A
welcome from Jackie Riches
Grampian
Regional Development Officer
Tel: 01330-820493 - Mob: 07958004120
E-mail: hugh@richesh.freeserve.co.uk
I am the main point of contact for any enquiries regarding the Development of Squash within Grampian. Please do not hesitate to get in touch should you require assistance in developing your club.
Our Juniors - 2004/2005 – An Incredible Year
The year began with the introduction of Regional Squads, after a 5 - year absence. The Squads were run by Gerry Towler of Stonehaven, Alistair Gorrie of Peter Nicol Centre (now ASRC Head Coach) & George Tierney of ASRC. This brought together the expertise from some of the Regions top clubs and coaches and provided valuable support to what was already happening at each club within the Region. The coaches provided the support, but the success was down to the players and how well did they do?
Home International success for Scotland was achieved with Grampians Robyn Hodgson winning all of her matches playing for the Scotland U15 team, which won the event. Robyn was also part of the Scottish team that came 6 th in the European Championships and was the girls U15 German Open champion in May, having secured 5 th place in the Scottish Open in December. Robyn currently is ranked 2 nd in Europe . (August 2006)
International caps were secured by Hannah Anthony, Rosie Allan & Lauren Hodgson and at the tender age of 15 Lisa Aitken was selected for the U19 squad to play in the World Championships in Belgium . Lisa performed incredibly well on the world stage taking a few scalps in the process, as Scotland attained a credible 16 th position.
The Scottish Open was a fantastic success for Grampian with Lisa Aitken finishing 2 nd in the U15's, Rosie Allan 3 rd U11's, Hannah Anthony 3 rd U13's. Graham Melvin was 4 th & Robert Adam 6 th in the U19's, whilst young Simon Jeffreys was 6 th in the Under 11 event. These were incredible results considering they were achieved when competing against opponents from all over the world.
European Ranking successes saw no fewer than 13 Grampian players make the European top 100 for their respective age groups last season, in the ESF Rankings (August 2005 rankings list).
Making the Top 25 in Europe were :
U17's - Lisa Aitken 10 th -- Lyall Paterson 16 th - U15's - Robyn Hodgson 2 nd - Hannah Anthony 6 th & Nigel Anthony 22 nd & U13's - Lauren Hodgson 19 th.
The National Championships once again produced a string of Grampian successes. The girls led the way with Lauren & Rosie taking the U13 & U11 titles respectively. In the U13's Rosie was 3 rd , Mhairi Charlton 4 th & Lindsay Ackers 5 th . Robyn was runner up & Hannah 3 rd in the U15's, whilst Annie Lambe was runner up in the U17's, with Sonya Mackie and Annie making it a Grampian 4 & 5 in the U19's.
In the U11's Andrew Forbes & Simon Jeffreys were 4 th & 5 th respectively, whilst Tim Davidson made 6 th in the U13's. Sam Allan was also 6 th in the U15's, with Scott Mosley Runner up and Lyall Paterson 3 rd in the U17's. Once again the U19's put up spirited performances with Graham Melvin 3 rd , Robert Adam 4 th & Gavin Sutherland 5 th .
National Open events saw Lyall, Lisa, Robyn, Hannah, Lauren & Rosie win various Open Tournaments amongst them, throughout the season.
Grampian Junior “Player of the Year” deservedly went to Robert Adam who went virtually unbeaten all season playing at No3 & laterally No2, in the Peter Nicol Center team, which won the Division 1 title. Richard Towler who led the Stonehaven 3 rd team to the title was runner up with Gavin Sutherland 3 rd .
Inter Regional history was made as Grampian won an incredible 8 out of the 9 Junior titles at the Inter Regional Championships held at Heriot – Watt, the best result for any Region, in the history of the tournament. The depth of talent within Grampian is truly remarkable.
The World Junior Ladies Championships were held in Herentals Belgium , in June and Stonehavens head coach Gerry Towler was appointed Coach & Manager of the team. Lisa Aitken was the sole Grampian representative and at the age of just 15 played No2 in the team, winning matches in both the individual & team events. Sadly Lisa was to suffer a reoccurrence of the injury, which kept her out of most of last season and missed the last two matches of the tournament. The standard of play was incredible and very much an eye opener for the Scottish team, who finished 16 th in the tournament. Incredibly not one British player made the last 16 of the individual event and only two Europeans successfully made it this far, with Belgiums Charlie De Rycke being the last survivor, going out at the quarter - final stage.
Grampian Junior Leagues & Competitons
Stonehaven led the way in the U15 competition winning the League for the 3 rd successive year, with ASRC winning the U13 Title. In the Cup ASRC were successful in the U15 & U13 competitions with Stonehaven & Garioch the respective runners up in each competition.
Stonehavens Jarod Shuttleworth won the U15 Individual Knockout competition with Garioch's John Ramage winning the U13 Individual Knockout title.
Stonehavens Richard Towler & PNC's Martin Robertson set up a junior double in the Open Leagues 3 rd Division Individual Knockout final, which Richard won on the day.
Grampian Junior Coach Development
As part of an “Awards for All” grant Grampian had, Ian Brown, Alistair Gorrie, Danny Molyneux, Alan Slinger, Gavin Sutherland, Neil Strachan, Trish West & Laura Towler all Qualify as Club Coaches this season. The newly qualified club coaches will all be given support through a new venture, which will see the coaches actively involved within the Regional program and provided with the appropriate Mentoring & Tutor support. Congratulations to you all.
Grampian's Active Junior Clubs
Several of our clubs in Grampian have particularly active Junior sections. The contacts at each club are as follows:
Club |
Head Coach |
Telephone |
email |
ASRC |
Alistair Gorrie |
07841202432 |
ali_g63@hotmail.com |
Banchory |
Jackie Riches |
07958004120 |
hugh@richesh.freeserve.co.uk |
Ellon |
Trish West |
07774002031 |
Banjo.Tricia@Virgin.net |
Garioch |
Maureen Maitland |
01467642642 |
maureenmaitland@hotmail.com |
Montrose |
Alan Slinger |
07957856931 |
Sling51@hotmail.com |
PNC |
Pat Nicol |
01224742329 |
N/A |
Shell |
Paul Charlton |
07919628179 |
paul.charlton@champion-servo.com |
Stonehaven |
Gerry Towler |
07860177008 |
gerry@myfinancial.co.uk |
The conclusion of the 2004 / 2005 season however sees the end of Regional & District Squads, as we know them. In an endeavor to have uniformity working throughout the National system from club to National Elite level, the squads will now be operating centrally out of ASRC where players and coaches will be able to learn “National Best Practices” and in particular the coaches will be provided with support as they develop their coaching abilities. We therefore move into a new chapter, with the introduction of the………………………..
Grampian Squash Foundation
For the first time in Scotland , Regions will have a development programme which links into the National programme, providing a clear pathway from Club level, through to the elitist Academy Squads. The programme has numerous funding partners, who have all played their parts in the development of the sport within the Region. The elitist players are financed by sportscotland and the Grampian Institute of Sport, whilst local sponsors Veripos & “Mr Chips” provide the finance, which supports the Grampian Squash Foundation Squads & Junior tournaments. Aberdeenshire Council & Aberdeen City Council are supportive of what happens with the Grass roots development of Squash. Together we are certainly moving the sport, forward together, in a very positive manner.
Grampian Squash Foundation – Development Squad
Club players will be able to apply to be members of the Grampian Squash Foundation “Development Squad”. This squad will bring together the most promising youngsters from each club within the region and will allow them to train centrally, learning “National Best Practice” routines. The players will be supported by coaches, from each of our junior clubs, within the region. Most of the club coaches have just qualified and they in turn will be given valuable support from the Foundations Head Coach, who will be managing the coach education programme and providing the coaches with valuable mentoring support.
Grampian Squash Foundation – Area Talent Squad
Grampian players who attain a (top 10 Boys & top 7 Girls) National Ranking in their respective National Age Group Rankings, will be eligible to apply to be members of the Grampian Squash Foundation “Area Talent Squad”. This squad will bring together the best players within the Region and allow them to train centrally, learning “National Best Practice” routines. It is envisaged that most of the Grampian Squash Area Talent Squad players, will also be members of either the National Talent Squad or the Academy. The players therefore will also be training with the best players nationally, in conjunction with what is happening regionally. This will provide the players with the best possible level of support, with the majority of that support being delivered here within the Region. For those not qualifying for the National Squads, further Regional support will be on hand, to ensure that these players have an equal amount of coaching as those involved in the National programme.
National Talent Squad
Players from throughout Scotland who manage to make the (top 4) in their respective National Age Group Rankings, will be eligible to apply to be members of the National Talent Squad. This squad will bring together the best players within Scotland and allow them to train centrally, at various venues throughout Scotland , (including Grampian), learning “National Best Practice” routines.
The Academy
Players from throughout Scotland who manage to make the (top 2) in their respective National Age Group Rankings, will be eligible to apply to be members of the Academy. This squad will bring together the best players within Scotland and allow them to train centrally, at the National Squash Centre at Heriot – Watt University under the guidance of the National Performance Director – Paul Frank and his team of coaches which include: Academy Head coaches Louise Philip & Martin Woods & their assistant coaches Peter Vaughan & Grampians Gerry Towler.
The Academy continues to provide better and better value for money. Virtually all of the back up support is now accessed within the Region. Grampian Institute of Sport provides - Strength & Conditioning, Physiotherapy, Nutrition Advice and immediate Medical Support through Albyn, as part of the package. With the added benefit of regular training sessions with the National Performance Directors Elite Squad at Heriot – Watt University , the top players within the country come together and are able to train & compete at the highest level.
EVENTS for 2004 / 2005
There are various tournaments taking place within the Region this season
Grampian Invitational (16 th –18 th ) September 2005
Stonehaven Open – (23 rd -24 th ) September 2005
Montrose Junior Open - (Grade B) - To be advised
Grampian Junior Open – (Grade A) – (10 th - 12 th ) December 2005
North of Scotland/Age Group Nationals (3 rd –5 th ) March 2006
Grampian Junior Closed – (Grade C) – (18 th – 20 th ) March 2006
FAREWELL
Grampian are saying a fond farewell to the Junior Player of the year Robert Adam who has played an enormous part in the Regions Junior & Adult Squash over the years and will be sadly missed. Robert fortunately is only off to Glasgow University , hence he will not be to far away. We wish you all the very best and trust your academic & Squash dreams will be realized Robert.
