An update on the court improvement projects and the club kit that we mentioned in last month’s Newsletter, a heads-up about some upcoming events, plus a few other things....

Bob Benton

Our best wishes are with Bob.  Bob had another heart scare on court last week.  He is recovering well and should be back home from hospital soon.  Everyone in the clubhouse at the time immediately responded, in particular Jo Prior, Rachel Williamson (two of our tennis members), Gill Trimmer and Graham Garlick.  We look forward to seeing Bob back at the club before long but, Bob (as I’m sure you’ll be reading this), maybe nowhere near a squash court from now on!

Update on court improvement projects

The work is progressing well (see attached photo).  The builders have completed their work this week:  concrete backwalls to courts 5 and 6 have been demolished, steel supports for the balcony have been installed and the pipework has been boxed in.  The courtfitters start on Monday, installing the glass backwalls and the glass balustrades on the balcony, and making good the joins with the floor and sidewalls - and, while they are doing that, giving the floors and sidewalls a refresh.

All being well, the courts will be reopening w/c 9th September, although we may need to hold them back for a couple of days for the plaster to fully dry and in case of need for any snagging.  They are going to look brilliant!  And, yes (a number of you have asked), the door to court 6 will be in the middle of the court!

In the previous Newsletter we gave a reminder not to wear on court any training shoes that are not for indoor use and that do not have non-marking soles.  We would add to this request that your court shoes should not be worn outside, i.e. put them on when you arrive at the club, otherwise they will bring grit and dirt onto the courts. Thank you.

Next projects

With the courts looking pristine, it will highlight that it has been many years since we last decorated the balcony and it is now looking as if it belongs in a tobacco-stained boozer.  So we’ll give it a lick of white paint.

And we’re going to find space somewhere for a Heritage Wall.  The club has had many characters over the years and we would love to have some mementoes on the wall.  To start us off, we have a few pictures that used to be in the old lounge bar, but it would be great to hear from any of you who have similar photographs at home that would be good for this record of our archives - please speak to John.

Update on club kit

We are about to receive from Dunlop a range of their shirts in all sizes, so we can start taking orders.  Adam and John will then be doing their best Fast Show, Suits You impression to get you all signing up, in readiness for the new season (Herts League and Bucks League matches start on October).  More news on this any day.

New season

For the professionals, things are already getting underway.

Our assistant coach, Grace Gear, recently turned professional after finishing university and is currently playing a series of three tournaments in Australia.  Grace triumphed in the second of these (see attached photo) and we wish her luck in the last event, which is underway now.

A number of other players in the pro squad who are part of Adam’s BEST Academy at the club - Adrian Waller, Tom Richards, Ben Coleman and Alison Waters - are currently travelling to China for the first major event of the PSA season.  Coincidentally, Adrian is drawn against the Egyptian shotmaker Mazen Hesham in the second round, who was training with him at our club just the other day (see attached photo).

For the rest of us, Mark will shortly be reaching out to you all to see who would like to play team squash this season.  

Ali will once again be sponsoring and running the 1st team.  We will be fielding a pro at number 1, Grace will be playing, Adam will be playing when his coaching allows, Ali will be showing the ability that took him into the England over-35 team last season, and we will have club stalwarts such as Dan Ludlam, Julian Vecchio and Richard Carr in the team.  (And most of those guys play in our internal box leagues - unlike any other club in Herts.)  Come along and support - organise a game beforehand, get a pint, and see top squash.  We’ll be posting details of the home matches once the fixture list is out.

Ladies squash and squash57

When Grace returns from Oz next week, the Ladies mornings (Fridays at 10am) will be recommencing (as will the Junior afternoons).  And the week of Sep 23rd to Sep 29th is Women’s Squash Week around the world.  We will be running coaching sessions for all abilities, probably in association with Tring club.  Please contact Adam for details.

County championships

For those who want to enter - and there are graded B and C events as well as age group events - the Herts County Champs are on the weekend of Oct 11th/13th at Radlett.  This year they have also included a squash57 event. Entry details are on the Herts squash website.

Our squash57 team plays in the Bucks League and, if any of our players would like to enter the Bucks County Champs for squash57, that is being held on the weekend of Sep 21st/22nd at Aylesbury.  Entry details are on the Bucks squash website.

Fun night

Gill and Richard are organising the next evening, to kick-off the new season, on Friday 4th October.  Have a few games of squash or squash57, have a few drinks, have some food.  Put it in your calendar now.  Full details soon.

That’s all for now.

Squash & Squash57 Committee