Attitudes to squash criticised

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32703, 4 September 1971, Page 14

Attitudes to squash criticised

Some harsh words about the lack of dedi. cation in New Zealand’s leading squash players, and criticism of the general attitude to the sport in this country are to be found in the re-cently-published, “Dardir on Squash.” The co-authors are Mohamed Dardir, a former national squash coach, and Garth Gilmour, a former journalist who is now the principal of an Auckland public relations, firm. The book looks at many aspects of squash, not the least being the methods by which players can raise their standards. It is when discussing the performances of the New Zealand team at the 1969 world championships that Dardir, who has coached six world squash champions, gives vent to his feelings. ' In discussing the teams at the world championships he says that except for some aspects of their behaviour he was disappointed with the New Zealanders. “I realise that they are like most New Zealanders, basically social players, but when you are trying to be a competitive player at this level a casual attitude to training and tactics is totally negative. “Squash in New Zealand is a young sport and it, too, lacks idols. It’s mainly followed by businessmen sweating out grog, overeating and cigarettes, who don’t really care how they should play the game. They are mainly week-end players and if you are trying to be a dedicated competitive player you don’t want to come near them. “The kind of squash still being played in New Zealand developed from social squash; there isn’t the desire in most players to play it well. Yet New Zealanders would have the most natural ability for squash that I have ever seen; the pity is that they either don’t care or haven’t yet realised their potential to become truly world class.” In discussing the 1969 New Zealand team, the only one Dardir has a kind word for is Trevor Johnson. who he describes as the best player the country has produced and one who

has done remarkably well for the little amount of time he devotes to concentrated training. “But as a team the New Zealand attitude to training was not good. For instance I booked a court in England for three hours practice and they considered it was far too much, that so much practice might make them sick of the game. It made me so angry that I could have caught the next plane back to New Zealand. “If you are going to sicken so easily of a game you should be enjoying, you might as well give it away. The time spent in training should never be enough. “Surely when you are selected to represent your country you have an obligation to your country, if not to your own selfrespect, to do your best. Even if you know that you are not in the same standard as your competitors, surely you have a duty to try your hardest. It is such a greater honour to

represent yourself and your country, but these New Zealand boys ignored that. It seemed that all they wanted was the trip.” Dardir also castigates the players for their attitude before going overseas. He says that as soon as they were selected they threw their rackets aside and did not play for almost six weeks before. “I got them together at Christmas for a training camp. And even then it Was an effort to get them out of bed to train for only two hours a day.” The team’s behaviour on its return brings no less criticism. “When they came back to New Zealand they gave the game away because they’d enough of it. New Zealand had paid so much to send them overseas that it ekpected and had a right to see the players in action on their return. “What, in fact, did the association see for the $12,000 it spent on the tour? Only one member of the team bothered to play in the 1969 nationals in July, more than four months after the world trip.”