Sweet SpotClub Newsletter

Club Practice do’s+Don’tsOne of the great benefits for members is access to practice sessions held five times a week. Here are 10 Club Practice Tips that the Club advocates our members to follow:

Rotate. Play only two games/15mins if others members are waiting.

Ask for court lights. Kindly ask Monash Sport staff to turn lights on for practice.

Meet and introduce yourself - get to know more players to practice with.

Verify players on a practice court are Club members - kindly evict them if they are not.

Do drills. Ghost. Court ghosting and squash drills help you to keep improving!

Group. If there many members waiting, start a group on court for 3/4’s or drills.

Learn. Sign up to a coaching program to improve your technique and game play.

Report any found racquets during practice for members who may have lost theirs.

Bring a guest, once. Guests can attend practice sessions but must become a member after their first visit.

Feedback. If you have suggestions, issues or questions, contact the Club Committee via email, facebook or in person.

supper common roomDue to a recent incident, the pie warmer is no longer available for use. Pennant teams should be aware that the ability to maintain food at temperature is very limited until further notice, and should plan suppers accordingly.

court+playing pennant etiquetteDo’s

Share the warm up time equally

Call your own lets and double bounces

Cede the point if you know the referee has made a wrong call to your benefit

Shake hands at the end of the match

Have fun

Don’ts

Be late

Take excessive time between games

Expect a let without asking, i.e. ‘let please’

Argue with the referee

Play dangerously

Remember, it is only a game, and winning isn’t everything. How you behave before, during and after play says much about you as a person, a player and a Club member.

Marcus SmithIt’s been an exciting few months for the Club, and we hope all our members, old and new, are enjoying being a part of the Club so far.

There are lots of activities going on around the Club, including the start-up of an in-house competition for students as well as coaching sessions and social events. Take advantage of them – meet new people, learn new skills and have fun at the same time.

To the members who are playing pennant for the first time, we hope that you’re enjoying the season so far. There have been a number of unsavoury incidents on court recently, involving both Monash players as well as players from other Clubs, and so it is perhaps timely to remind everyone of the importance of good sportsmanship and game etiquette both on and off court. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and representing you and the Club in a positive light is important.

It’s been fantastic seeing more faces around the Club. To ensure members continue to enjoy practice sessions, we’ve developed 10 Club Practice Tips for members to follow.

In the meantime, happy squashing!

President’s Word members Pennant notices

Squash Club

autumn 2014

monashsquash.org.au facebook.com/monashsquash

where are they now?

5-week coaching programsThe Club is running 5-week subsidised group coaching programs for members.We are seeking expressions of interest from all members as we aim to cater to all levels, availabilities and preferred days/times.

Coaching programs help members to improve quickly with the basics, footwork, technique, and shot selection. Players can also improve deception and touch, as well as the mental aspects of competing at squash.

Dates will vary depending on members

$35 for 5 sessions

monashsquash.org.au/coaching

coaching

24 hour squash fundraiserJosh, Menusha, Alex, Jacqui, Jonty, Derek, Ben, Harshil, Yasser, and Tom joined over 130 players to participate in the 24 Hour Mega Squash event for people with MS.

The team raised an amazing $3,010 and came third overall (fundraising+points)! With nine other teams, the event raised $32,430!

Yasser and Harshil kicked off and closed

Ben, Jonty, Jac, Menu, Tom played kids...

Josh, Alex and Tom played racquetball...

Spot prizes won by Jonty and Tom

Alex raised $835 by pledging +6hrs of play!

events

squash bootcamp for studentsIn April, Baey conducted the inaugural Squash Boot Camp for students. The program included a range of technique and movement drills, court fitness, strength training, PSA SquashTV, and GoPro video review of participants. Feedback was very positive and more will be run this year.

in-house competitionThe new ‘Student Showdown 2014’ in-house competition is open to all current student club members. Matches can take place during Monday, Thursday and/or Friday Club practice sessions.

Players will play matches (best out of three games) and will be ranked on a ladder system that will be updated every 1-2 weeks. Check the noticeboard for more rules. Awards (tbc) to be presented at the end of every semester.

gippsland Open @MAFFRANine members from the Club ventured to Maffra to compete in the Gippsland Open in March. Good squash, fanatic team support, a friendly rivarly with UniMelb and podium positions made for a great weekend.

Division 5, Winner: Mel Gray

Division 4, Winner: Josh Tonzing

Division 3, Runner-up: Tom Nguyen

Division 2, 3rd place: Himanshu Sarin

upcoming tournaments Ballarat and District Open: 21-22 June

Victorian Open at MSAC: 12-13 July

Mornington Peninsula Open: 10-11 Aug

Shepparton International: 23-24 Aug

Monash Squash Club Championships (graded and free for members): 25 Oct

Tournaments STUDENT activities News

News Bites

Congrats to Jacqui (Volunteer Award) and Himanshu (Vic Squash Grand Prix Circuit Div3 Champion) for receiving their 2013 awards at the recent SquashVic AGM

Alex and Harshil represented Monash at the inaugural and competitive Ballarat Plate - Uni Squash Tournament in April

Marcus, Henry, Josh, Baey, Harshil and Tom recently completed Club Development Coaching Day 1 - so more coaching programs and activities are planned

New 2014 Club shirts to be available soon

SquashVic is offering a free Foundation Coaching Course on Saturday 14 June in Ballarat - register via their website

2014 membership cards are available for collection at Club practice via Mel or Tom

280 facebook likes and counting...

Squash Club

past members Jen Catto: 2010-2012

Knee injury and arthroscopy in 2011. Doing lots of cycling as it gets better. Hoping for a social hit soon.

George Smith: 2011-2012 Moved back to UK and finished degree. Coached by former world #3 Simon Parke. Starting beginners coaching at local gym. International zoologist and budding tv star. georgesmithzoology

Jimmy Tan: 2008-2013 Achilles injury last year. Recovering slowly. Has not done any exercise, put on 5kg. Desperate to come back, could be June.

The Sweet Spot is a quarterly newsletter for the Monash University Squash Club. If you would like to contribute or have news/updates/stories for the newsletter,

get in touch with Tom Nguyen, Editor and Club Vice-President.