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By Mark Steeden

Playing at Lexden squash club the over 45's team was a mixture of experience and youth!

The first match against Middlesex went to plan with a win with the standout performance for Tom Woods at one taking a mammoth match 11-9 in the 5th against a very tough opponent. There were good performances from the Knole Park new boys James Hall and Jon Winter who also won their matches. The only downside to this match was Duane having to pull out of the next match due to a back injury. 5-0 Kent

Second match vs Surrey

Surrey always turns up with strong sides and this weekend was no exception. Mark Mink stepped up to replace Duane but after a spirited performance, he eventually went down 11-8 in the 5th against a very tricky opponent. Mark Steeden also had a great match against a player 2000 points above him on SquashLevels but eventually went down 11-9 in the 5th. 5-0 Surrey

Third match vs Essex

With second place to play for, the stakes were high going into this match.

First on was

Colin Payne Kent Open, sponsored by 501 Entertainment, at Tunbridge Wells Squash Club, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.

Women’s Final:

(4) Satomi Watanabe (JAP) beat (1) Torrie Malik (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 (31m)

Men’s Final:

(1) Curtis Malik (ENG) beat (7) James Peach (ENG) 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4 (41m)

 The Colin Payne Kent Open, sponsored by 501 Entertainment and staged at Tunbridge Wells Squash Club, was a massive success with the added bonus of a special TV feature on BBC South East.

Two entertaining finals were won by Curtis Malik and Japan’s Satomi Watanabe, a student at Roehampton University with a former world ranking of 44.

Malik, from Sussex, beat Yorkshire’s James Peach in the men’s final with younger sister Torrie Malik, top seed in the women’s event at the age of 17, losing to Watanabe despite a battling comeback after surrendering the first two games.

In the last tournament of the year in the UK, Peach beat Kent’s No.2 seed Josh Masters in the men’s

The Bexley Open Graded tournament returns to the calendar and will be run on Saturday the 20th of November 2021.

The tournament will be run with the categories below:

A GRADE - FOR MEN AND WOMEN WHO PLAY AT DIV 1 MEN'S COUNTY LEAGUE STANDARD(SQUASH LEVELS ABOVE 4000

B GRADE - FOR MEN AND WOMEN WHO PLAY DIV 2/3 MEN'S COUNTY LEAGUE STANDARD(SQUASH LEVELS 2500- 3999

C GRADE - MEN WHO PLAY IN LOWER DIV TEAM OR HIGH LADIES TEAM(SQUASH LEVELS 1000-2499

D GRADE - MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE NOT IN ANY TEAMS BUT PLAY IN CLUBS INTERNAL LEAGUES(SQUASH LEVELS BELOW 1000

The event will be hosted by Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash & Racketball Club.

To enter, please email tournament organiser, Ben Ford at londonsquashcoach@hotmail.com or complete and send the entry form below:

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ENTRY FORM

Ben Ford
Tournament Organiser

ENTER ONLINE AT WWW.CMSTRINGERS.COM/ENTRY

The Ali Quealy Squash Open returns to the calendar and will be run on Saturday the 13th of November 2021.

The event will also be raising money for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) so there will be a lot going on during the day :)

This event will be a one-day event run on Saturday the 13th of November 2021 with the categories below:

A Grade (8 places) – Players in the PSA, County Premier or 1st Division League Team (Squash Levels: 4800+ )
B Grade (24 places) – Players in a County League 2nd or 3rd Division League Team (Squash Levels: 2200-4799)
C Grade (16 places) – Players in a County League 4th or 5th or Lower Division League Team (Squash Levels: 1000-2199)
D Grade (16 places) – Non-Team Players who play recreationally or in a Club internal League (Squash Levels: 200-999)
E Grade (8 places) – Non-Team Players who play recreationally or in a Club internal League (Squash Levels: 0-199)

• Trophies for all grade and plate winners!
• Entry fee £

ENTER ONLINE AT: WWW.CMSTRINGERS.COM/ENTRY

The Thanet Open is back and boasts a £6000 prize fund for this year's edition.

The prize money breakdown for the A Grade/Pro event is: Winner: £1200, Runner-Up: £1000, Semi-Final: £700, 1/4 Final: £350, Last 16: £125

This event will be run from Friday 5th November to Sunday 7th November 2021 with the categories below:

A Grade (28 places) - Squash Levels: 5800 and above (PSA Players plus 8 local Kent based players)
B Grade (28 places) - Squash Levels: 2400-5799 (Club Team Players)
C Grade (28 places) - Squash Levels: 1000-2399 (Internal Club League Players)
D Grade (16 places) - Squash Levels: 200-999 (Recreational Players)
E Grade (8 places) - Squash Levels: 0 - 200 (Beginners and Young Juniors)

A to C Grades will be run on Saturday and Sunday (Friday will be used for Round 1 matches for draws over 24 players)

D & E Grades will be run as one-day events on Sunday only.

MORE INFORMATION

• Trophies for all grade and plate winners!
• Entry fee £20, pay

ONLINE ENTRY AT: WWW.CMSTRINGERS.COM/ENTRY

The Hythe Open is back after a 2 year absence!

This event will be a one-day event run on Saturday the 30th of October 2021 with the categories below.

B Grade (12 places) – Players in a County League 2nd or 3rd Division League Team (Squash Levels: 2200-4800)
C Grade (16 places) – Players in a County League 4th or 5th or Lower Division League Team (Squash Levels: 1000-2199)

• Trophies for all grade and plate winners!
• Entry fee £20, payable by cash or card on the day!
• Entry Fee includes The Hythe Open 2021 tournament t-shirt
• All players are guaranteed a minimum of three matches as the event will be run using the monrad format.
• For all enquiries please email me at joe@cmstringers.com or call/text 07909 531367

Joe Magor
Tournament Organiser

 Kent Squash AGM 2021

Minutes of the AGM held Wednesday, July 28^th, 8.00pm

Committee in attendance – Nigel Pope,(Thanet) Gerard L’Aimable,(Park Langley) Gloria Riley,(Dover) Ben Ford, (Bexley) Baz Hodson,(Hythe) John Creek, (Knole Park)  Brian Hollands (Folkestone)

Clubs in attendance – Thanet, Dover, Canterbury, Bexley, Park Langley, Glenn Mousley, Hythe, Folkestone, Knole Park, Martin Clark Rodmersham, Claire Goodayle, Mote, Kevin Clark, Blackheath

1. Apologies – Tom Swain Biddenden, Joe Magor, Canterbury


2. AGM minutes 2020 - any noted amends and approval – minutes of the 2020 AGM were agreed as a true record and no amendments were made.  Proposed John Creek, seconded Baz Hodson. Agreed.


3. Chairman’s Report – The Chairman asked if anyone would be interested in coming forward to act as Chairman. He briefly outlines what had been happening from a committee’s point of view during the lockdown. He commented on the three new roles created in the last 6-9 months. Steve Franks was hugely

EVERY TUESDAY STARTING 27^TH JULY 2021

DATES: 27/7, 3/8, 10/8, 17/8, 24/8, 31/8

TIME: 9.30am – 1.00pm    COST: £20

WITH COACHES - JOSH MASTERS & BEN GOODAYLE

TO BOOK YOUR PLACE EMAIL OR TEXT:

clairegoodayle@btinternet.com/07867 786346

KSRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday 1st July 2020

Minutes of the AGM were held via zoom due to the coronavirus pandemic

Attendees; (23 an increase noted on physical attendance at Bexley Park in previous years)

Committee Representatives were Gerard L’Aimable (Park Langley), Baz Hodson (Hythe), Nigel Pope (Thanet), Gloria Riley (Dover), Steve Franks (ES & Bromley CC), John Creek (Knole Park), John Hogwood (Maidstone), Paul Roberts (Bexley), Joe Magor (Canterbury)

Club Representatives were Nicola Smith (Canterbury), Claire Goodayle (Mote), Danny Downing (Blackheath), Mark@Beckenham, Kevin Clark (Blackheath), Neville Sears (Rodmersham), John Williams (Park Langley) Jason Barry (ES coach), Darryl Wilson (Thanet), Simon Ashby (Biddenden), Martin Clark (Rodmersham), Graham Cutting (Canterbury), Harry@dulwich, Tim Garner (Dulwich)

Apologies received from Tony Hooper

1. AGM minutes 2019 were agreed as a true record and no amendments were made. (Acceptance via a zoom poll & all in favour with n

Wednesday July 28^th 8.00pm

The committee invite all Clubs to attend a zoom AGM on Wednesday 28^th July at 8.00pm.  The necessary reports for the meeting are available below.  The agenda for the evening is as follows:

1. Apologies
2. AGM minutes 2020 - any noted amends and approval
3. Chairman Report
4. Treasurer Report -vote on League fees and re-election on auditor
5. Director of Sport, Head Coach and Development Officers Report
6. Election of Trustees & Officers
7. League & Cup Competitions:

• vote on updated league rules

1. Covid-19 - A phased reopening
2. Website/Marketing Report
3. A.O.B

If anyone would like to stand for the roles of Chair, Treasurer or Secretary please let Gloria Riley know before July 25^th.

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

Gloria Riley

Secretary

Lockdown has caused squash major problems, which is an understatement! In the last 10 months, the courts have been closed most of the time but that does not mean our Kent Juniors have to stop playing!!

Kent coaches have been taking their juniors outside, putting up the mini squash nets, and keeping squash alive for them. It has allowed the juniors to keep their fitness levels up along with their passion for our great sport.

The sessions are just as challenging as playing inside as they are cardio intensive. It does allow the coach to focus on the junior’s movement and overall technique with positive feedback from juniors and parents alike.

If you’re a coach, when restrictions are lifted try this at your club or a location near to you! you will be amazed at the outcome!

If you need any support please contact our Kent SDO Steve Franks, elsteveo969@hotmail.co.uk who will be pleased to help you.

Squash Ghosting Workshop #2

This workshop focuses on squash-specific ghosting movements and is perfect for those stuck indoors with no current access to a squash court!

The types of movement covered in these sample videos are:

1) Open Stance - Front Forehand To Rear Backhand

2) Open Stance - Front Forehand To Rear Forehand 

3) Open Stance - Forehand Volley To Front Backhand

4) Open Stance - Backhand Volley To Front Forehand

5) Open Stance - Volleys Across The T-Line

6) Closed Stance - Front Forehand To Open Stance Rear Backhand

7) Ghosting - Random Shots And Stances/Footwork

Strength and Conditioning Workshop #1

This workshop covers 3 broad elements:

 1) A fitness challenge to serve as a baseline for further improvement and give you an idea of how well conditioned you are.

2) A series of 5 strength exercises with progressive levels of difficulty to work towards no matter what your starting level of strength is currently. There are some targets to work towards for each exercise that will act as a benchmark for your strength. You may find you are already near to some of them but further away from others, which will help you narrow down your weaker areas for training. Overall, they provide a good foundation with which to continue on with most other full-body exercises. They can be practised on their own or factored into other exercise sessions.

 3) Endurance challenges comprising of a selection of the same exercises but at slightly easier levels, designed to challenge the muscles over a longer period of tension.

 By using the accompanying conditioning log yo

Zoom Meeting Details

Topic: Kent Schools Squash Workshop

Time: Feb 7, 2021 10:00 AM London

Zoom Meeting Link: https://bit.ly/KentSW1

Meeting ID: 894 7434 9024

Passcode: 590109

Squash is often referred to as physical chess and in most cases, the player focuses on the physical side 100% not considering that if they were to take time out from all the court lengths and look at strengthening their mental approach this would accelerate their development.

This course of workshops gives the junior player an introduction into developing their mental strength by discussing ways to handle pressure, build confidence, motivate themselves, and how to use mental imagery techniques to enhance their performance.

 Kent’s SDO Steve Franks uses his findings from the High-Performance Award and his life experiences to help the junior to start to think about how they can become mentally stronger on and off-court.

 Please contact Steve on elsteveo969@hotmail.co.uk to arrange a workshop for your junior.

 More about Steve and Kent Squash can be seen on https://www.kentsra.co.uk

The Bexley Open 2020 - PSA action returns to Kent!

The Bexley Open 2020, held on the 19^th & 20^th of December 2020 at Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club, will be the first Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournament to be run in Kent since the UK national lockdown in March 2020.

The event, being run by newly appointed Kent Head Coach, Ben Ford, will feature a 16 player men’s and women’s draw and is a registered PSA Challenger 3 event.

The tournament, created by Ford as a means to get a series of lower PSA ranked players back on court competing has been well received by local donors and companies who have come together to help raise funds for the tournament costs and prize money fund. Many of these players have not competed in an event since pre-lockdown in March and this is hopefully the first of many events to follow that are targeted at the lower-ranked bracket of players, helping them to earn much-needed ranking points, prize money and match practice.

Kent’s top two

Kent Squash & Racketball Association are pleased to announce the formation of a new Kent Squash Development Team.

Following a round of interviews for the positions of Director of Sport, Head Coach and Development officer we can confirm that these positions have been filled by:

Baz Hodson - Director of Sport

Ben Ford - Head Coach

Steve Franks - Development Officer

We would like to congratulate all three candidates on their appointment and look forward to the positive changes they will bring to the development of squash in Kent.

Baz Hodson will be responsible for coordinating and managing work of the Head Coach and Development Officer and reporting back to the Kent SRA Committee on the progress of the Kent Squash development program strategy & plan. He will also oversee culture, values and behaviours of the leadership team and manage/develop relationships with key Kent SRA stakeholders, club chairmans and any Kent leisure facility representatives.

Ben Ford will be responsible for Coachi

CM Stringers are pleased to announce their support for The Bexley Open PSA Satellite event being organised by Ben Ford at Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club next month with the aim to get lower ranked professional squash players back on court earning valuable ranking points and prize money. Unisex T-Shirts and Ladies Vests of the event are available with profits going towards the prize fund to top up our sponsorship pledge :)

They are available to order directly from our new web site and can be posted directly to you.

The can be ordered directly at: https:www.cmstringers.com/bexley

It probably comes as no surprise to most, but just to confirm - England Squash has issued guidance to squash clubs, venues and coaches following the UK Government’s proposal to introduce a four-week national lockdown. Squash clubs and venues should prepare to close from this Thursday, 5 November to Wednesday, 2 December inclusive. These lockdown measures are dependent upon a House of Commons vote this Wednesday, 4 November and should it pass, squash clubs and venues are likely to be ordered to close from Thursday. We will continue to seek advice from Sport England, DCMS and other partners, and will share more news on Wednesday with guidance on the actions that clubs/venues should take.