News

We are pleased to announce that Phil Rea has been appointed as our new Head of Referees. He will take responsibility for referees in the county and will play a key role in driving up standards.

A long-standing member of Redland Green Club in north Bristol, Phil is a popular figure in the local squash community and has recently qualified as a World Squash Officiating (WSO) level 2 referee.  He has also been selected as an England Squash Mission 2022 Candidate, which will see him positioned at the forefront of refereeing, fast tracked to become one of the top referees in the world and hopefully become part of the team that referees at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022.

As a keen player himself, Phil has seen things from both sides of the balcony and aims to ensure that the rules are implemented fairly and consistently throughout the league.“I’m very pleased to have been appointed as Head of Referees for Avon Squash, and look forward to working with clubs and players across the county to help drive the sport forward and showcase the importance of refereeing,” he commented.

This is about equipping players with the skills and knowledge they need to make the right calls in different situations, explain their decisions to players, and so manage games effectively.  

There are always going to be disagreements about refereeing decisions, but if we can apply the rules consistently then we all know where we stand and we can focus on what really matters – playing squash.

For more information about refereeing or to get involved in refereeing in Avon squash contact Phil via – referees@avonsquash.co.uk

For more information on squash in Bristol, clubs in the local area and how you can get involved, check – www.avonsquash.co.uk

The second round of the 2019 Avon County Corporate Squash Grand Prix will take place on 8 June between 10-5 at Workout Harbourside squash club, on Welsh Back in the centre of Bristol.

It’s a great opportunity for professionals to come together, smash some little rubber balls as hard as you can, get sweaty, then have a few drinks. What better way to break down barriers and build business relationships? 

Nor do you need a lot of experience to take part, or even to know your double-yellow from a blue-dot. All levels are welcome, from beginner to expert, with individual and team prizes during the event. 

The first Grand Prix of 2019 in February was a great success, with £xxx raised for Comic Relief and a lot of new squash and business friendships forged, and we’re hoping for an even bigger turnout this time.

Get in touch with us via the contact details below. We look forward to seeing you there!

To enter, e-mail – squash-for-business@avonsquash.co.uk with the subject – ‘Corporate Squash Grand Prix 2019 – YOUR NAME’

Please also include your name, employer, T-shirt size and the level that you expect to play at.

Entry Fees:

New players entering Round 2 – £20 including entry, T-shirt and lunch.

Players from Round 1 – £15 including entry and lunch.

For further information, visit – www.avonsquash.co.uk/squash-for-business

A group of Bristol squash players took the opportunity to tap into some professional expertise last weekend, all in the cause of deepening their knowledge of the sport.

World Squash Referee Roy Gingell was in the city to run a workshop designed to help local players understand the finer points of the rules and keep the local league running smoothly.

Squash is a fast-paced game, and disputes can arise between players competing to control the court. It’s players themselves who referee in the local league, so it’s in everyone’s interests that the rules are applied fairly.

While he’s used to dealing with the professional players on the intensely competitive professional tour, Gingell was happy to pass on his knowledge and expertise to the enthusiastic Bristol squash community.

“It’s great to see excellent numbers attending especially women and juniors. Attending this course will empower all to have more confidence to referee in the future,” he commented.

The players themselves got a lot out of the workshop. “Getting first-hand teaching from such a senior, experienced referee as Roy Gingell was a real privilege,” enthused local player Fin Kettlewell.

“I think everyone at the workshop came out feeling more confident about sitting in the marker’s chair!”

The benefits of this will now feed into the vibrant Bristol and District squash league, with more highly qualified referees helping to raise standards even further.

Players will push themselves even harder when they see that the referee really knows their onions. Squash is known as an intense, yet also fun and friendly activity, and the aim is to keep it that way.

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The appointments to the Avon Squash committee are coming thick and fast. We are delighted to announce that Jack Alcock of Workout Harbourside has taken up the role of Secretary of Avon Squash and will assume his responsibilities shortly.

This is an important position that is essential for the proper functioning of the committee, and it has been vacant for some time now. The quorum for committee meetings shall be two members, and must include at least one of the Secretary, Treasurer and League Secretary. In the absence of a Secretary there have been a few meetings since I became Chairman where we were not able to make any decisions because we were not quorate, so this appointment is very timely.

When asked for a comment on his appointment Jack said; ‘I’m really excited to support the great work that the current committee have been delivering to date. Hopefully I can strengthen the team’s impact on making squash in our region enjoyable and organised, as well as increasing the profile of Avon County Squash.”

We are delighted that Jack has agreed to take on this position and wish him all the best in the role. We are still recruiting for a number of other key roles and are in the process of sifting through applications, so watch this space for further announcements.

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John Welton of the Lansdown Club won the Avon County Closed 2018-19 in Sunday’s final, held at the Redland Green Club in Bristol. In a tightly contested final against Richard King, Welton came through in five tough games to win 3-2 (11-7, 5-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-3).

On the women’s side, Natasha Burrett took the title with a 3-1 win against Alice Clark (11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10). Overall, more than 50 players competed in the tournament, which was sponsored by SquashLevels, Mushram and RestringMe.

Professional player Todd Harrity (US no.1 and current world no.44) was on hand to award the prizes to the winners. Currenly training in Bristol, Harrity is part of the growing squash community in the city, which is also home to several other professional players.

This depth augurs well for the future of the sport. With high-level competition through the Premier Squash League, thriving junior programmes at several clubs and respected coaches, Bristol’s squash community is set to go from strength to strength.

On Saturday 24th of February the Avon County men’s team travelled to Liverpool cricket club to compete in the 2nd stage of the inter county season.  The team were playing for survival in Division 1 (division below National Premier) having fielded a weakened team in the first round last year.  Pitched against strong opposition from Merseyside, Durham & Cleveland and Hampshire Avon stalwarts Sam Ellis, Peter Joyce and Dave Allman joined regulars Richard King and John Welton with newcomer Jack Allcock completing the team.

The trip got off to a slightly panicky start when designated driver Jack Allcock’s newly purchased car died with a flat battery.  A quick team bump start got them going and after a 3-hour journey they rocked up for the first match against Merseyside.

The tie was very close, and the Avon could have been 2-0 down but for two 3-2 wins by Jack and Pete.  With that start the team wrapped up a brilliant 5-0 victory.  A solid start!

Result of Match v Merseyside

Sam Ellis 3-1

Jack Allcock 3-2

Rich King 3-1

Peter Joyce 3-2

John Welton 3-0

In the afternoon the team faced Hampshire, who are traditionally a brilliant county but are now struggling with missing players.  A retirement in their morning meant they could only field 4 players. However, with their captain Robbie Downer, ranked in the top 150 in the world, at No. 1 and England wonder kid Jared Carter at No. 2 things would be tough.

Sam had a niggle and was rested. Rich took a game from Downer at one and Jack narrowly lost 3-2 to Jared in a great contest.  Avon were 2-1 down thanks to the walk over with Allman and Welton to play. Both players put confident and experienced displays in winning 3-1 and 3-0. The win confirmed Avon’s Division one status for next year.

Result of Match v Hampshire

Rich King 1-3

Jack Allcock 2-3

John Welton 3-0

On Saturday 24th of February the Avon County men’s team travelled to Liverpool cricket club to compete in the 2nd stage of the inter county season. The team were playing for survival in Division 1 (division below National Premier) having fielded a weakened team in the first round last year. Pitched against strong opposition from Merseyside, Durham & Cleveland and Hampshire Avon stalwarts Sam Ellis, Peter Joyce and Dave Allman joined regulars Richard King and John Welton with newcomer Jack Allcock completing the team.

The trip got off to a slightly panicky start when designated driver Jack Allcock’s newly purchased car died with a flat battery. A quick team bump start got them going and after a 3-hour journey they rocked up for the first match against Merseyside.

The tie was very close, and the Avon could have been 2-0 down but for two 3-2 wins by Jack and Pete. With that start the team wrapped up a brilliant 5-0 victory. A solid start!

Result of Match v Merseyside

Sam Ellis 3-1

Jack Allcock 3-2

Rich King 3-1

Peter Joyce 3-2

John Welton 3-0

In the afternoon the team faced Hampshire, who are traditionally a brilliant county but are now struggling with missing players. A retirement in their morning meant they could only field 4 players. However, with their captain Robbie Downer, ranked in the top 150 in the world, at No. 1 and England wonder kid Jared Carter at No. 2 things would be tough.

Sam had a niggle and was rested. Rich took a game from Downer at one and Jack narrowly lost 3-2 to Jared in a great contest. Avon were 2-1 down thanks to the walk over with Allman and Welton to play. Both players put confident and experienced displays in winning 3-1 and 3-0. The win confirmed Avon’s Division one status for next year.

Result of Match v Hampshire

Rich King 1-3

Jack Allcock 2-3

John Welton 3-0

Dave Allman 3-1

W/O

With safety secured and a tie in the morning against the strongest remaining county Durham & Cleveland in the morning the team did celebrate and enjoy a little bit of the Liverpudlian hospitality!

However, eyes were on a completing a hat trick of wins on the weekend. Durham & Cleveland were a very solid team from 1-5. Plenty of water and fruit consumed was the perfect preparation for the team. As predicted it was tight and games were level at 2 each with Sam Ellis to play the deciding rubber. After being rested the day before he was moved and hit the ball very well and was looking good for the win when 2-1 up. Sadly, his opponent pulled a muscle in his back in the 4th game and had to retire injured. As a result, Avon took the tie and finished undefeated over the weekend.

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Result of Match v Durham & Cleveland

Sam Ellis 3-1

Rich King 2-3

Pete Joyce 3-0

John Welton 1-3

Dave Allman 3-1

John Welton says, “As captain I was incredibly pleased and proud of the guys. Everyone played brilliantly well and with a great spirit, attitude and togetherness! For a tiny county we definitely punch above our weight in Division one competing with some much larger counties with far more players to pick from. However, the team spirit and willingness to win and support each other is certainly a big factor and something I think is key for our County’s success. We hope to be able to field a strong team again next season and push for a chance in the play offs to gain entry into the Premier Division”.

Dave Allman 3-1

W/O

With safety secured and a tie in the morning against the strongest remaining county Durham & Cleveland in the morning the team did celebrate and enjoy a little bit of the Liverpudlian hospitality!

However, eyes were on a completing a hat trick of wins on the weekend. Durham & Cleveland were a very solid team from 1-5.  Plenty of water and fruit consumed was the perfect preparation for the team. As predicted it was tight and games were level at 2 each with Sam Ellis to play the deciding rubber.  After being rested the day before he was moved and hit the ball very well and was looking good for the win when 2-1 up.  Sadly, his opponent pulled a muscle in his back in the 4th game and had to retire injured. As a result, Avon took the tie and finished undefeated over the weekend.

Result of Match v Durham & Cleveland

Sam Ellis 3-1

Rich King 2-3

Pete Joyce 3-0

John Welton 1-3

Dave Allman 3-1

John Welton says, “As captain I was incredibly pleased and proud of the guys. Everyone played brilliantly well and with a great spirit, attitude and togetherness! For a tiny county we definitely punch above our weight in Division one competing with some much larger counties with far more players to pick from. However, the team spirit and willingness to win and support each other is certainly a big factor and something I think is key for our County’s success. We hope to be able to field a strong team again next season and push for a chance in the play offs to gain entry into the Premier Division”.

The first event for the Avon Junior Box League took place at Redland Green Squash Club on the 11th February 2018. There were 22 juniors involved on the day involving 4 different clubs across the county. It was wonderful to have such activity on a Sunday morning at the club with a gallery full of spectators and everyone just enjoying playing and socialising together. The children took shared responsibility for marking their own box games and recording all the results to pass on to the organiser. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and well done to all those competing.

Congratulations to the box winners:

Box 1 – Mackenzie Dutton

Box 2 – Josh Bailey

Box 3 – Alex Quinlivan

Box 4 – Alex Boulton

Box 5 – Ollie Butterell

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Results can be seen on the website

Junior Coaching was non-existent at Chew Valley Squash Club but this all changed recently thanks to the support of Avon Squash.

Resurrecting junior coaching was one of the key objectives for the new Committee at CVSC. It had been many years since there was any junior coaching but getting it up and running again wasn’t something that the Club could do on its own and so it turned to Avon Squash for help. New Chair, Brian Pate, contacted Avon Squash who organised for Rich King (their junior coaching representative) to help us out.