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SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES 2007 (Update)
27 August - 7 September
The two weeks acclimatisation in Fiji was helpful to cope with the warmth and humidity of Samoa. The Fiji team arrived in Samoa at dawn and we could feel the heat engulfing us at the airport. Daily expected temperatures at the time of the year were 35-45C. 
Athletes were housed in a sports villages which were converted schools and colleges and Team Fiji stayed at one of the best, Leifefi College where athletes from all countries and sports dined. Food preparation was overseen by specialist sports dieticians from Australia and ‘walls’ of banana bunches for athletes surrounded the dining hall.
Squash started with mens and ladies team events, four players per team from Papua New Guinea (PNG), New Caledonia, Samoa, Norfolk Island, Cook Islands, Norfolk Islands and Fiji whose men won the Silver medal.
In the first round of the singles I beat the Norfolk Island No1 Sarlu Lecren 9/2, 9/2, 5/9, 9/7 but lost in the second round to Christine Deneutbourg the New Caledonia No2 6/9, 8/10, 1/9.
In the Plate competition I beat Caroline Quach (New Caledonia) in four sets and then had a very long battle in the semi-final on a humid court in 39C of mid-day heat against Sylvaine Durand (New Caledonia) winning 7/9, 9/6, 10/8, 5/9, 9/5.
The Plate Final, also played at mid-day, seemed to last forever against Kristine Seko of PNG and after being 1/8 in the fifth set I came back to win the match and the Plate Final. Fiji also won the gold in the singles.
 The final squash event was the mixed doubles played on doubles courts which feel much bigger. Fiji won the gold medal for mixed doubles and silver for the ladies doubles.
Organised by Oceania Squash Federation, there followed the prize giving dinner and ceremony for the players and medallists. For my victory in the Plate I received the Phillip Cridge Trophy as Player of the Tournament, an award for the ‘most determined & most improved player throughout the tournament’. After a couple of glasses of wine I did manage to make a speech, although apparently a British accent, so I was told.
The whole tournament was a never to be forgotten experience. I had a brilliant time and thank you all for your good wishes and encouragement.
Sharmila Devi :
Website links :-
www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=2-3569-0-0-0&sID=44291
www.squashsite.co.uk/southpacific07.htm
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SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES 2007
I am pleased to be in the final selection of squash players in Fiji National squash team to represent the Fiji Islands in the South Pacific Games (SPG) 2007. I attended the selection trials in March in Fiji and was put through some strenuous fitness tests and play-offs against other female applicants some of whom are based in New Zealand. The tests conducted by Australian coach Dean Landy, lasted 10 exhausting days including some physicals tests which did not seem necessary for squash e.g. long jump! The hardest of all was the ‘beep test’. I was informed of the final selection last week.
The SPG has been held since 1963, are held every four years and event attracts over 4000 participants from 22 Pacific Island nations across 32 sporting events.
Participating countries are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Islands, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
The last SPG was held in Fiji in 2003 and this year is in Samoa from the 25 August to 8 September. Any moral support during the event will be most welcome. Thanks.
Shamila Devi
Event Website :- http://www.samoa2007.ws
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The England Womens Squash Team put in a royal performance sweeping aside and beating all put before them in an enthralling nights squash at Bishop's Stortford Squash Club on Thursday 21st December 2006.
On a foggy and cold December night the World Champions travelled from as far as Manchester to take on the National Club Champions in what was billed as the most interesting battle of the sexes since Billie Jean King took on and beat Booby Riggs at tennis in 1973.
Firstly the England team dressed in their international outfits undertook a masterclass for 12 lucky junior girls who play at the club, this was enjoyed by all, the highlights for the girls were being able to get autographs from their idols and in particular for Hannah Mulvey (aged 9) winning a rally each against World Number 5 Tania Bailey and World Number 8 Vicky Botright!!
After a short break Jenny Duncalf (World Number 9) took on 3 Ladies from the Bishop's Stortford 1st team, the Stortford girls were able to win a point per rally whilst Jenny had to win a serve before scoring a point, on this basis Leventhorpe School teacher Emma Abegglen played heroically to narrowly lose her game 10-8, Sharmila Devi did better than she expected by winning a total of 11 points (losing 9-5 9-6) and after a nervous start Keeley Peacock acquitted herself well before losing 9-1 9-7.
On the adjoining court World Number 11 Alison Waters took on Kath Kemp and current Club Champion Vicky King, Kath was made to work extremely hard and could hardly breathe after the 1st game losing 9-5 9-4 and Vicky played majestically and competed all the way before missing out on a game but lost 9-3 9-6.
Finally, 2005 Club Champion Keith Timms took on World Number 5 Tania Bailey in a best of 3 game match and 1st teamer Fred Cooke played World Number 8 Vicky Botright. Fred was left standing in the first game as Vicky dominated the pace of the game and won it 9-2 with precision drop shots, she raced into a 6-0 lead in the second, but Fred encouraged by the crowd staged a minor comeback, Fred ran and scrapped for every point but Vicky's class shone through taking the game and the match 9-5.
The evening was completed with Tania Bailey out of the blocks quickest to take the first game 9-1, in the second game Keith extended the rallies and after some brutal exchanges it was Tania who refused to make an error as Keith was unable to kill the ball. In little over 20 minutes the deed was done as Tania won the second game 9-3 and the match to complete a clean sweep.
Afterwards the Bar was full of gleaming faces particularly on the girls and the women!, National coach Paul Carter was proud of his teams ruthless performances, Vicky remarked on how 'homely' the club was and Jenny was impressed at how many good young girls we had at the club.
As the girls headed home at a reasonable hour to go to Manchester! and elsewhere, the court lights were still glowing bright until well after midnight filled with juniors who had all been inspired by their heros!
Thank you England team - 2006 World Champions for a memorable night at Bishop's Stortford Squash Club
Jason Foster
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LADIES INTRODUCTION
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This season two ladies teams will be representing the club, one in Herts Division 1 and one in Essex Division 1. The Herts team will play both home and away matches on Monday nights. The Essex team plays home matches on a Friday night and away matches on various nights, depending on the opponents.
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SUCCESS
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The ladies teams enjoyed considerable success last season, winning Essex Division 1 both in the winter and summer league. A team was also entered in the National Club Championships O35 competition. After beating the holders New Eltham, we lost in the semi-finals to the eventual winners Cannons Richmond.
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NEVER PLAYED SQUASH BUT YOU WOULD LIKE TO?
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Although one of the most successful clubs in Hertfordshire and the UK, we have players at all levels from beginners to internationals and actively encourage new players looking to try the sport for the first time >>>
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