Squash New Zealand Annual Report 2012

Squash New Zealand Annual Report 2012
9-12 Play Off
[11] New Zealand bt [13/18] Brazil 2/1
Jonathan Barnett lt Josemar Silva
7/11, 2/11, 6/11 (25m)
Zac Millar bt Pedro Veiga
8/11, 11/8, 11/2, 11/5 (43m)
Ben Grindrod bt Cassiano Silva
11/7, 11/3, 11/3 (23m)
Going into this match we felt confident that we would be too
strong for the Brazilians at number three, so needed to pick
up a win in one of the first two matches. This was another
high pressure situation, with the added challenge of being
played on the glass court in front of the TV cameras. Jonny
was outclassed at number one, which piled the pressure
onto Zac who was next on court against a quick, strong
player who had beaten Jonny in the individual event. Initially
Zac found it difficult to adapt to the conditions and found
himself 1-0 down. The second started in a similar way, but
Zac gradually found his rhythm and took more and more
control of the mid court which enabled him to clinch a critical
win for New Zealand. However, the match was still to be
decided at number three string and Ben took to the court
with a very controlled, structured performance to ensure
that his unorthodox opponent was not able to unsettle him
and cause an upset.
9-10 Play Off
[11]New Zealand beat [12] Kuwait 2/1
Jonathon Barnett lt Yousef Saleh
8/11, 9/11, 10/12 (39m)
Zac Millar bt Yousef Ali
9/11, 11/3, 8/11, 11/4, 11/3 (40m)
Todd Redman bt Athbi Hamad
11/7, 11/5, 12/10 (26m)
The final day of the event saw many players struggling mentally
and physically to back up two weeks of emotionally charged
squash. However, our team remained professional, positive
and focussed on finishing in style. Todd got the team off to
the perfect start with a win in straight sets, which was far
from easy. Jonny was next on against a highly talented and
experienced player. Although Jonny played very well and had
his chances in each game, he went down in three - setting
up another crucial match for Zac. Although this was not one
of Zac’s highest quality performances, he dug deep to turn
around a 2-1 deficit to win games four and five with ease
and ensure a ninth place finish for New Zealand.
Undoubtedly, our goal and intention was to come away from
the event with a higher finish. Based on the excellent previous
(2010) finishing position of sixth, we felt that we wanted to
match this and with an exceptional performance, finish in the
top four. In reality this was a near impossible task. The quality
and strength in depth of the top five teams at the event was
stronger than the previous event. There were many players
competing in Qatar who had also been in Ecuador, who were
by now two years fitter, stronger and more experienced
squash players and also well-established on the senior PSA
tour. Two key factors in New Zealand finishing outside of
the top eight was firstly, our original seeding, and secondly,
an unfavourable draw against Hong Kong, who finished fifth
and almost caused an upset by beating third placed India.
Had we drawn USA (who finished eighth) I believe we had
the strength and quality to finish sixth.
The players who represented New Zealand at this event did
themselves, their parents, coaches and clubs proud. Personally,
it was a privilege and honour to be involved in preparing the
squad and being a member of the New Zealand team during
the event. An emotional and unforgettable journey for all
involved. Well done boys.
Paul Hornsby
High Performance Coach
Jonny Barnett (right), NZ’s top
ranked junior at the World Teams
Championships.
34