Asides

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Belfast Asides #3
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the WWO, from Steve Cubbins

IRVING: BACK TO BASICS In an interview by S. Sivabalan* of the Malaysian Star, Nicol David's coach explains her methods ...* Liz Irving does not depend too much on modern technology when she coaches. Results have shown that Irving's coaching methods really work. After four years working with Nicol David at her training base in Amsterdam, the Malaysian player has moved up from the middle ranks to become the world No. 1. "It's not old fashioned thinking or training. It is modern technology combined with what is the true essence of squash. Squash will never change. The court dimensions will never change. "We have camcorders and the Malaysian National Sports Council (NSC) is very good at supplying match videos. "We use modern technology in that sense. If it's about learning the skills, then there's nothing new to that." Irving does not feel that the fitness level of players has changed over the years. "I wouldn't say there are changes. Actually, there was more depth in the top end of the game back in 80's and 90's," said the 41-year-old. "There were more solid players in the top 16 (of the world rankings). Now you have four or five players who are at their best,” said Irving, who has been coaching for the past seven years after she retired. "I understand the game very well, I am getting better as a coach. If the player doesn't want to listen then it's not going to work. I coach because I love the game. I want to give back to the game. "I am not here for my own ego. If players want to argue about information or whatever, that's fine then we won't work together." After retiring seven years ago, Irving does not miss playing competitively. "I don't miss it. Not at all. I love watching it and being on court. I don't miss being competitive at all," added Irving.	THANKS TO ALL This event has been a great success, and a real first for Northern Ireland. Much of the credit is due to Belfast City Council, and last night after the semis a reception was held where thanks were given out to some of the key players by Mervyn Elder, head of the Council's Leisure Services, the 'main man', as they say. Plenty of photos in the Gallery
	DOUBLE DUTCH ... When the Grinham sisters are on a tournament on their own, they're each other's coaches ... but after the first round Natalie's husband Tommy Berden has taken over the coaching duties. With Amsterdam-based Liz Irving coaching Nicol David, who spends eight months of the year in Holland, you could easily make a case for this being a Double Dutch final ... and to think ace photographer Jos Aarts left after "all the Dutch players were out ..."
	YOUR MC Considering he hasn't done this before, Derek Brown has taken to this compering lark like a duck to water. He certainly knows how to get the crowd worked up, encouraging them to support the player on their side of the court if they haven't got a favourite, and his introduction of the semi-finals as "two matches beyond belief" wasn't too far off the mark ... The little one-liners are gems too, my favourite being "and remember, no mobile phones ... hand them in here and I'll sell them off on Ebay!". You could write a book ... and we probably will ...
Belfast Asides #2 Everything you never knew you needed to know about the WWO, from Steve Cubbins

DEREK BROWN: Man of Many Talents The first time I saw Derek Brown was on arrival at the Boat Club, where he made us very welcome, showed us around and gave us the password for the wireless network. During those three days he was everywhere, tickets, accreditation, drinks for the press, he did it all. Then, before the first match at the Ulster Hall guess who was on the mic doing the introductions, peppering the audience with crisp one-liners .... I just had to find out more ... What is your role, or roles? Here I'm Championship Chairman, which basically means I get this, do that, see to all the little problems ... and I'm delighted to do it. I'm also President of Ulster Squash and sit on the board of Irish Squash. You're a player yourself then ? Yes, I've been playing for 20-odd years and I play in Ulster division two and in the masters. I represented Ireland in the O55 Home Internationals this year, and hopefully I will be selected again next year. *Any other sports?* In my early day it was Gymnastics and trampolining. I never reached a great standard myself, but as a coach I had players in the National squads. I think I may be the only squash player who used to be able to run up the front wall and do a back somersault! My real background is golf, and I own and run a driving range in Banbridge. Banbridge, home of Madeline Perry? Yes, I've known Madeline since she was a wee junior, right through until she left about 10 years ago to further her squash career. I've followed her progress all the way, and hasn't she done well! I've played her a few times, but she tends to have the upper hand ... How did you become involved in squash? I worked for the Council in leisure management, so became aware of it through that, got involved socially and just started playing. You were involved in bringing the World Open here? It just materialised over a cup of coffee. A few of us talked about it, so I dropped a note to Mervyn Elder who is head of the Council's leisure services and involved in the Northern Ireland Event company. As en ex-player he jumped at the idea and it just grew from there. His staff, especially Kevin Grant, have been fantastic. And now it's here? I'm so delighted this is happening, it's been a year in the planning and I have to say the girls are fabulous, so pleasant, and a joy to have here. With the City Council, the NI Events Company, and Irish squash on board as well it's been a great team effort and it's paid off here. Do you enjoy the compering? Absolutely. I've never done anything like this before, but it's great brushing up on the player profiles and interviewing these great athletes after their matches. Everyone knows me, so I think it works just right for the flavour of the event. I couldn't agree more ... and with that Derek was off to brush up on his player profiles, sell a few tickets, greet some VIPs, and who knows what else ...	SNAPPERS CORNER As pioneered by some of Paul Walters' tournaments on the mainland, the side walls at the Ulster Hall have tables rather than fixed seating, which give the event a much friendlier feel. The assembled photographers - our own Fritz Borchert, Steve Line and Chin from Malaysia - immediately commandeered the table nearest the back wall, an ideal location for them to pick their best shots without missing any of the action. And it's the perfect spot for our scoreboard too ...
	WELCOME TO BELFAST The weather hasn't been the best so far - well, it is late November - which isn't a problem for us Brits, but pity some of the travelling journalists such as S.Sivabalan and Chin Chen Yeong from Malaysia ... it's not quite the 37 degrees they're used to, but hey, it's almost Christmas!
	HAPPY FAMILIES The semi-finals have a bit of a family flavour - the Grinham sisters, obviously, Nicol with her mum and dad here to support, and Natalie Grainger with her tremendous support team ...

Belfast Asides #1
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the WWO, from Steve Cubbins

COACHES CORNER

It's my first visit to Northern Ireland, and apart from the obvious differences - money, accent - it's much like being in the South. The people are very friendly and it's raining.

Yesterday Natalie [Grainger] had a comfortable win with Pam Nimmo pulling out with a bad back. Dom [Lloyd-Walter] had a tougher time with a sharp-looking Vanessa Atkinson, so we are all looking forward to Natalie's match with Vanessa tonight which I'm sure will prove a bit harder.

Summit Squash

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

We all know that squash courts need to be swept to give the players the best foothold they can get, and when you're talking of an event like the World Open it's even more important, and at the Boat Club it's done religiously after every game - not match, game.

The problem is though, where to put the debris that comes off the court? Jos Aarts call his photo "caught in the act ..."

A BOX OF BITS

There's been a bit of discussion on the forum recently about Rusty Koy's idea of a 'Modular Squash Court' - slightly different dimensions, less panels, cheaper to make and quicker to erect.

It doesn't seem that it's likely to happen any time soon, but when you look at the amount of work and the number of components takes to erect these glass courts, you can see the attraction.

Here in Ulster Hall the Eventis construction team have progressed quickly over the last 24 hours, and with another 24 to go the court is taking shape and the seating is going in ...

...but a bit of extra help can never go amiss, can it !!

A COURT WITH A VIEW

Court one at the Boat Club is a traditional court, with just a narrow gallery above the back wall for viewing. You can get a good few in there, especially utilising the tables at the back of the gallery, but some enterprising players showed a bit of initiative in pulling a comfy chair onto the front row ... luxury!

MULTI-TALENTED The snooker room in the Boat Club has been pressed into service as the Press Office this week, but some of the girls have been trying their hand at the room's intended use. No result yet ... and despite the glittering array of talent on show, we can reveal that after 20 minutes of play the score was 10-3 (including a couple of fouls) ... it could be a long day ...