2009 World Masters Games Sydney 10 - 18 October	Individuals 25-29 Sept Teams 1-4 Oct

SYDNEY, April 22 AAP - Hungry for any edge over the All Blacks, Robbie Deans has sounded out Australia's two-time world squash champion David Palmer for a conditioning role with the Wallabies.
Deans, a squash fanatic who plays A grade in Sydney, believes the freakishly fit Palmer could help alleviate the Wallabies' second-half fadeouts.
With the annual trans-Tasman series locked at 1-1 last year, the Wallabies established useful leads over the All Blacks in the third and fourth Bledisloe Cup Tests only to be over-run in the closing quarter of an hour in both games.
Palmer is revered on the world squash tour for his remarkable stamina, a quality Deans is hoping to instil in the Wallabies in his second season in charge.
The idea of calling on his expertise arose when former world No.1 Palmer gave Deans the runaround on court at the Sydney Football Stadium complex.
For training, Palmer has been known to complete the beep test - a torturous multi-phase fitness drill often used by footballers - five times back-to-back with just a three-minute break in between each.
"It's bloody hard, one of the hardest things I've ever done physically and mentally," Palmer said.
"But that's what squash is all about; it's about being pushed to your max and how fast you can recover and how many times you can go to that breaking point and keep coming back."
Deans said some Palmer punishment was just what his Wallabies needed.
"Teach them about perseverance; how do you keep going when your legs are gone. That's what our blokes need to learn," Deans told AAP.
"Staying composed when fatigue strikes. It's a big advantage. The strength is minimising that recovery time.
"No doubt squash is actually one of the better forms of conditioning for rugby because of the footwork and the qualities David alluded to; perseverance, spacial awareness, mental resilience - intimidation is a big part of it.
"There's nothing better. It's actually great for defensive technique as well."
Palmer, who has done some work with NRL heavyweights the Melbourne Storm, said he would love to assist the Wallabies when there was a break in his schedule.
"Definitely," he said.
"I follow the Wallabies, the sports are similar: they're non-stop, there's no breaks, it's up and down.
"There's so many different aspects to squash. Its endurance, its speed, there's flexibility, there's tactics, there's the mental side - the tactical intimidation.
"It's like playing chess at a million miles an hour. It's not like other sports where you get time to think about your shot. It's so fast it's such a reflex instinct type of game.  "Using the squash type of training in rugby would be beneficial."

1.4.09
Coaching Courses
If your Centre/Club would like to hold a Level 1 Coaching Course please contact NSW Squash at admin@nswsquash.com.au
NSW Squash Level 1 Coaching Courses for 2009 will be held on May 2/3 and October 31/1 at Thornleigh Squash Centre, also in 2009 NSW Squash will host the Squash Australia Level 2 Coaching Course on May 13 - 17 for any Level 1 coach.
Click here for Level 1 Course, Click here for Level 2 Course

Referee Courses
The Club Level Squash Referee Courses are aimed at those who wish to become a squash referee at club and or competition level and contribute to the growth of officials within the industry.
Courses for 2009 will held on May 16/17 and Sept 12/13 at Thornleigh Squash Centre. See Refereeing for Course application form.

Channel Nine partners with Sydney 2009 World Masters Games
The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Organising Committee today announced Channel Nine as the Official Television Partner of the world’s largest multi-sport event, which will take place throughout the harbour city later this year.
The partnership will see Games television spots featuring one of Channel Nine’s most popular on-screen personalities, sports presenter Ken Sutcliffe, start appearing on the network shortly and several Channel Nine stars competing in the event.
Channel Nine Chief Executive Officer David Gyngell said that the network, which is Australia’s free-to-air Olympics broadcaster for Vancouver in 2010 and London in 2012, was proud to be a partner of the seventh edition of the major international multi-sport event at which everyday people can have extraordinary experiences.
“The World Masters Games are unique in that they provide everyone, regardless of their sporting prowess, with an opportunity to take part in a sports event on the big stage. Channel Nine is delighted to be associated with this year’s Games in Sydney.”
Shane O’Leary, Chief Executive Officer of the Games Organising Committee, said that Channel Nine’s support of the Games, particularly the participation of several of the network’s famous faces, will help raise the event’s profile to a whole new level.
“We warmly welcome Channel Nine to the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games family and look forward to seeing some of the network’s stars competing against fellow sports enthusiasts from all around the globe over nine exciting days in October.
“It doesn’t matter how good or how old you are. Everyone’s invited to take part in this great festival of sport. The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games are all about being fit, fun and forever young. Don’t miss out on your opportunity of a lifetime.”
Running 10-18 October, the Games, which are open to everyone rather than just elite athletes, are expected to see 25,000 people from more than 100 countries compete in 28 sports across 72 Sydney venues, including many Olympic sites.

30.3.09
David Palmer Named Squash Australia’s Athlete of the Year
David Palmer has crowned yet another spectacular year on the men’s professional squash tour by being named the Squash Australia Senior Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive time.
Palmer achieved two long-held goals in 2008, winning his fourth British Open crown in May then capturing his first ever Australian Open title in July,
In December he also celebrated 100 consecutive months in the world’s top 10 – he first broke into the top 10 in September 2000 and has remained there ever since.
Palmer joined the ranks of squash’s greats when he won his fourth British Open crown with an epic five-game victory over England’s James Willstrop in Liverpool in May.
The 32-year-old from Lithgow in New South Wales now has more British Open titles than any other player in the modern era, including players of the calibre of Peter Nicol, Amr Shabana and Jonathan Power.
The only men with more British Open titles are the true legends of the game – Jahangir and Jansher Khan and Australia’s own Geoff Hunt.
It is a remarkable success story, considering Palmer moved away from his long-term base in Belgium and away from daily contact with long-time coach Shaun Moxham at the start of 2008 to set up fresh in Boston.
“It’s been a bit of a transition that’s for sure – I was on the court with Shaun every day for 10 years and not to have him there every day was different,” Palmer said.
He was written off as a top contender early in 2008 when he suffered some early round losses, but he proved the doubters wrong with his wins in the British and Australian Opens.
He then made two more finals in North America before reaching the semi-finals of the World Open in Manchester, where he fell to current world number one Karim Darwish.
He finished the year strongly by reaching the semi-finals of the rich Saudi International in December and started 2009 in great style with a win at the Bluenose Classic in Canada.

Two Players from the Golden Era of Australian Women’s Squash have been inducted into the Australian squash Hall of Fame.
Sue Newman (King) OAM and Barbara Wall won British Open titles in 1978 and 1979 respectively, following on from the great Heather McKay and immediately before fellow Hall of Famer Vicki Cardwell.
Both women began their careers in the shadow of McKay but emerged to become champions in their own right.
Newman, born in Sydney in 1950, has enjoyed one of the most distinguished careers in Australian squash history – as a player, a coach and as an administrator.
She won her first major titles in 1968 when she was crowned both NSW and Australian junior champion and then went on to become Australian Amateur Champion in 1975 and 1976, the first woman to win both the national junior and senior amateur titles.
She toured Britain and Ireland in the early 1970s, winning a swag of national titles along the way and reached the final of the British Open in 1976, where she came up against McKay.
When McKay retired she seized her chance and claimed the 1978 British Open with a win over Cardwell 9-4, 9-7, 9-2.
Newman captained Australia at the first Women’s World Teams Championships in 1979 and when she retired from playing she branched out into coaching and administration, a role she continues to this day.
Wall, born in Perth in 1948, created sporting history in 1973 when she became the first Australian female squash player to turn professional.
After she turned professional she was unable to play in Australian tournaments and she semi-retired from playing until 1977, when she went to England.
She reached the final of the 1977 British Open final where, inevitably, she came up against McKay.
After losing that final she returned to Australia and trained under legendary Australian sprinter Shirley Strickland, before returning to Europe.
She won the 1978 Irish Open and then went on the claim the British Open in 1979, downing England’s Sue Cogswell 8-10, 6-9, 9-4, 9-4, 9-3 in the final.
She also played in the 1979 Australian team at the Women’s World Teams Championships.

28.3.09
Palmer downs Willstrop for title number 25
NSW Squash Ambassador David Palmer claimed the 25th title of his illustrious career by beating reigning champion James Willstrop in the final of the Canary Wharf Squash Classic in London on Friday.
Palmer’s power-play at the start of the match provided the foundation for his victory as he withstood a fierce fight back from Willstrop to clinch his first Canary Wharf title 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7 after 65 minutes of high-paced squash before a sell-out crowd.
Palmer is nearing the end of his career but is still in magnificent touch around the court.
The Canary Wharf title is his second of the year, following his win at the Bluenose Classic in Canada in January.
“I wish I was 22 instead of 32 as I watch these younger guys playing such great squash,” Palmer said.
“I have said many times this week that I am still enjoying my squash as much as ever and will continue to play for as long as I can.”
Willstrop, who is due to undergo an operation next week to remove a bone spur on his ankle, made no excuses after his first defeat in his fourth Canary Wharf final.
“Absolutely no excuses -- David has shown all week what a great player he is,” Willstrop said.
“We always have great matches and at 6-1 down in the third I somehow managed to stop him winning three-love.
“He won the match by playing excellent squash in a very sporting manner.
“David is still a great competitor and a great champion. It’s a great era for squash and with the sport bidding for a rightful place in the Olympics we would love to play matches like this in the Olympic Games.”

10.3.09
Royal Easter Show Promotion
NSW Squash is embarking on Royal Easter Show Promotion, but we need your help to make this a great marketing campaign for our sport. click here for more information.

2009 Pennant Handbooks
The new look 2009 Autumn/Spring Pennant & Information Handbook have been sent to all clubs/centres, if you have not received yours, please contact NSW Squash.

Competition By Laws
The Pennant By-Laws have been revised for the 2009 Pennant competition.
The By-Laws are available in the Pennant Book, also see Sydney Pennant link. Please note that the Pennant book will be issued once a year (Autumn Pennant). The Spring Pennant information will be issued in loose leaf format that can also be downloaded from the  website (Sydney Pennant link.)

Squash's Olympic Bid for 2016
The World Squash Federation (WSF) is engaged in a critical project - the inclusion of Squash in the summer Olympics from 2016 on behalf of all involved in the sport.
Squash is one of seven sports vying for two places, the other sports are; Baseball, Golf, Karate, Roller Sport, Rugby 7's and Softball. The decision will be taken by the IOC in October in Copenhagen. The WSF needs assistance to generate the necessary financial resources to properly deliver the bid. At the WSF's 2008 Annual General Meeting and related workshops, the members were requested to provide additional financial resources to support the initiative. The WSF President Mr Ramachandran reinforced this in acknowledging Squash Australia's remittance of 2009 Membership Fees.
The WSF has now focussed on using the World Squash Day concept and has announced a changed date to Saturday May 23rd and name - Squash 2016 Day. Please click on the Squash 2016  logo and show nyour support for "Squash and the Olympics a perfect match"

18.2.08
Squash Puts Forward Olympics Case
Squash moved a step closer to its goal of becoming one of the sports included in the Summer Olympic Games this week as the World Squash Federation (WSF) submitted its response to the 80–question Olympic Programme Review questionnaire.
Squash, played in 175 countries by over 20 million people, has made a strong case for itself by virtue of the fact that it can be easily integrated into the Olympic Games, wherever held.
Requiring just two all-glass courts that can be located anywhere, it is an extremely cost effective and highly exciting spectator sport. Few can doubt the skill and fitness required to play at the top level.
Squash can also state with certainty that an Olympic medal would be the highest honour in the sport, bar none.  This is further endorsed by the fact that all of the sport’s top players have signed a pledge to compete at the Olympic Games if selected.
The questionnaire responses highlight how Squash can help take the Olympic Games into new markets -- many of the sport’s top players hail from countries which do not traditionally produce Olympic medallists. The World Champions come from countries which managed just two Olympic medals between them in Beijing (Egypt and Malaysia).
Surprisingly Squash has never been an Olympic sport, though it narrowly missed out in the run-up to the London 2012 Games. 
Squash will be competing against six sports for one of two possible places for new sports in the Olympic Programme for the 2016 Games. Scott Garrett, Squash 2016 Bid Team Manager, said: “We are delighted with the case for squash which we have put forward in our questionnaire responses and we are confident that we are able to present strong arguments in all areas.”
Added Mr N Ramachandran, President of the World Squash Federation:  “Our questionnaire response is a document of which we can all be very proud.”
The IOC Executive Board will meet to review all of the seven sports’ submissions in June and will put their recommendations to the remainder of the IOC who will vote in October on which sports to include.

11.2.09
Palmer Wins Again
Australian number one David Palmer won his 23rd professional squash title when he beat Englishman Peter Barker in straight games to take out the Bluenose Classic in the Canadian city of Halifax on Sunday.
Palmer, who first tasted success when he won the Ecuador Open in 1999, celebrated his first title of the year with an 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 demolition of Barker. It was the third time that Palmer and Barker had met in a North American final in the past six months, but the first time the Australian had emerged victorious.
“I was really up for it today,” the 32-year-old Palmer said. Palmer dominated his opponent, controlling the front of the court and not allowing Barker time to settle into his game. “I knew that if I could get a good start, the second game would be the key (to the match),” Palmer said. “After winning the first game I was really trying to pump myself up and come out and not step back, and keep the pressure on.
“When it got to four-all in the third I was really trying to finish it off – I didn’t want it to go to four or five games because he’s such a fit guy.” The Boston-based Palmer has won at least one main tour title every year since 1999 and has been in the top 10 of the sport since September 2000.
He now has a two week break until the North American Open in Virginia, which starts on February 21.

10.2.09
Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities with NSW Squash
The 2009 Pennant Handbook is entering production, advertising space is available, if you company would like to support squash and get your message out to our community.
Sponsorship packages are also available for a number of NSW Squash events; from the NSW Junior Age Titles, NSW Open and the Royal Easter Show Campaign, NSW Squash can develope a package to suit your comapnies needs.
For information on  either advertising or sponsorship opportunities please contact the NSW Squash office for more details.

7.2.09
NSW Squash Awards 2008
Nominations are being excepted for the 2008 NSW Squash Awards. The Awards program was introduced to acknowleadge and congraulate people of the NSW Squash community who proactively serve, promote and or develope the sport at the local, regional, state, national and international level. Any member centre/club or registered player of NSW Squash can nominate another member centre/club or registered player. The Awards will be presented at the Sydney Open at Thornleigh on Sunday 22 March. Nominations close on Monday 2 March. Click here for nomination form

NSW Squash Travelling Squads
Squads will be sent to participate at the ACT Junior Open March 14-15, National Junior Series Rockhampton April 9-19 and the Malayasian Junior Events May 26 - June 9. For those that wish to be part of the NSW Travelling Squads, forms must be received at the NSW Squash by Friday 13 February. Click here for application form

Congratulations to Former NSW Squash President Greg Middleton
And his partner Donna Shore, who are now proud parents of baby Ethan Harrison born on Boxing Day. Little Ethan was born at 35 weeks and weighed in at 2560gms, both Mum and baby are doing well.

16.12.08
2009 Autumn Pennant Commences March 9
Information and Entry Forms for the 2009 Autumn Pennant will be sent out next week and in the new year. Entries for Major Grades and Mens Teams close on Friday 23 January, Women's Teams close Monday 2 February

NSW Squash CEO Recovering from Surgery
NSW Squash CEO Carin Clonda is recovering after undergoing the first of 3 surgeries last Wednesday. Clonda put off the surgery so she could compete in the Pennant Grand Finals, where her team Thornleigh took out the Women's Premier grade. Clonda is due to go under the knife again in 2009 for a hip replacement and the removal of a tumour in her leg.

Congratulationals to All Finalists in the 2008 Spring Pennant
The Major Grades Finalists were:
Men's
Premier     Maash 1 bt Maash 2
Sydney 1   Northmead 1 bt Elanora 1
Sydney 2   Northmead 3 bt Premier 1
Women's
Premier    Thornleigh 1 bt Willoughby 1
Sydney 1   President 1 bt Maash 3
Click here for all grades and districts

Palmer Celebrates 100 months in Top 10
David Palmer celebrated an incredible 100 consecutive months in the world top 10 when the men’s Professional Squash Association released its December rankings. Palmer, the 32-year-old from Lithgow in New South Wales, first reached the world top 10 in September 2000 and has stayed there ever since.He reached the pinnacle in September 2001 and stayed at No.1 for four months. Palmer is considered one of the greatest players of the modern era.
Nicknamed “The Marine” for his incredible fitness and never say die attitude on court, Palmer has twice won the World Open and enjoyed success at the British Open four times, including earlier this year.In August this year he added the Australian Open to his impressive trophy cabinet.
Palmer is the leading Australian at No.6, ahead of Cameron Pilley, up two places to 18 and Stewart Boswell, who dropped two positions to 19. Further down the list, Sydney’s Scott Arnold celebrated a return from injury by jumping 11 places to 61.

Pilley stuns 16th seed
Cameron Pilley’s roller coaster season continued on Sunday when he upset 16th seed Olli Tuominen of Finland in the first round of squash’s richest tournament, the Saudi International at Al Khobar. Pilley, the 26-year-old from Yamba in New South Wales, was in great touch as he beat the Fin in straight games 12-10, 11-6, 11-9 to join fellow Australian David Palmer in the second round. The tall right-hander has had an up and down time of it over the last few months – he made his way through to the quarter-finals of the prestigious Hong Kong Open last month, but lost in the first round at Macau the following week.
He will have to be at his best to get past his next opponent, second seeded Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, who beat a determined Stewart Boswell 11-4, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9 in just over an hour. Palmer, who this week celebrated 100 consecutive months in the world’s top 10, faced wildcard Naif Abureqah and while the young Saudi tried hard the result was never in doubt as Palmer won 11-2, 11-5, 11-6. He now faces a tough second round clash with Egyptian ninth seed Wael El Hindi, an 11-5, 11-5, 13-11 winner over Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez.

Karwalski Grabs Second Title
New South Welshman Matthew Karwalski claimed his second career title when he beat Egypt’s Andrew Wagih in the final of the NSC Super Satellite squash tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.Karwalski, playing in just his second ever final, made it a 100 per cent success rate with a tough five-game win over Wagih.The second seed from Raymond Terrace, just north of Newcastle, came back from losing the first game to beat the Egyptian 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7 and add to the title he won at the Merredin International in Western Australia in 2007. Fellow Australian Donna Urquhart was not so fortunate in the women’s event, going down to Malaysia’s Delia Arnold. The second seeded Arnold upset the top seed from Yamba in New South Wales in straight games 11-9, 14-12, 11-3.