Warrnambool City Council has partnered with Squash & Racquetball Victoria to bring a junior squash tournament to the city over the next three years.
Around 40 young players from Melbourne, regional Victoria and South Australia are expected to travel to Warrnambool to compete in the inaugural event from August 17-18.
This event will include a full day training camp with some of Victoria’s top coaches on Saturday to increase participation in the Warrnambool and South West regional junior space.
This will be followed by a junior bronze squash tournament on Sunday.
The junior bronze events count towards the junior ranking and the junior state selection.
Warrnambool Mayor Ben Blain said Council was pleased to work with Squash & Racquetball Victoria to deliver tournaments in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
“Especially during the off season, anything we can do to encourage more people to come to Warrnambool and stay for a few nights is really important,” he said.
“The advantage of junior sports competitions is that competitors are not traveling alone. For every competitor, there is at least one adult traveling with them and, in many cases, it is a family affair with parents, siblings and other family members.”
Squash & Racquetball Victoria CEO Dennis Makaling expressed his gratitude to Warrnambool City Council for partnering with the state squash association and Warrnambool Action Squash Club to host the junior bronze event.
“When we visit regional cities, we like to add as much value as possible for the competitors, as well as all the local players,” he said.
“Prior to the event there will be a coaching clinic by two top coaches hosted by Squash & Racquetball Victoria for local junior players from Warrnambool and neighbouring clubs in the region.
“This will be followed by social play sessions between squash coaches and adult players from Warrnambool Action Squash Club.”
Warrnambool Action Squash Club president Bevan Sextus said he was looking forward to the event in August.
“From a local club perspective, we appreciate the assistance of Warrnambool City Council and Squash & Racquetball Victoria in supporting this event as we look to develop and grow our young participants to ensure the future of squash in Warrnambool,” he said.
“The club has received significant support from the Warrnambool Community Development Fund providing equipment and facility upgrades to help us provide easy access for new and novice members.
“It has also allowed us to partner with local schools through their sports and recreation programs, in the hope of translating this short-term commitment into long-term involvement.”
Players will be in action from 9am to approximately 4pm on Sunday 18 August at the Warrnambool Action Squash Club on Timor St, with free entry for spectators.
/Public dissemination. This content from the original organization/authors may be of a timely nature and edited for clarity, style, and length. Mirage.News takes no institutional position or bias, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s). See the full story here.