May 2009

Happy World Squash Day!
May 23>

The S.C.R.U. CRU would like to wish squashies around the world a happy World Squash Day! I plan on hitting the court for a quick match (only playing Bevan - just kidding Beav:) before heading back into the sun. Next year we're planning on doing it up REAL BIG in Vancouver so stay tuned and send us your ideas! Official World Squash Day site. Olympic initiative site.

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Whistler Draw done
May 13> Click here

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Whistler Draw a comin'
May 12 >

The entries are all in and the draw is being realized as we speak. You'll be emailed today with your start times or just check back here in the evening. Sunday dinner is confirmed for 21 Steps. Nice. Why not buy some contacts or glasses while you wait? Or a new racquet?

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Cayman Webcam
May 9 >

Kinda cool: Check out the web-cam on the main court in the Grand Caymans.

10:50am and the Grinham sisters are doing drills:)

Tonight from 5pm - 7pm PST > Round 1 Men & Quarter Finals Women:
Nicol David (MAS) (1) vs. Samantha Teran (MEX) (8)

Tournament site.

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Whistler a go-go!
May 5 >

The Whistler Classic is a go for the Victoria weekend but the spots are filling up fast. Only 65 people can register and the deadline is this Friday so hurry up cuz you don't want to miss this four day extravaganza. Sign up at Squash BC.

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Your National Champions!
May 2 >

Yeeha! I just got off the phone with Klondike Kate and unless you're following Squash Canada on Twatter (and who isn't?) then you don't know that your new national champions are none other than Runa Reta (a close personal friend and the Republic's favorite Dub DJ) and Shahier Razik. Congrats to you both and to Calgary for confirming that squash is still alive and kicking in Canada. (330 entries! Wazzat?)

Photo: Kyle Clapham
(We borrowed this pic:) Thanks dood.

BC Women
Big love to Alicia Haniene who won the women's 40+.
Tessa Breukels, 45+, beat out Lorrie Baildham in another ALL BC FINAL.
Carolyn Russell placed 4th in the women's Open.

BC Men
Tyler Olsen won the ALL BC FINAL of the A's against Adam Radziminski (our favourite Open sandbagger;).
Winston Cabell won the 35+.
Simon Dorey placed 2nd in the 45+.
Tim Bale came 2nd in the 60+.
Gerry Poulton won the 65+.

L-R: Alicia Haniene, Tessa Breukels and Lorrie Baildham

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April 2009

Summer League at Sport Central
Apr 16 >

Sport Central Presents: Spring Squash League.

The league will consist of 3 players per team (co-ed teams are okay if you're all of similar levels and combining players from different clubs is okay too):

Entry is $60 per team and registration is open until Saturday at 5pm.
Email Barry Gifford: barrygifford@shaw.ca

More info here.

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BC Doubles Finals > match times
Apr 16 >

The 2009 BC Doubles Squash Championship FINALS take place tonight, Thu April 16, at Hollyburn and Evergreen.

No charge entry. Seating for 100+

Mens 40+ Final 4:30pm at HOL
.....Eric Barclay/Ingus Silgailis v Marvin Mizinski/Brian MacFarlane

Mens B Final 5:15pm at HOL
.....Kevin and Robert Johnson v Ed Berwick/Lynn Broman

Mixed Open Final 6:00pm at HOL
.....Nicola Martin / Jason Giuffre v Cathy Covernton/Tim Martin

Mens 50+ Final 6:45pm at EVE
.....Jamie Bleay/Les Kerluke v Tim Hunt/Brian Covernton

Mens Open Final 6:45pm at HOL
.....Andrew Lynn/Jeff Boag v Tim Martin/Justin Todd

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Also, on the doubles kick:
The Greenwing Energy Vancouver Pro Doubles Championships
April 17-19 @ The Hollyburn Country Club

Quarters on Friday 5:30 to 9pm
Semis on Saturday 5:00 and 6:30pm start times
Finals on Sunday
.....Pro-Am consolation Final @ 9am
.....Pro-Am Final @ 10am
.....Pro Final @ 11am

Daily spectator passes available at the door.
Wine cabinet fundraiser tickets still available.

Pro and Pro-Am draws available here.

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March 2009

The PCO: Pushing the envelope with PAR & EDP
Mar 24 >

The last local, senior squash tournament of the season has decided to try something different. Steve Lawton and the crew at VRC are not only offering a tournament with PAR 15 scoring but they're promising Equitable Division Placement (EDP). EDP does not recognize the alphabetical categories that we're all used to (A through D) but instead uses the Squash BC rankings to place the top 16 in the top tier and so on down the line. Say it with me: "FINALLY!"

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Draw times online
Mar 9> "Let's squash Leukemia" DRAW

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February 2009

Congrats Team BC !
Feb 28> By Alicia Haneine

• The 2009 National Women Team Championships in Saskatoon, Sask. was a very intensive, challenging and super satisfactory tournament. Saskatoon is a really nice town, very picturesque, but, super cold (-25)! Fortunately not as bad as expected as just two days before we arrived it was -44!

The organizers did an excellent job to make us feel welcomed as they gave us lots of attention and the event was very well planned. Our BC team was seeded #5 as all of us were not ranked nationally: Rebecca Fouchard played #1 Alicia Haneine#2,  Emilie Mackie #3. This fact gave us the chills as there were many new players and some of the already very good known ones. We started playing with seeded #2 Alberta and beat them 3-2 in very exhaustive close matches. (Rebecca: 3-0, Alicia 3-2, Emilie 1-3); Next was against seeded#1 Quebec which came loaded with all tough players (Rebecca 1-3, Alicia 0-3, Emilie 2-3). Next matches were also difficult, especially against Manitoba which was very exhausting (Rebecca 0-3, Alicia 3-2, Emilie 3-0); vs Saskatchewan (Rebecca 3-0, Alicia 0-3, Emilie 3-2); vs Nova Scotia (Rebecca 3-0, Alicia 3-0, Emilie 3-0)We ended winning the Silver medal which was, personally a surprise as last year I played number 3 and, this year was dreading playing as number 2. We manage to pulled it off combining our wins at the right time as we won most of our team matches 2-1 overall, meaning that every single game was crucial.Finally we want to thank squash BC for supporting us to go to this terrific event!

(Photos above: L-R) Emilie Mackie, Alicia Haneine, Rebecca Fouchard


Team BC, in red, with event winners Team Quebec.

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Tournament deadlines!
Feb 19 >
• The BC Open (AAAA) @ Arbutus: Deadline is this Saturday, February 21st at 6pm. Adult $75 Junior $59. LINK
• "Let's squash Leukemia" (AAA) @ The River Club: Deadline is March 6th. Adult $75 Junior $65. LINK

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I give you love. Big squash love.

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Jonathon Power is coming to Vancouver



Feb 5 > The River Club and its members are very pleased to announce the 2nd Annual “Let’s Squash Leukemia” Tournament to be held at The River Club March 11 - 15, 2009. This action packed tournament will raise funds for the Michael Cuccione Foundation, a charity which has devoted its efforts to eradicating childhood cancer and leukemia. Last year’s tournament raised over $34,000.

Former World #1 ranked Jonathon Power will once again be exhibiting his skills as he takes on current World #1 ranked doubles player Viktor Berg in an exhibition match. Tickets can be purchased for $75.00 at the River Club. Limited seating is available so get your tickets soon.This will be an AAA ranking tournament making it well worth picking up your racquet. As well, there will be some amazing prizes not found at any other tournament. ENTRY DEADLINE is March 6th.All members of Squash BC and our North American squash friends are invited to participate in this fabulous event. The competition, camaraderie and a cause worth fighting for all add up to a weekend to remember. If you cannot participate but wish to make a donation to the Michael Cuccione Foundation, please email John Fleury, Chair of the “Let’s Squash Leukemia” Tournament at jcfleury@apolloemrik.com or phone The River Club at (604) 272-4400.Check out the official website here.

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January 2009Sea to Sky photos
Jan 28 > Seriously good time this past weekend. Squash, sledding and some good disco dancing to boot. Plus, we invented the ultimate squash shooter: "The Dirty Court". Suitably sweet. Thanks again Squamish. See you next year. You too Spider! No mercy in the 3rd next year:)
Photos here.

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Sea to Sky first match times
Jan 21 > I really thought that a final of Pacey vs "Spider Jones" would make for better drama but it's not to be. Turns out we'll be crossing swords on Friday night at 10:15pm. Hopefully Gilley won't have passed out already:)

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Sea to Sky Deadline!
Jan 15 > Sorry about the late notice but the deadline for the Squamish Sea to Sky tourney is tomorrow. I'm sure if you let them know before Monday they'll let you play:) Tell them it's our fault!

Call the club (604) 898.9521 and Go Play Inside.

Evergreen Draw Online

Jan 12 > The complete draws for this weekend's event are now online. Click here y'all. PSA viewing is free on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! Yay! It's only $20 per day after that. The fabulous S.C.R.U. Squash and Squash Republic t-shirt booth will open on Thursday night and be open until Sunday. Special event prices and gifts with every purchase. New designs too! Nice.

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Happy New Year!
Hope you all had a great holiday!

Yes, we're still at it:) Still loving the game and trying to get better and trying to learn how to disguise our drop shot. (If last year was about "squaring up" then this year is all about "the hold", right Mel;) We're still designing and printing the best squash shirts around. (We've got two new designs that will be posted here and in the t-shirt shop very soon.) 2009 will also see us continue to be Manta's #1 online distributor in Canada - Go get yourself a new racquet! Three of the new designs (Cobra, Nitro and X-Factor) will be posted for sale online within the month with the DBL TRBL and Matrix to follow in March.What else is new? Have you checked out our new sister site, Squash Republic? The Squash Republic site and the BLOG are keeping us busy for sure as are the three upcoming tournaments that we're sponsoring:
.......1) The Comfort Inn Open at Evergreen
.......2) The Sea to Sky in Squamish
.......3) The BC Juniors at Jericho Want to see what we've been up to for the last couple of years? Check out our archives:
.......> 2006 Archive Click here
.......> 2007 Archive Click here
.......> 2008 Archive Click here

Image: AKA Photography