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 Nottingham
EN BREF
Issue #3
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the British Open |
SHOPPING GALLERY…
 Honey, if
you wanted to buy anything related to squash, the Dunlop British Open
was the place to be to, I tell you. All brands were represented,
despite the name sponsor being Dunlop.
We have them all, from Dunlop (Noblesse Oblige) to Prince, not forget
Wilson, Head, Oliver, E squash, Squash Discount, Hi-Tec, Slazenger,
 Harrow,
Asics, Sorbothane, Canterbury (clever clothing from New Zealand, David
Palmer also was selling his DVDs - if you don’t have one already,
don’t hesitate, it’s full of things you cannot not know about squash -
, Patrick Lausen selling his photos, England Squash also, with a stand
about Mini-Squash…
It’s the place to be, daaaaarlinggggg….!!!!
You could also get some excellent quality food, warm and cold,
beverage of several kinds, a very well organised Kettering service
that reduced the waiting queues to a strict minimum, well done guys,
and of course, Paul’s trademark, those black round tables on both
sides of the glass court that allow people to chat, eat, meet while
the play is on with disturbing the players.
Easy to circulate, easy to work, easy to watch squash, easy to chat…
Just perfect setting….
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IS
IT ONLY ME BUT…
 I’ve been
around in the squash world for a few decades now, I hate to admit, and
I’m more and more impressed with the retrieving that players are
producing nowadays, both men and women.
Not sure if it comes from the quality of the racquets, the strings,
the improved fitness or what, but when I see what those boys and girls
throw at each other, that not only comes back, but as a winner most of
the times, I’m just astonished.
In my days, one, two, three attacks, and that was the end of it. Now,
“how many times do I have to win this point” seems to be a standard
feature of the life of a professional squash player….
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And the winners are ...
by
David Edwards
On Friday 8th September was a fund raising event for the end of
Shrewsbury Summer League Squash Championships in aid of
Onevision Shropshire.
 Onevision
Shropshire is a charity providing support to children who are visually
impaired with the object of improving their quality of life. This
particular event was to raise funds to buy fiber optic lights for a
little boy in care based in the Shrewsbury area.
The event was held at Shrewsbury Rugby Club and supported by all the
teams that played in this years Summer Squash League. The
entertainment was provided free by “The Poet Dogs” a local band who’s
lead singer and guitarist Gary Nolan also played for one of the teams.
During the evening an auction was held with prizes donated by Scott
Drummond (2004 Volvo European PGA Golf Champion) amongst others.
I have known Paul and Sarah for a few years after treating Sarah at
the 2 British Opens held in Birmingham where I worked as a sports
masseur and injury therapist.
 As soon as
I new of this event I phoned Paul who very kindly offered 2 semi
final tickets to this years British Open, with John and Debbie
Armitage placing the winning bid.
The whole evening raised £902 on the night with Lloyds Bank offering
to match that to give a total of £1804.00 The event was organized by
Cyril Nolan with help from Stan Rogers who was the auctioneer and
compere for the night.
Thanks to the event organizers, Shrewsbury Rugby Club, The Poet Dogs
and prize donators.
I would like to especially thank Paul Walters and ISport Marketing for
their generous donation.
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Nottingham
EN BREF
Issue #2
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the British Open |
COSY CORNER…
Sorry, I know I’m going to look like I’m really insisting, but I just
love being here, in the University setting that Paul Walters and his
team have magnificently organised for squash lovers from all over the
world…
 The final
wonderful step for me is that we have a VIP box at the top of the
arena, with a table and a plug that allows me to work in the best of
condition. I didn’t have a light? Oh well, Super Nicky, found a torch
for me, and I’m now all settled.
 Yes,
the best of it all, is actually that adorable lady, Nicky Noakes,
who has been designated to help the VIP’s to feel comfortable, as in
this event, press IS V.I.P. So Nicky spends her time running back and
forward to get us drink, nice tea, make sure that we are working in
the best of conditions.
But most of all, she does it with the most charming smile you’ve ever
seen…
I just luuuuuuuuuuuuve the Dunlop British Open….
Quote of the day, after the referee awarded 'just' a let:
Howard Cherlin: "Ref, how can that only be a let – I
couldn't see ANY of the front wall!"
Ref: "Yes Howard, that's because you were facing the BACK
wall at the time …" |
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CYBERNETIC HEDLEY…
 Do you
remember the Borg in the hit series “Star Trek, Next Generation”?
Well, that’s a bit what Hedley Matthew, father of, reminded me
of today….
“You will love squash… Resistance is futile….” kind of feel…
Like Auntie Sue, who I talked you about during the Mamut English Open,
Hedley eats, lives, shines squash. A fervent supporter – in the real
sense of the word, support – of son Nick, he knows more about squash
that you can imagine, and it was really nice to see him being a core
part of this Dunlop British Open organisation.
Like I said, Paul Walters knows how to choose his team…. |
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BONJOUR LES GARCONS…
 Or,
as you say in your language, hello boys….
Yes, I know, it has been all guys, recently, hasn’t it, Ben Beachill
this, Thomas Garner that… Well, guess what. You’ve got a new kid on
the block….
 ME….
Kayla Palmer, and I’m already turning heads all over the place…
Not to mention that, on the squash level, I have my Dad’s DVD to study
all the technique, drills, etc…
So, watch out, Ben… I’ll see you on court in a few weeks….. |
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Nottingham
EN BREF
Issue #1
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the British Open |
THANKS PAUL….
You can say what you wish, but I just luuuuuve this organisation. No,
not because of all the dozens of volunteers that are doing a fantastic
job around here – I tell you something, one of the greatest talent of
Mr Paul Walters is that he knows how to choose his team – not because
the venue where the glass court is now mounted seems to have been
built for the occasion, not because from the first round, the matches
are stunning and full of upsets and surprises, not because I just keep
on banging on old friends that actually seem genuinely happy to see
me, not that I’m lucky enough to be “event staff” of one of the most
prestigious event in the calendar, not because the buzz here is
actually stunning. No, none of that….
What I loved above all, was that as I was called in a emergency to
London at 11am on Friday, first round day, took the train, rushed to
my studio, earned my life, took the train back, ran into Peter Genever
who had done the reverse, as in go to Nottingham for the day to see
his protégé Azlan Iskander, took the train back, got shouted out by a
lady fishwife who obviously had a long day at work,
flew from the station to the Uni, I arrived just for the last two
matches… as in my two compatriots….
Is that organisation or what?????
LUCKY NUMBERS
by Steve Cubbins
Some of the fans from Folkestone had a little wager amongst
themselves about how many points David Palmer would lose in his
first round match.
The winner, Mark Roberts, decided he just had to go and
show the Marine his correct prediction (ten, as it happens ...)
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LOVE THE QUALIFIERS…
 If you are a
regular reader of SquashSite, you must be aware that we always make a
point of covering the qualifiers as integral part of the tournament.
Well, today at Nottingham University, there was a SquashSite fan –
that’s always nice - but more importantly, a British Open qualifier’s
fan, Stewart Collins.
“I love the qualifiers, wouldn’t miss them for the world. And
actually, I’ve been following all the matches of the BO qualifiers for
the past four years, he says proudly”.
Well, a man to my heart. So guys, when you’ve got an event near you,
don’t just come and see the “big boys”, but come and support the guys
and girls who are NOT in the main draw.
They work much as hard as their higher ranked colleagues, they don’t
get any financial rewards, and deserve the spotlight and the applause
as much as the top billing…. |
NOT BRIGHT THE WOMAN…
You know I’m doomed with computers. I’ve had such bad luck with them
it’s becoming a joke, really.
The last one, in Cairo, who got the room in the lovely Meridien whose
internet connection didn’t work and got to change room at 2am after
yet again a long day of work?
Oh yes….
So when today, I got again problem connecting in the Park Plaza in
Nottingham, I thought I was going “there you go, it’s got to be me,
trust me to get the wrong room, I’m doomed, poor me bla bla bla…”
But when the engineer quickly came to check things out, he simply
pointed out I was using the wrong cable coming out of the wall….
Oh, so now, you want me to know which cable goes where????? Be serious
will you…. |
MATES
As I’m sure you know, as I keep reminding you, Stewart Boswell and
Davide Bianchetti are quite close friends. And as good mates, they
starting rubbing off on each other.
For example, the feisty Italian now loves Cricket and Snooker, while
Bozza, like his mate, is desperately trying to teach his racquet to
fly during matches….
Aren’t they sweeeeeet…..
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