Southland Squash Open gets big thumbs up
A few years ago, the Southland Open was just another event on the calendar but Squash Southland believed it needed to be bigger. And that's just what has happened.
Squash Southland district manager Bruce Thirkell is thrilled with the success of this year’s 2023 Southland Open and is already eyeing up some further plans for 2024.
The event attracted 120 players across the various divisions and was played at Squash City and ILT Stadium Southland on Friday and Saturday.
Thirkell says with the backing of fi innovations, as well as other local businesses, they have been able to boost the flagship tournament in recent years.
It included this year attracting professional brothers Lwamba Chileshe and Temwa Chileshe to play in the Southland Open.
The pair are ranked No 2 and No 4 in New Zealand respectively.
As expected, they progressed to the final and it was Lwamba who beat Temwa in the three entertaining sets: 11/9, 11/7/ 13/11.
It was also a battle of the two top seeds in the Women’s Open final with Emma Cormack from Canterbury overcoming Lily Rae from Midlands in five sets: 11/5, 2/11, 11/5, 10/12, 11/9
Thirkell, who was the tournament director, said an entertaining Q&A session was held with the Chileshe brothers - who were part of the NZ Commonwealth Games Squash team in 2022 - as part of the prize giving.
It was followed by an auction run by Andy Yule, to raise funds for their next overseas adventure.
Items for sale were two signed Commonwealth Games tops and training sessions with the brothers on Sunday afternoon. A surprisingly vigorous bidding war raised over $2700.
Squash Southland organised and funded training sessions with the brothers on Sunday morning for selected junior and masters players.
“The auction winners were both nervous and excited about their training sessions on Sunday afternoon, but all made the most of a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Thirkell said.
Thirkell said a few years ago the Southland Open was just another event on the calendar but Squash Southland believed it needed to be bigger.
Through that backing from fi innovations it has been able to boost the prize money on offer.
They capped the playing numbers at 120 this year and filled those spots withing in a week when entries were opened up in February.
“We could have had a bucket load more, but we capped it at 120. We could go a bit bigger next year but that depends on a few things working out.”
Thirkell said the brothers indicated on Sunday they were keen to return for the 2024 tournament if it worked with their schedule.
2023 RESULTS
Men’s Open: [1] Lwamba Chileshe beat [2] Temwa Chileshe, also from Waikato 11/9, 11/7, 13/11 [both players are from Waikato but are now based in England].
Women’s Open: [1] Emma Cormack from Canterbury beat [2] Lily Rae from Midlands 11/5, 2/11, 11/5, 10/12, 11/9.