The Timaru Squash Club is making room in the trophy cabinet for its first men’s national championship.
The club, which opened its doors in 1934, had not picked up silverware on a national level since the women’s D grade win in 1978, but that all changed at this year’s C grade New Zealand Superchamps held in Timaru last week.
The victory was made all the sweeter with the 2023 competition contested on home ground. The Superchamps competition was held over three days at the Timaru Squash Club in Brunswick St, and featured 150 players in teams of five, with a reserve player.
The competition comprised 10 of the best C grade teams from all over New Zealand. Each team needed to qualify for the competition via a district elimination tournament.
This meant it was only the cream of the crop present.
The Timaru men’s team came out of the district eliminator as the No 1 seed, with high hopes of winning the competition. Team manager Nevin Foster said more than 100 people turned up to watch the final.
‘‘It was an amazing atmosphere. ‘‘I’ve been in seven national tournaments myself and the closest we’d ever come was fourth.’’
Teams played five matches against each other, with each member playing a match. The overall winner was the first team to three wins. Timaru and Mana Wellington played the final, and were tied 2-2 going into the final match.
Simon Willamson (Timaru) and James Gould (Mana) took things down to the wire, with the match going to a fifth set. Williamson held his nerve, taking the fifth 15-9 to give Timaru the tournament win.
Foster could not believe it.
‘‘It was incredible. I was actually quite overcome with emotion at the time.’’
He said having the tournament on a home court had both advantages and disadvantages.
‘‘It was great to be able to take a break, pick the kids up and whatever else, but it can work both ways. Being away you can focus 100% on what you need to do on the court.’’
Foster said the support for the team was incredible.
‘‘It was pretty magic. We had all our friends and family there
— we can’t thank them more.’’
Timaru had not held a Superchamps event since 2011, and club president Linda Kenny said it was a big team effort to put it on.
‘‘We had a subcommittee of seven members who looked after the transport, hospitality bar and kitchen.
‘‘We also provided lunch for the 150 people every day, with a dinner on the Saturday night.’’
She said it was great exposure for Timaru to hold the competition.
‘‘It enlightens our members about what these events are like.
‘‘Everyone got to come down and watch some really good squash.’’
Timaru also had a women’s team compete, and they finished the tournament in 10th place.
Ms Kenny said the competition surpassed all expectations.
‘‘Everything went according to plan.
‘‘It was a cliffhanger right to the last point.
‘‘We are extremely overwhelmed with the win and it really just topped off a great event.’’
The club will now turn its attention to increasing its membership and is planning to upgrade the bar and kitchen facilities.
