Chairman's Report for season 2000 – 2001

 Without doubt, the success of the season has been the re emergence of squash at junior club level, with children in different parts of the county playing competitive squash against other clubs. With much advice and encouragement from George Williams, much thanks must go to the parents and organisers at the squash clubs of Alderley Edge, Barnton, Bollington, Bowdon, Chester RFC, Hyde Cricket, Glossop/ New Mills, Grove Park, Moss Farm, Poynton, Prestbury, Widnes, Woolston. Other clubs, too, are establishing junior sections and together we are planning to build on this new beginning. This season has been a learning season for us and we look for greater participation and enjoyment next season.

  With help with funds from the Millennium Awards we are now in a position to help clubs, should they need equipment for beginners and new members. Should clubs need the loan of rackets and balls they should contact Alan Batchelor. Clubs are also encouraged to contact us if they have someone in their club who is considering taking the SRA coaching course or assistant coach course.

  Our plan is to do all we can to help this grass roots level to flourish, and we would encourage you all to ensure that there is a junior section at your club and that you are not working in isolation, but together with us and the SRA. Make sure that you know about the Club Accreditation Scheme and the Junior  Skills Award Scheme.

The County Closed Championships took place in October and I wish to thank John Larmouth, who did all the administration, and all the other helpers and markers over the weekend.

The results were as follows:

Boys U19       1. Nick Murrills       2. Brian Foster    3. Simon Taylor

                        4. Joe Edwards    5. Matthew Batchelor    6. Tom Dobson

 Boys U17       WINNER  Adam Wildig                            RUNNER-UP Thomas Javanaud

                        3. Michael Waight                            4. James Larmouth

                        PLATE WINNER  Richard Hart           PLATE RUNNER-UP  Gareth Owen

Boys U15       WINNNER  Tom Wildig                        RUNNER-UP  Robert Begg

                        3. Jonathan Hewitt                            4. Justin Perring

                        PLATE WINNER  Richard Jones          PLATE RUNNER-UP Timothy Morris

  Boys U13       WINNER  Nathan Langley                  RUNNER-UP  Oliver Wildig

                        3. Jonathan Bailey                            4. Hadleigh Forman

                        PLATE WINNER  Jade Dudley            PLATE RUNNER-UP  Alexander Gibson

Girls U19        1. Sarah Kippax             2. Cheryl Blake                      3. Klair Blake

 Girls U17        1. Kathryn Hill            2. Nina McLoughlin          3. Sarah-Jayne Larmouth

                        4. Antonia Slade

 Girls U13       WINNER Franci Kippax                 RUNNER-UP Annabel Williams

                        3. Jessica Taylor                        4. Nichola Howell

                        PLATE WINNER  Kirsty West       PLATE RUNNER-UP  Pippa Scarrett

 Mixed U11     1. Adam Murrills                           2. Tob Hubbard

                        3. Nicholas Thompson                4. Ben Stutchbury

At County team level we had a mixed set of results, with greater success in the boys teams.

   The U19 boys, in the premier division came second in their group in stage one to make it through to the Championship finals in February, played at Wimbledon Parkside. We narrowly lost 2-3 to Surrey in the semi final, this despite being without the services of our No 3.

  The U17  boys in division one,  won their group in Stage one. In Stage two, promotion to the Premier Division depended on defeating Derbyshire on the Sunday. With two Derbyshire players ranked higher than our 1 and 2 it was all going to depend on winning at 3, 4, and 5. Our no.3 came from 2 nil down to win 3 – 2. The No 5 also won in five and we comfortably won at no. 4.  So Premier division next year.

  The U15 boys, also in division 1 were 2nd in their group in Stage 1. At stage 2 they narrowly missed promotion by 2 points

  The U13 boys and U13 girls were also 2nd in their groups at stage one. At stage two the girls were second to Yorkshire, but the boys were outplayed in Leicestershire.

  The Annual mixed U11 competition was held in December at Alderley Edge, with Cheshire finishing 5th.

  The Northern Cup was staged a month later than usual, this time in May. Due to a number of circumstances, exams etc.  we fielded an U15 and U17 boys team in Nottinghamshire and an U17 girls team in Yorkshire. Both boys teams finished 4th.

  I have to express some concern at this point in my report. While the boys side seems healthy, we are struggling on the girls side and we as a county need to address the matter. We are not alone. Terry Dudley from Yorkshire writes in his Northern Cup report: “Only one County fielded teams in all age groups, and only 4 counties fielded U13 teams. One County did not play in any age group.”

  I am sure that there are many reasons for the situation, but I am sure that one of the major reasons is that we do not have a ‘manager’ for each team. In seasons past we had managers for each boys team and each girls team, in addition to other willing helpers. Now there seems to be fewer of us trying, and sometimes failing, to do more and more, leading to the inevitable burn out.

  I do want to thank very much all of the junior committee who have helped so much this season, at I look forward to more people joining us for next season.

  On a final note I would like to congratulate all our former junior players who continue to play squash at a high level. To name but a few – Patrick Foster, Drewe Williams, Andy Whipp, Liam Foster, Brian Foster, Nick Murrills. I’d love to be informed about other boys and girls as I’m sure the list must be much longer.

Alan Batchelor

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