I’m from Thames and started playing squash at 12, but before I started I grew a love for the sport because my parents have played for many years now.
When they went to tournaments, I would go with them and found squash more interesting the more I watched.
Sometimes I would go down on the court and hit the ball around, but it wasn’t until I was 12 that I started playing my own tournaments and doing team events with Thames. Once I got older and better, I started playing team events for Mercury Bay. I also started training every week with my coach Phil Buscke Somervell, my family and members of the Thames and Mercury Bay Squash Clubs.
Over the past four years, I have had some achievements that took lots of hard work and dedication. In 2023, I competed in the Thames Valley C grade champs and Waikato C grade champs where I finished 1st for both tournaments and got to represent Waikato at the New Zealand C grade champs – where I finished 2nd. I represented the Waikato for the quadrangular series in 2023 and 2024, I got the opportunity to represent Waikato for the New Zealand junior nationals, where I placed 20th in the under-17 girls; I carried on to play in the under-19 teams event.
In 2023, I played in the Waikato C grade team champions with Mercury Bay. As we finished first, we got to go down to Timaru and play the New Zealand team C grade champs, where we finished 6th. In 2023 and 2024, I represented Paeroa college in the Waikato secondary schools where I placed third in the top division for both years. I am now 16 years old and still trying to achieve my best in squash.
Keen to give squash a go? The Thames Squash Club offers Club Nights, Ladies’ Night, a juniors program, Business House, and Interclub at all levels, from beginner to pro. They host three local tournaments a year, and once you’re a member, you can participate in any tournaments around NZ. They also offer in-house doubles, in-house coaching from ex-NZ coach and local rock star Phil Buske, full bar facilities, a kitchen, changing rooms, and showers. Enjoy a great family club atmosphere that is always growing.
Visit the Thames Squash Club Facebook page for more information!
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