Why we love squash

Monday, December 22, 2008

PRESTEIGNE SQUASH CLUB

History

In the past there have been squash teams playing out of East Radnorshire Leisure Centre (ERLC) but the current set up began in 2005.

Internal squash leagues were organised at ERLC and a Presteigne team was entered to play in the Herefordshire League in season 2005-06.

Since 2008-09 team season, two Presteigne teams have competed in the Herefordshire League.

In 2009, Presteigne Squash Club was formally announced with a club constitution and organised Committee. We are an affiliated club to Squash Wales.

Honours

2005-06 Tony Cox was voted Herefordshire Squash Racquet Association Player of the Year

2007-08 Presteigne won the Herefordshire League

Represented Herefordshire in the National Squash Cup

2008-09 Presteigne 1 were runners up in the Herefordshire Cup

Internal Leagues

Some 50 players have taken part in league squash in Presteigne. Players have come and gone and currently we have 25-30 regulars.

Each calendar month, each player plays four matches and at the end of each month, players are promoted/relegated.

League squash brings a variety of benefits to players:-

  • Playing people of the same or similar standard
  • Playing a greater variety of people than normal
  • Making new friends
  • Allowing the game to be taken a little more seriously with league points at stake
  • Encouraging players to play more games and improve their level of fitness and ability

Team squash

Presteigne currently fields two teams in the Herefordshire League, Presteigne 1 and Presteigne 2. Each team has a squad of six players from which four are chosen for each match. The teams we play / have played in the competition are:-

  • Whitecross 3 (Whitecross 1 and 2 have disbanded)
  • Des Pommes Malades (DPM – originally a team from Bulmers in Hereford)
  • Hereford Juniors (U-18s)
  • Hereford Ladies (Ladies, but plus one or two men!)
  • Dox (Hereford medics)
  • Hereford Leisure Centre
  • Internationals (SAS players from Credenhill)
  • Certainly Wood (drawn from players at Whitecross Club)
  • Herefordshire Emergency Services (paramedics, police)
  • Wiggins (originally a team from Wiggins in Hereford)

During the season each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away.

Each year all teams are entered into the Herefordshire Cup

Squash coaching

Tony Cox is a qualified UK Level 2 Squash Coach which allows coaching of all juniors and adults playing at club level. Coaching is available to all on request at £15/hour for adults and free for juniors.

Funding

September 2010 will see the introduction of an annual adult membership fee of £5. Only fully paid up members will be able to participate in Presteigne Leagues and organised cup and handicap competitions.

Team funding has been via main sponsors when we have attracted them and by fundraising activities.

2005-06 Kington Building Supplies / Powys County Council

2006-07 Cox Marketing

2007-08 Ferring Pharmaceuticals

2008-09 no sponsor

2009-10 Wye Valley Brewery