ISLE OF MAN NATIONAL SQUASH WEEK
28TH OCT – 02ND NOV 2002

The NSC and Onchan Squash Club played host to a FREE week of squash. Manx Sport Development together with Gianni Epifani from the Isle of Man Sports Council, funded and helped promote this 1st time venture to raise the profile of this fast and exciting game.

This was a great opportunity for new and improving players to have a go and receive expert coaching and advice from the island’s top players & coaches. David Norman who organised the event said “ it was a huge success”. With almost 50 beginners attending the NSC on Monday evening and a further 35+ at Onchan Squash Club on the Tuesday. Everyone had the opportunity to play and receive free coaching and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves. On Wednesday the Elite Junior Squad paired up with the Senior Squad, where all were put through their paces. Thursday saw 45 juniors, who had received coaching in the morning, compete in a competition that afternoon. Thursday evening was again reserved for the adult beginners at the NSC and then the Senior Squad for training. All players were encouraged to watch.

Friday was a rest day for players & coaches, getting ready for the weekend’s tournaments and exhibition matches.

On the Saturday from 9am – 2pm, the NSC hosted a beginners competition. The men’s section was won by John Scott with Gordon Beresford as runner up, the ladies winner was Carrie Jackson and Shirley Glover the runner up. In the junior beginners division, Nathan Charles came out tops with Andrew Skillen as runner up. From 3pm – 6pm another competition was held this time at Onchan Squash Club for the more experienced players. From 6pm the players had a well earned pint whilst watching the current island champion David Norman take on the best of the rest in succession. Monty Lowe played some of his best squash and was narrowly beaten. Next on was John Knight who was dispatched with conviction, maybe the games he had played all afternoon prior to this one had left him with insufficient energy. A fresh Richard Corlett competed well for the 1st half, and with Dave on game point Richard found some magic to bring the game level at 14/14. A grandstand sudden death finish with everyone holding what breath they had left to see Dave complete his 3rd victory. (The matches were best of 1).

The grand finale of the evening was an exhibition doubles match demonstrated by Les Callow and Dave Norman against Richard Corlett & Mike Hebden. Dave & Les came out the victors thanks to Les and his new magic wand. (Unknown racquet make which he picked up in Liverpool on a special 2 for 1 deal at the bargain price of £30!)

David would like to thank Les Callow, Christine Lowe, Terry Tracy, Sue Hanrahan, Liz Kelly, Joan Norman and John Smith for all their hard work, also everyone who took part in making this event a huge success.

Further opportunities are available for all enthusiastic players to play at the NSC on Thursdays from 7pm – 9pm (all abilities), Saturdays for junior coaching 10.30am – 12pm. For full details of what’s on offer and where, contact Gianni Epifani on Tel: 688555. Onchan Squash Club members club night is held every Sunday night from 5.30pm – 7.30pm as well as fitness training on Tuesday evenings. Contact Les Callow at Onchan Squash Club Tel : 623348.