Events: Squash players thrive at Masters Games

Andrew Moffat

Doubles players thrived during the TET Taranaki Masters Games squash.

28 players entered the tournament which featured both doubles and singles.

Inglewood Squash Club tournament organiser Pauline Stachurski says the Games tournament slotted well into the club’s busy calendar.

Everyone who played enjoyed themselves and were keen to see squash continue in the Games again next year. The doubles competition was especially popular, she said.

“Afterwards people didn’t want to go home, and we were out on the deck and the sun was shining down as we enjoyed the social side. It was a friendly atmosphere,” she said. “People were making some really great connections”.

Jacinta Harrison, who played doubles with long-time partner Chelsea Aim, said she was keen to be involved in the Masters.

“Masters tournaments are always far more social,” she says. “Just sometimes it’s good to take the young guns out of it.”

Jacinta, who is the president of New Plymouth’s Kawaroa squash club. said playing doubles was perfect for many, who were keen to play without having to run themselves into the ground. The tournament was also a great place to bring some more entertaining, low percentage shots out of the bag as well, she said.

Squash was “really starting to find its place in the mainstream” with stars like Joelle King and Paul Coll helping to lift the sport’s profile.

In Taranaki, smaller clubs like Inglewood and Waitara were doing some great things, she said while Kawaroa continued to be the largest Taranaki club. Recent court upgrades there meant the club was now eligible to host Professional Squash Association events.

The sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics would also help to build interest but approachable tournaments like the Masters were also part of the mix and she was keen to see it happen again next year. “It’s awesome to have squash involved as it can sometimes miss out,” she said.