Injury Prevention

I’m over here in Moncton and just spent some time at the Moncton Squash Club attending a clinic on Injury Prevention. It was somewhat informative, stressing the importance of pre-match warm-up and stretches in between games. Most of this stuff we already know… afterall it’s mostly common sense, however it is always good to be reminded.

One of the tips I thought was helpful was the idea of doing squash movements prior to a match. It not only helps to get the heart rate up but it conditions your body to be familiar with the moves. I’ve noticed Scott Gamble doing this before a match and now I know why.

So the idea is to warm-up to get your heart rate up. Warm body, less likely to get injured. Stretching is also essential but it doesn’t get your heart rate up, so it is suggested to do both, and to stretch between games.

Happy warm-up everyone!!

Cyn

Girl’s Rule!!

You’ll all be happy to hear that kick-off night for Women’s Night at UPEI was a hit (pun intended)!!

I showed up at 5:15 pm for beginner clinic and there were 2 people already waiting. 5 minutes later 2 more, then 2 more and before I knew it there were 7 women all wanting to learn how to hold a racquet and hit the ball.

Thanks to Carolyn Quinn for being there to give me a hand. We worked on the basics for about an hour and by the end of it, they were rallying, hitting the ball back and forth.

Welcome Lynn, Danielle, Lucy, Stacy, Karen, Jane and Carolyn. See you next week. Oh BTW, UPEI has come up with a very reasonable rate for Monday night Women’s night…just 40 bucks for the year!

After the beginner clinic and C/D play was over at 7:00, the A/B girls showed up and we played round robin until 8:30. Nice to see Carolyn Thorne back at it. As well, Pam Williams laced up the court shoes and had some great games with Kirstin Lund and Michelle Johnston.

So…overall…I’d say the inaugral 2006 Women’s Night at UPEI was a success. Thanks girls for coming out and having fun…more to come!

Cyn

Skirt Controversy Reveals An Unseemly Underworld!

A skirt controversy has erupted which promises to result in a rare public look into the unseemly underworld of squash…..a landmark decision by the Squash Krafters Internal Review Tribunal (SKIRT), has rejected Derek Lawther’s appeal to have the dare to wear a skirt in the Summerside Open thrown out on the grounds that by registration deadline, only 34 registrations had been received. This is 16 short of the required 50 (see “Top 3 Reasons to Play” post).

However, Michele LeClair, Squash PEI’s tournament director, argued successfully that registration numbers are, “…traditionally based upon the final draws, and that it is not uncommon to see a significant increase in the registrants between the deadline date and the date at which the draws are actually set. Since the draws will be set on Tuesday, players can still register by calling 368-8612.”

Mr. Lawther was not available for comment at the time of this posting…..perhaps he was skirting the issue!

What does this mean?

Here is a typical squash court sign with typical rules. We see these signs every time we step onto a court, but we don’t really read it. We’ve read it enough and we wear the right shoes and protective eyewear (right?).

The sign above is from the UPEI courts. I especially like “NO EXCEPTIONS. This is soooo not true. There are many exceptions. Many of the people I play with do not wear protective eyewear, and lots of people wear the wrong footwear. (take a look at the floor and check out the black scuff marks, click photo to enlarge).

Seems odd to have these signs when nobody abides by the rules they convey.

Women’s Squash

Where are all the girls?

Well, starting Monday, September 25th some of the girl squash players will be at UPEI playing squash. I am currently talking to UPEI about having a special rate for club players. So if you are a member at The Spa, for instance, and you want to be able to come out and play Monday nights at UPEI, it won’t cost you much. (BTW, The Spa is having their women’s squash programming on Thursdays at 6pm again this year. Call 566-1400 for more info)

Also, UPEI offers a squash membership ($160 for the year) so there’s always that route if you plan on playing more than just Monday nights.

We are looking for women new to squash…real beginners who have never picked up a racquet. So for all of you who are reading this message, please spread the word to all your girl friends.

Mondays @ UPEI
5:15 – 6:00 – novice clinic
6:00 – 6:45 – novice round robin
6:45- 8:15 – Women’s AB round robin

Thursdays @ The Spa
6:00 – clinic
6:40 – 8:00 – Women’s round robin
Email or call me if you need more info.

Cynthia
cynthiadunsford@gmail.com

Summerside Open: Top Three Reasons to Play

The following post is a re-broadcast of a recent email distributed to the SquashPEI membership by Derek Lawther.

Hi All,

By now you should all be aware that the first tourney of the 2006-07 season is the Summerside Open, Sept 21-23. Since this is the first event ever at the new facility in the Summerside Wellness Centre, we really want a good turn-out…….so……to help motivate you….I have come up with my TOP THREE REASONS why you should play.

REASON #3: You don’t want to be too rusty for the RustRemover tournament in October. REASON #2: You just wrapped your last remaining golf club around a tree anyway…..so why not a change of scenery.

THE NUMBER ONE REASON: If at least fifty people sign up for the event I, Derek W. Lawther, your faithful servant and president, will play my first match wearing a skirt!

Not sure if this will be an incentive or a deterrent, but that is the deal! Frankly, I am betting you guys will not make the quota, so I am feeling pretty safe at this point. As of right now (Monday, Sept 4, 4PM), there are seven registrants.

Derek Lawther
President, SquashPEI

Squash PEI Command Centre?

Is this the Squash PEI Command Centre?

 

Check out the red banner……recycled from one of dad’s MANY old squash T-shirts.

 

I’ll bet there are a hundred and one uses for old squash tournament T-shirts……tell us your ideas.

Flamers!

Got my Flamer socks on….and my karakals….I’m ready to play Jeremy!