SQUASH NEW ZEALAND Annual Report - Devoy Squash & Fitness ...

Squash New Zealand Annual Report 2011
NZ INDIVIDUALS
There were many hotly contested matches leading up to
and including the finals, and the quality of squash was at
the highest level, with Australians taking three of the titles
and New Zealanders the remainder. The winners are listed
elsewhere in the results section.
INTER DISTRICT TEAMS EVENT
Once again only five teams were entered, a disappointing
number given that Central are previous regulars, and being
a South Island event one would expect Southern, Otago or
Midlands to finally conjure up a team or combine to ensure
participation in this annual squash-fest, and to promote
themselves for potential future hosting rights.
The round robin event was a tight affair and upset results
meant that on the final day Auckland and Canterbury had
the power to become king makers, as the result of their tie
created the champion team.
I have never in the history of Masters Squash seen so many
Bay of Plenty and Wellington players cheering for their
adopted teams.
It was quite fitting that Wellington emerged the victors as
they had beaten the Bay in the round robin and this was their
first title since the inception of the event in 1985.
The winner of the traditional and charismatic skits event
was Canterbury with an enlightening and humorous tale
of a typical day in earthquake ravaged
Canterbury.
Every year from 1997 to 2008 he won his age group, and with
wins in a couple of other years he has won 14 NZ Masters
Titles and several Australian Titles.
He has represented New Zealand in the Masters Team eight
times, always with distinction, always with a determination
to do well, and more often than not, with a win at the end.
To cap it all off Richard won the World Masters Games 45+
Squash Title in Denmark, the World Masters 55+ Squash title
in Melbourne in 2001, and in the 2008 Worlds in Christchurch
he prevailed in the 65+ age group, losing only 1 set 10/8 on
the way to the final which he won 9/0 9/6 9/1
CONCLUSION:
2011 saw some young and not so young Masters players
participate for the first time at our National Event, and it is
evident that they are all hooked on continuing their foray
into an exciting new genre.
Next year is a World Cup year in Birmingham and many New
Zealanders plan to travel and enjoy a holiday combined with
their favourite sport.
R. WAYNE SEEBECK
Director of Masters
ROB ROCHE TROPHY
Below is an excerpt from the trophy award
presented to Richard Purser.
Richard began his international racquet sport
career in 1960, being selected in the N.Z. Junior
Davis Cup Squad.
However badminton was his forte, and he won
33 NZ Open titles from 1962-81.
9 singles, 10 doubles, and 14 mixed doubles.
He also won a number of overseas singles titles
including the Scottish, Irish and Australian Open,
and the 1978 Commonwealth bronze medal
doubles.
Richard has been a devoted and heavily involved
supporter of NZ Masters Squash for 30 years and
he has been a member of the Auckland team 15
times since 1991 with an enthusiastic, fun loving
style that helped to set national championships
alight, and his sense of humour and commitment
to the team skits is legendary.
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