Squash at The Avenue

Our three excellent squash courts, one of them being glass backed with a viewing area, provide the indoor alternative to tennis. The club enters mens, ladies, junior and veterans teams in the Hampshire leagues. Internal club leagues provide friendly but competitive play and various tournaments are held including the Annual Closed Championships and the 20 minute, handicap and doubles competitions.

Professional coaching is available for all age groups and continues to enhance our already high standard. Phone Richard Hopp on 07904 069457.

Social play is always available.

CONGRATULATIONS

Both Avenue Men’s 1 & Avenue Veteran’s Squash Sides have won their respective Divisions for 2008/9 and will be promoted to the Premier Divisions of the Hampshire Squash Rackets Association Men’s & Veteran’s Leagues next year.

Men’s 2 finished third in their League and so did the Ladies who were only one point behind the team in 2nd place.

Men’s 3 are also currently third but other teams below them & who have not finished all their matches could push them lower down in their league.

Unfortunately Men’s 4 finished second from bottom & could be relegated.

Overall it has been a very encouraging season for Avenue Squash.

LADIES INTER COUNTY SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009/2010

The Avenue had two ladies from the Club representing the County in the first round of the Ladies Over 40’s Inter County Championships held on Sunday 18 October 2009.  The team travelled to St Albans for the match which was held at a fantastic facility at Nuffield Health Centre, which boasts an enviable  9 courts.

Binky Hallett saved the day by stepping in at 5th string to replace a last minute injury suffered by Lee on Solent player Carol House.  Binky played superbly to clinch a vital first win for the team in a close five setter.  Alison Trott from Lee on Solent followed suit to win comfortably 3-0 at number four.  Third string Debbie Sands from Nuffield Health, Portsmouth took the first game, but succumbed to the Middlesex player’s strength losing 3-1.  Debbie’s sister Bev Brockway, also from Nuffield Health, had a tough match against the Middlesex number 1.  Bev battled to stay in the match with long rallies but unfortunately was unable to make her mark, leaving the team at 2 matches a piece.

Fran Blake who has this year taken over captaincy of the side was advised there was ‘no pressure’ from her team as she went on court to challenge the second string from Middlesex.  Fortunately, Fran was able to secure a victory taking the win 3-0.

The team will be playing the second round on 17 January 2010 in Bishops Stortford where they will meet Essex and Hertfordshire.   

Summer Squash League 2009

The Avenue duly won their semi-final match against Southampton University by 3 games to 2 in a close fought match. Nuffield Health also got into the final, beating LA Fitness by the same score to set up a repeat of the last two years finals.
Our team had suffered a couple of injuries during the summer and so were not at their strongest and, unfortunately, lost the final by 4 games to 1. However all five matches were close fought affairs so the players we were not too disappointed - there is always another year...

PLAYER AVAILABILITY LIST (PAL)
There is a list of players who are available to play Squash at different times of the day on the Squash Noticeboard. Please edit your entry when necessary, e.g. if you need to change your days or delete your name. This can be done on the list or by e-mailing the changes to the office. If have any ideas on how it can be improved, please contact the office.

Thinking of joining? Contact the Squash Club Captain Paul Cornborough on 02392 691461 for a friendly match.

All Squash Club players are automatically provided membership to England Squash and Racketball.

For 2009 closed tournament results - click here ===> Championships

Squash Leagues:

The club will enter the same teams into Hampshire Squash Association's Leagues for 2009/10 as for the past winter season.

Hampshire SRA League - see fixtures page for 2009 - 2010 matches.
If you want to be kept up to date with Hampshire Squash then please contact David Law (Davidlaw3uk@aol.com) requesting to be added to the distribution list.

The Avenue Club Leagues:

An internal league system runs all year round. Last winter there were 13 divisions each consisting of 6 players. Each league lasts for 6 weeks, at the end of which players' scores are tallied and movement within leagues occurs. See the squash noticeboard inside the club for more details.

Squash Coaching

The Club professional offers a wide choice of group and individual coaching sessions for all age groups and standards, from the very youngest to squad training for the advanced. Special programmes are available. Contact Richard Hopp on 07904 069457 or click here for more information ==> Squash coaching

Squash eye protection

England squash recommends the use of protective eyewear.

Details can be found at the England Squash site or by clicking on this link ===> http://www.sportfocus.com/reguser/dynabizinfo/download.cfm?number=13283