Archive for 2012

Hi Stamford Members,

My Name is Daniel McGinn and I am the latest addition to the Stamford Squash Club Coaching Team. I would just like to quickly introduce myself and let you know what I am going to be doing down at the club and the services I can provide (which is looking similar to a dating service questionnaire?!).

About Me:

In the Game

• Level 2 UKCC Squash Coach (Studying Level 3)
• U19 Enlgand No. 10
• Current BSPA circuit player
• U19 County and Regional Champion
• CRB Approved

I have played at a national level competing in tournaments all over the country. I have been coached by a number of England’s top coaches and therefore know what it takes to get the best out of people. I am currently the Coach at Peterborough Town Sports Club whom have just won both Cambridgeshire League and Cup titles – I  am happy to work with ALL levels, ages and genders!

So what will I be doing?

I am already at the club on Saturdays for juniors which starts at 14:00 and the new Fitness circuit that makes its debut this Saturday at 15:00 straight after juniors. I am available for individual and group sessions on Mondays and Fridays at Stamford. So if you wish to improve your game whether it be you technique, movement, fitness or something else letting you down or you simply want to get better contact me to arrange a plan of action. Furthermore I plan on promoting the club in local schools in the Stamford area. I hope that this will bring new juniors into the club to keep its future bright and also attract new adults into the game.

I also sell Squash Equipment and can offer the full range of Tecnifibre rackets, bags and clothing of which I offer unbeatable prices. I also stock Asics Indoor court shoes so if you’re fed up of playing Russian Roulette with shoe sizes over the internet and want a quality pair of Squash Shoes get in touch. I can also offer full ranges with other brands on order such as Karakal (grips are kept in Stock) and Dunlop (balls are kept in stock). Price lists will be going up at the club shortly, alternatively contact me direct for more information. I will be sending out regular emails with coaching tips, the latest squash news and my current prices/new stock/deals.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to getting to know you all soon. For those of you who would like to get in touch my contact details are:

Mobile: 07920828277

Email: mcginn91@gmail.com

Best Wishes,

Daniel

The 2012 annual finals held at Stamford Squash Club saw the established senior players reap their due rewards, however this year saw the emergence of real talent from the Junior section. Bez Beresford played Simon Barker in the final of the Mens singles final, Simon who had fought his way through to the final beating some stiff opposition along the way, was in positive mood and relished the opportunity of playing the number one seed Bez. The first game was a flurry of activity and although seemingly close, Bez took it 9-0. Simon was in defiant mood and earned hard fought of points in the second game but again went down 9-5, at 2-0 going into the third it was always going to be difficult for Simon to come back against the existing Champion. So it proved to be Bez dominated the third game to take the Championship yet again 3-0.
Is there anybody who can take the title away from him, in the crowd was retired former 5 time champion Paul York , will he try to regain fitness and make a comeback to end Bez’s dominance.

The Vivian Cup Final a handicap competition provided an insight into the future of the Club, this handicap competition saw 16 year old Liam Barnard in his first club final against last years losing finalist and the experienced Mark Lavers. The question on spectators lips, would Mark Lavers experience and effective unorthodox game overcome the fitness and orthodox game of the Junior whom had overcome tricky opposition in the form of Andrew Hogan in the semi final. The first game was excitingly close with Lavers quickly overcoming the handicap ranking but Liam kept his cool, a hallmark of his game to take the first 15-14. Mark made a number of unforced errors in the second while Liam racked the points up to take the second 15-9, at 2-0 down Mark rallied, forcing Liam onto the back foot, it was his turn to make errors, Mark was getting into his stride rallying intelligently, Liam running and retrieving for all his worth could not cope with the Lavers power game, Mark taking the third 2-1, was this a repeat of last years final on the cards?, where Mark fought back from 2-0 down but narrowly missed the title. Liam recognised the danger in the fourth game moving Mark to all corners of the Court attempting to wear his senior opponent down, Mark resisted, Liam cut down on his errors to take the fourth game and title 15-9. 3-1 overall.

This years Ladies competition saw a strong set of entries including County junior Emma Barnard and fast improving Claire Rassell, however the final was between the hard working and determined Helen Gibbons against the favourite and previous winner Debbie Bowen. Debbie was determined to set her mark early on the game but Helen took the first three points rattling her opponent, Debbie was in no mood to relinquish her title and settled into her efficient game moving Helen to the back of the Court and then dropping to the front. This set the pattern for the rest of the match, Debbie taking the title 3-0.

The Joseph Cup an over 45′s tournament saw Simon Barker in his second final against Dave Spooner, could Simon make amends and take a winners medal, Dave on his day a match for Simons all action style, could not get his game gong and fleetingly showed glimpses of his ability, Simon winning 3-0.

The over 55′s saw a game between giants in more ways than one, Robert Miles versus Eamonn Treanor, these two tall opponents were perfectly matched, Roberts tactical nous against Eamonns fitness, this game served a real treat, both tenacious, determined not to give an inch. It was Robert who ground out a 3-1 win.

The over 60′s saw a game that truly belied the age group, Paul Green against the Septuagenarian Maurice Mosdell, with both opponents moving around the Court like 20 year olds this high octane final produced a lot of skill, with Paul rejuvenated by the Coaching of Dan Mcginn coming out the 3-1 winner.

The Copperstore trophy played on the day for members whom are not competing in finals, had a strong number of entries with members, Lawrence Ball, Simon Morris, Michael Nation, Jason Van, Claire Rassell, Alan Fitt to name but a few determined not to end the season without a trophy, Mark Smith proved victorious after a grueling two and a half hour Competition, promising junior Edward Nation took runner up in his first senior competition, thrilling all with his athleticism.

The Junior section run by Michael Nation also held its finals on the same day, this again providing a glimpse of the future, Edward Nation taking the title, Ward Scholten runner up and Hannah Yogasundaram being awarded the Junior player of the Year. Luke Scholten took the plaudits with a fine display against winner Edward Nation.

Trophies were presented by Club Secretary Iain Mcewen. Stamford Squash Club would like to thank the excellent service and support given by The Green Man Stamford throughout the 2011-2012 season.

Tania has stopped playing competitively on the World Squash Circuit, and this is what she has to say, courtesy of www.taniabailey.net,

I just wanted to let you know that I am not going to be playing the World squash circuit anymore, my motivation is as strong as ever but my body will not allow me to train and compete at the level I want to anymore. The last few years have been extremely tough and I have given it everything I could to try and get back to being one of the best players in the World, but I know what it takes to get to the top of the rankings and deep down I know I just cannot do it anymore. Having had 3 surgeries on my knee and 1 on my hip and suffering recurring problems, I think it is time to move on. I don’t think this will come as a great shock to many people but I want to let all the people know who have helped me so much over the years.

I want to say thank you to my Mum and Dad, I am so grateful for all the encouragement and support they have given me and for always being there for me, I couldn’t have done any of it without them and also a big thank you to Neil, to my brother Mark and sister in law Joanne for their amazing support too and for being there through the good and the bad.

Thank you to all the people that have contributed to my squash career and helped me along the way, thanks to England squash who have supported me since I first went professional and all the coaches I have worked with over the years, especially to Paul Carter for his never ending belief in me, and thanks to the numerous physiotherapists and support staff who I have worked with. There are too many people to mention individually.

I would like to thank Westside gym for allowing me to use their brilliant facilities and to Stamford Squash Club for their support since I was 9 years old.

I have got so many amazing memories and had a lot of unforgettable experiences. And I have made so many friends along the way. I have had a great time and I would recommend being a full time squash player to anyone!!

It has been an absolute privilege to able to play full time squash, I will miss the tournaments, the travelling, my friends, playing for England and I will even miss the training! But I believe I have a lot to look forward to now.

I have already been coaching over the last year or so, I have been coaching at Hunts County squash club and I have worked on a few regional junior squads, I hope to continue this and also start to coach at clubs in and around Stamford, I am excited about having new challenges and looking forward to whatever comes along.