Squash News
1. Maintenance
The main revamp of the courts was done in early 2008. The total cost was ±R30 000- this was carried in full by the club. We would like to thank Chris, the Staff and the Exco members for their support.
We have to stick to a preventative maintenance plan to maintain what we have. In order to accomplish this, one court at a time will be closed from time to time. It will be done in the best possible way to minimize disruptions. (A comment was recently made that the courts are in such good condition, we don't have much to do, and we can relax….if only!)
2. Exco Meetings
Squash has been represented at the Exco meetings during 2008. The Exco members were well aware of challenges facing the Squash Section. Attending these meetings impressed on us the fact that the Squash Section is part of a bigger picture at the club and it's important to have the blessing and support of the Exco, in order for the Squash section to function properly.
3. Visitors Fee
The visitors fee was introduced during 2008 and has been successful. On one occasion I came across players from Durban, who approached me while I was playing, to buy light cards for them as the club would "charge them too much". The point is a visitor cannot expect to play at the same rate as a member. We therefore urge our members to stick to these rules when they play with non-members and to help us enforce the rule. In general the revenue for squash this year has been much better than the previous year and we need to keep on improving on this. More costs goes into a game of squash than meets the eye, so let's keep those money matters in order.
4. Membership
Just a friendly reminder to those who have not paid for 2009, time has run out. Also, husbands, wives, golfers, children, family etc please ensure that you are members!
5. Social aspects
One of our goals in the beginning of 2008 was to build a club for all members not only for the "selected few". Unfortunately in squash you don't have a handicap and stronger or weaker players don't always get to know each other. We move in certain circles and get to know those well with whom we play regularly. We therefore appeal to all players to be on the lookout for new members and to accommodate them into your groups.
The committee requests that we be aware of the following in order to improve camaraderie;- What happens on the court should stay on the court. Leave the "lets and strokes" and "misses and near misses" on the court.
- Be sensitive to the fact that your regular partner may want to play with others and don't feel offended when this happens.
- Better players will want to play with better players. Work your way up the ranks if you have ambition to improve. Concentrate on the factors in your control to improve your game, for example; fitness and diet will help a great deal to get you to where you want to be, or to play in the group you want to play.
- Don't criticize without offering a solution.
5. Summer League
We have entered one more team this year than last year and our teams are stronger than last year. If teams pull together we can really do well this year, which was evident from the first round of results - all three teams won. We considered entering a fourth team but, due to the format of summer league teams, we were unable to as we just do not have enough no 1, 2 and 3 players. The fact that some unhappiness exists when players don't make a team, is actually good news for the strength of the club. It means we are not scraping the barrel anymore to field teams. Being selected for a team has meaning and it rewards the player for hard work and talent. We will not apologize for selecting teams on basis of strength.
So, thumbs up summer league players, go out and do us proud.
6. Fourth league
As expected, players who did not make the summer league teams are disappointed; therefore we have decided to make the courts (with sponsored lights) available from 5pm -7pm on Wednesdays, only to these players, in view to possibly form a fourth league or perhaps a doubles league. Come on guys, the ball is in now your court, let's build something here!
7. Sponsors
Frank from Super Quick and Louise from LK Accounting have supported us throughout the year and we would like to thank them for their contributions to squash.
Get involved, it is the only way you can improve anything!!
The Team
Our contact details:
Gerhard – 0829204972 (gsnyman1@gmail.com)
Lesley – 0836316721 (sarge@webmail.co.za)
