerston North, and I. Easton, af Hamilton, plgn a private visit to the Australian championships this year, in spite of the busy season they will have at home, and it appears likely that a New Zealand team will be invited to visit New South Wales in 1963 Meanwhile, the itinerary has been announced for the team of four New Zealand women who will tour Australia this season.