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Squash New Zealand Annual Report 2010
consistently meets its competition targets. The security of
SPARC high performance funding for four years has been
of major importance to our programme and we believe
that the results from the Commonwealth Games will help
us in the next round of negotiation.
We do however have some work to do to integrate our
regional high performance programmes with the national
programme so our objective will be to communicate more
clearly our high performance goals and develop closer
relationships with the districts to achieve those goals.
While high performance provides profile coaching provides
the foundation for that to occur. Squash New Zealand
has developed and is implementing, through the national
coaching director Dave Clarke, a national coaching strategy
and has started the delivery of that strategy through
regionally based Coach Force officers. With support
provided to coaches at all levels pathways are being
created from community coaches through to the high
performance coaching.
Squash New Zealand has identified the need for a national
refereeing strategy, that consistently recruits and develops
club, district, national and international referees. We are
fortunate to have a group of dedicated referees and Joss
Urbahn as convenor who give willingly of their time to
organise and officiate at our national events however their
numbers are not increasing. A comprehensive recruitment,
education and training programme is required to attract
more people to refereeing at all levels. Having pathways
for officials is just as important as creating pathways for
our players and there is a clearly identified need to
encourage more people to be involved at this level.
The national competition calendar is a major asset for our
sport. With over 200 events on the national calendar and
a comprehensive national competition programme SNZ
delivers a calendar that offers something for everyone.
A great deal of effort has gone into shaping the calendar
to meet the needs of the clubs and districts while
maintaining a broader perspective on an overall competition
strategy. With the inclusion of new events such as the
Millennium Hotels junior and senior player series and the
champion of champion’s series in 2011 we hope to increase
participation and enjoyment for all squash players.
The board of Squash New Zealand will continue to evaluate
the benefits of hosting international events to maintain a
consistent profile for squash in New Zealand and maintain
New Zealand’s place in the international squash community.
The World Masters in Christchurch in 2008 and The
World Women’s Team Championships in Palmerston North
this year are good examples of how squash events can be
promoted locally and internationally to improve the profile
of our sport. Hopefully, on the back of the success of our
players at the Commonwealth Games we can leverage
better sponsorship for these world class events.
One Strong Brand
Squash New Zealand recognises the needs for a clear,
easily identifiable and recognisable image that is appropriate
and relevant in today’s environment. There has been some
preliminary work around the website and new imagery
but more work is required before we can make a decision.
It remains a key part of the strategic vision to have one
common brand for our sport throughout the country that
will be adopted by districts and clubs. Ideally this can be
extended to common website portals where the SNZ
“brand” is the first thing that visitors encounter.
The establishment of the Squash New Zealand Hall of
Fame has been a resounding success and I would like to
thank the organising committee and the selection panel for
the work they have done recognising the achievements of
our outstanding squash people. The second induction will
be held this year in Palmerston North to coincide with
the World Women’s Team Championships and the annual
general meeting.
The event will also feature the launch of a new book written
by Joseph Romanos called “The History of New Zealand
Squash”. It is the fulfilment of a dream held by a number
of people who have been intimately involved with squash
over many years. Special thanks must go to Joseph who
has written the book with a passion and enthusiasm that
only a squash player could ever bring to such a project.
Thanks
In conclusion I would like to thank everyone who has
helped make a difference to squash in New Zealand.
Special thanks to our staff who do a great job day in and
day out, to Dame Susan Devoy, our patron ,the board,
trustees, programme directors, referees, selectors, coaches,
statisticians, district presidents and administrators.
I would also like to pay a special tribute to the people who
run our national events. I have attended a number of these
events throughout the year and I admire the generosity,
enthusiasm and passion that these people have shown.
Mostly they are volunteers and they give their time freely
to deliver outstanding events which make squash such an
enjoyable sport.
On behalf of the board, thank you and the best of luck
for 2011.
Jim O’Grady
Chief Executive, Squash New Zealand
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