2024 Squash Southland Awards' Criteria:
Confirmed 2024 Southland tournament calendar
Huge thanks to the team at Craigs Design & Print for putting together the 2024 Southland tournament calendar with all the info you need for the season:
In February, SquashLevels will replace the old Grading List. It's very different to the old system. All the details are on the poster below:
District Events 2024:
Rules & Referee sessions: contact Nicky McNaught to have a Rules & Ref session held at your club. See poster below for more info
DRAFT 2024 tournament calendar
2023 Squash Southland Awards' Night
Thanks to everyone who attended our Awards' Night at the Kelvin Hotel on Saturday, November 11. It was a great success, with a fantastic atmosphere in the room all night long. Angee Shand did a brilliant job tying everything together as our emcee. Amy du Plessis was our engaging guest speaker. Congratulations to all of our winners on the night, including Karyn Flett [Squash City] on being named as the Volunteer of the Year, and Dipton SC on being named as the Club of the Year.
Thanks to everyone who attended our Awards' Night at the Kelvin Hotel on Saturday, November 11. It was a great success, with a fantastic atmosphere in the room all night long. Angee Shand did a brilliant job tying everything together as our emcee. Amy du Plessis was our engaging guest speaker. Congratulations to all of our winners on the night, including Karyn Flett [Squash City] on being named as the Volunteer of the Year, and Dipton SC on being named as the Club of the Year.
Southland Junior Open [postponed date = Makarewa SC, October 27-28]
Congratulations to Jacob Dudley & Yasmin McLean - the 2023 Southland Junior Open Champions
Congratulations to Jacob Dudley & Yasmin McLean - the 2023 Southland Junior Open Champions
Individual Graded Champs National Finals
The following players attended the National Finals in Whangarei [October 27-28]:
Women's D Grade: Jaime Dickson [OT]. Finished 3rd
Men's D Grade: Bill Christensen [SCity]. Replaced Tont Watt [OT], who won the District title. Finished 6th
Women's C Grade: Nahla Alhamud [SCity]. Finished 4th
Men's C Grade: Chris Heaslip [MAK]. Finished 8th
The following players attended the National Finals in Whangarei [October 27-28]:
Women's D Grade: Jaime Dickson [OT]. Finished 3rd
Men's D Grade: Bill Christensen [SCity]. Replaced Tont Watt [OT], who won the District title. Finished 6th
Women's C Grade: Nahla Alhamud [SCity]. Finished 4th
Men's C Grade: Chris Heaslip [MAK]. Finished 8th
Nationals Teams update:
The Junior Boys' team finished 8th & the Masters team finished 6th. Very well done to both teams.
Congratulations to the following players, who have been selected to represent Southland at Junior & Masters Nationals in Upper Hut and at Squash City, Invercargill respectively:
The Junior Boys' team finished 8th & the Masters team finished 6th. Very well done to both teams.
Congratulations to the following players, who have been selected to represent Southland at Junior & Masters Nationals in Upper Hut and at Squash City, Invercargill respectively:
Challenge Shield final update for 2023:
Dipton completed the cycle v Gore T&C and Wyndham, meaning that the Shield was handed back and a new club order was announced at the Awards' Night in November. Waikaia was scheduled to host Riverton in the first Challenge of 2024, but defaulted, so Riverton will host Balfour. The full list of clubs to follow is:
Otautau, Clinton, Makarewa, Waiau, Riversdale, Fiordland, CSSC, Squash City, Nightcaps, Gore T&C, Mossburn, Waikaka, Wyndham, Tapanui, Dipton and now Waikaia.
Another win for Dipton!!! Dipton overcame a strong challenge from Clinton, with a countback needed to determine the winner after the matches were tied at 3-3. Nightcaps are the next club in line to challenge, followed by Gore T&C and Wyndham.
Dipton won the Shield from Balfour back on September 2, 2022, and have now almost completed a full cycle of clubs. They have had successful defences against Squash City, Tapanui, Riversdale, Otautau, Riverton, Mossburn, Waikaka, Waiau, Makarewa, Fiordland, Waikaia [Default], CSSC and Clinton.
Since February 2, 2022 every club has had an opportunity to win the Shield, with 3 other clubs also having some time as holders [Fiordland, Clinton and Balfour].
Dipton completed the cycle v Gore T&C and Wyndham, meaning that the Shield was handed back and a new club order was announced at the Awards' Night in November. Waikaia was scheduled to host Riverton in the first Challenge of 2024, but defaulted, so Riverton will host Balfour. The full list of clubs to follow is:
Otautau, Clinton, Makarewa, Waiau, Riversdale, Fiordland, CSSC, Squash City, Nightcaps, Gore T&C, Mossburn, Waikaka, Wyndham, Tapanui, Dipton and now Waikaia.
Another win for Dipton!!! Dipton overcame a strong challenge from Clinton, with a countback needed to determine the winner after the matches were tied at 3-3. Nightcaps are the next club in line to challenge, followed by Gore T&C and Wyndham.
Dipton won the Shield from Balfour back on September 2, 2022, and have now almost completed a full cycle of clubs. They have had successful defences against Squash City, Tapanui, Riversdale, Otautau, Riverton, Mossburn, Waikaka, Waiau, Makarewa, Fiordland, Waikaia [Default], CSSC and Clinton.
Since February 2, 2022 every club has had an opportunity to win the Shield, with 3 other clubs also having some time as holders [Fiordland, Clinton and Balfour].
Southland Individual Graded Champs
Held at the Central Southland SC in Winton on September 1-2. This is an excellent tournament format and everyone who entered enjoyed their close games. We are looking at ways of increasing participation for 2024 and beyond.
Congratulations to all of this year's Champions:
Men's FJ Grade = Luke Bottger [Squash City]
Men's E Grade = Ethan Giles [Squash City]
Women's E Grade = Carol Potter [Gore T&C]
Men's D Grade = Tony Watt [Otautau]
Women's D Grade = Jaime Dickson [Otautau]
Men's C Grade = Chris Heaslip [Makarewa]
Women's C Grade = Nahla Alhamud [Squash City]
Men's B Grade = Jacob Dudley [Makarewa]
Women's B Grade = Debs Shirley [Squash City]
Men's A Grade = Regan McNaught [Makarewa]
Women's A Grade = Anna O'Connor [Makarewa]
NB - not all winners are represented in the photo below
The National Finals are being held at the Whangarei SC in Northland on October 27-29, with the Southland participation still TBC.
Held at the Central Southland SC in Winton on September 1-2. This is an excellent tournament format and everyone who entered enjoyed their close games. We are looking at ways of increasing participation for 2024 and beyond.
Congratulations to all of this year's Champions:
Men's FJ Grade = Luke Bottger [Squash City]
Men's E Grade = Ethan Giles [Squash City]
Women's E Grade = Carol Potter [Gore T&C]
Men's D Grade = Tony Watt [Otautau]
Women's D Grade = Jaime Dickson [Otautau]
Men's C Grade = Chris Heaslip [Makarewa]
Women's C Grade = Nahla Alhamud [Squash City]
Men's B Grade = Jacob Dudley [Makarewa]
Women's B Grade = Debs Shirley [Squash City]
Men's A Grade = Regan McNaught [Makarewa]
Women's A Grade = Anna O'Connor [Makarewa]
NB - not all winners are represented in the photo below
The National Finals are being held at the Whangarei SC in Northland on October 27-29, with the Southland participation still TBC.
Southland Masters
Held at Makarewa SC on August 18-19
Congratulations to this year's Champions [both defending their title from 2022]: Debs Shirley from Squash City & Shane Hatwell from the Fiordland SC
Held at Makarewa SC on August 18-19
Congratulations to this year's Champions [both defending their title from 2022]: Debs Shirley from Squash City & Shane Hatwell from the Fiordland SC
Southland Secondary School Team Champs
Held at ILT Stadium Southland on Monday, August 14, with 14 teams from 5 schools.
Congrats to all involved on a great day. Final placings were:
Girls' 3rd place = Central Southland College
Girls' Runner Up = SGHS Blue
Girls' Winner: SGHS Red
Boys' 3rd place = James Hargest College 3
Boys' Runner Up = Central Southland College 1
Boys' Winner = James Hargest College 1
Held at ILT Stadium Southland on Monday, August 14, with 14 teams from 5 schools.
Congrats to all involved on a great day. Final placings were:
Girls' 3rd place = Central Southland College
Girls' Runner Up = SGHS Blue
Girls' Winner: SGHS Red
Boys' 3rd place = James Hargest College 3
Boys' Runner Up = Central Southland College 1
Boys' Winner = James Hargest College 1
Southland Graded Team's Champs
Held at Squash City on July 21-22 with 13 teams entered across 7 Grades. Squash City won the Men's B Grade and Men's D Grade unopposed, as did the Makarewa Women's F/J Grade team.
Otautau won the Women's E Grade Eliminations, beating Squash City 4-1.
Squash City won the Women's C Grade Eliminations, beating Makarewa 5-0.
Squash City won the Men's C Grade Eliminations, beating Makarewa 4-1.
Otautau won the Women's D Grade Eliminations, beating Squash City, CSSC and Makarewa
Squash City sent teams to the Men's B Grade, Women's C Grade & Men's D Grade National Finals
We have a new District format planned for 2025, which should increase team entries & club participation.
Held at Squash City on July 21-22 with 13 teams entered across 7 Grades. Squash City won the Men's B Grade and Men's D Grade unopposed, as did the Makarewa Women's F/J Grade team.
Otautau won the Women's E Grade Eliminations, beating Squash City 4-1.
Squash City won the Women's C Grade Eliminations, beating Makarewa 5-0.
Squash City won the Men's C Grade Eliminations, beating Makarewa 4-1.
Otautau won the Women's D Grade Eliminations, beating Squash City, CSSC and Makarewa
Squash City sent teams to the Men's B Grade, Women's C Grade & Men's D Grade National Finals
We have a new District format planned for 2025, which should increase team entries & club participation.
South Island Junior Age Group Champs
Top 3 results from Southland players from the SI Junior AG Champs that were held at Squash City on July 2-3:
U19 Boys' Champion: Jacob Dudley
U11 Girls' Champion: Mia Mennell
U19 Boys' Runner Up: Ingamar Siegruhn
U17 Boys' Runner Up: Ashton Hansen
U13 Girls' Runner Up: Lakisha Mennell
U19 Boys' 3rd place: Boston Wilton
U17 Boys' 3rd place: Thomas Gray
U15 Girls' 3rd place: Amelia McKay
U13 Boys' 3rd place: Zavier Hansen
U11 Boys' 3rd place: Jett Huynh
Also, very well done to Mia Mennell who finished 3rd in the North Island U11 AG Champs and Lakisha Mennell who finished 4th in the U13's
Top 3 results from Southland players from the SI Junior AG Champs that were held at Squash City on July 2-3:
U19 Boys' Champion: Jacob Dudley
U11 Girls' Champion: Mia Mennell
U19 Boys' Runner Up: Ingamar Siegruhn
U17 Boys' Runner Up: Ashton Hansen
U13 Girls' Runner Up: Lakisha Mennell
U19 Boys' 3rd place: Boston Wilton
U17 Boys' 3rd place: Thomas Gray
U15 Girls' 3rd place: Amelia McKay
U13 Boys' 3rd place: Zavier Hansen
U11 Boys' 3rd place: Jett Huynh
Also, very well done to Mia Mennell who finished 3rd in the North Island U11 AG Champs and Lakisha Mennell who finished 4th in the U13's
One Agency Junior 900 Series
Congratulations to Ashton Hyde from the Fiordland SC, who won the One Agency Junior 900 Series Overall title after a countback. And once again, a huge thank you to Tanya Colyer & Adrian Mennell for their continued support of this Series.
Congratulations to Ashton Hyde from the Fiordland SC, who won the One Agency Junior 900 Series Overall title after a countback. And once again, a huge thank you to Tanya Colyer & Adrian Mennell for their continued support of this Series.
Top seeds claim squash honours at Southland Open
A hugely successful fi innovations Southland Open squash tournament was held at Squash City and ILT Stadium Southland over the weekend.
The top seeded players prevailed in the men’s and women’s open divisions, albeit in contrasting styles.
In the men’s open, Lwamba Chileshe (ranked number two in New Zealand) beat his brother and second seed, Temwa (the fourth ranked player in the country) in three very entertaining sets.
The women’s open final was also a battle of the top two seeds, with top seed Emma Cormack, from Canterbury, overcoming Lily Rae from Midlands in five sets.
The tournament was run by Squash Southland, using Squash City and ILT Stadium Southland as venues.
Tournament Director and Squash Southland District Manager Bruce Thirkell was thrilled with how successful the tournament was, and how far it has progressed in recent years.
“We’ve been lucky to have massive support from our principal sponsor, fi innovations, and also other local businesses sponsoring divisions.”
An entertaining Q&A session was held with the Chileshe brothers, who were part of New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games team in 2022, as part of the prize giving. There was also an auction run by Andy Yule, to raise funds for the brothers’ next overseas adventure. Items for sale included two signed Commonwealth Games tops and training sessions with the brothers on Sunday afternoon. A surprisingly vigorous bidding war raised over $2700.
Squash Southland organised and funded training sessions with the brothers on Sunday morning for selected junior and masters players.
The auction winners were both nervous and excited about their training sessions on Sunday afternoon, but all made the most of a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Southland Open, sponsored by fi innovations, results
Men’s Open: [1] Lwamba Chileshe beat [2] Temwa Chileshe, also from Waikato 11/9, 11/7, 13/11 [both players are from Waikato but are now based in England].
Women’s Open: [1] Emma Cormack from Canterbury beat [2] Lily Rae from Midlands 11/5, 2/11, 11/5, 10/12, 11/9
A hugely successful fi innovations Southland Open squash tournament was held at Squash City and ILT Stadium Southland over the weekend.
The top seeded players prevailed in the men’s and women’s open divisions, albeit in contrasting styles.
In the men’s open, Lwamba Chileshe (ranked number two in New Zealand) beat his brother and second seed, Temwa (the fourth ranked player in the country) in three very entertaining sets.
The women’s open final was also a battle of the top two seeds, with top seed Emma Cormack, from Canterbury, overcoming Lily Rae from Midlands in five sets.
The tournament was run by Squash Southland, using Squash City and ILT Stadium Southland as venues.
Tournament Director and Squash Southland District Manager Bruce Thirkell was thrilled with how successful the tournament was, and how far it has progressed in recent years.
“We’ve been lucky to have massive support from our principal sponsor, fi innovations, and also other local businesses sponsoring divisions.”
An entertaining Q&A session was held with the Chileshe brothers, who were part of New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games team in 2022, as part of the prize giving. There was also an auction run by Andy Yule, to raise funds for the brothers’ next overseas adventure. Items for sale included two signed Commonwealth Games tops and training sessions with the brothers on Sunday afternoon. A surprisingly vigorous bidding war raised over $2700.
Squash Southland organised and funded training sessions with the brothers on Sunday morning for selected junior and masters players.
The auction winners were both nervous and excited about their training sessions on Sunday afternoon, but all made the most of a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Southland Open, sponsored by fi innovations, results
Men’s Open: [1] Lwamba Chileshe beat [2] Temwa Chileshe, also from Waikato 11/9, 11/7, 13/11 [both players are from Waikato but are now based in England].
Women’s Open: [1] Emma Cormack from Canterbury beat [2] Lily Rae from Midlands 11/5, 2/11, 11/5, 10/12, 11/9
New Zealand squash representatives to make debut at fi innovations Southland Open
Two of New Zealand’s top four men’s squash players will make their fi innovations Southland Open debuts in Invercargill this weekend.
The Southland Open has become a key date on the New Zealand squash calendar in recent years, with a record field assembling in 2022 and the capped 120-strong field for 2023 filling up in just one week when registrations opened in February.
Lwamba and Temwa Chileshe, ranked number two and four respectively in the country, will be the number one and two seeds in the men’s draw when they line up for the first time in Invercargill.
The brothers both play professionally and made their Commonwealth Games debuts for New Zealand in Birmingham last year. Temwa finished Runner Up at the Auckland Open last weekend. If possible there will coaching sessions run by the brothers before and after the tournament.
With Joe Williams from Canterbury returning to defend his 2022 title, the men’s draw is stacked, including five A1-ranked players, which is the highest level a player can reach, and three A2s.
The women’s field includes last year’s runner-up Emma Cormack from Canterbury and 2021 winner Anna O’Connor, and features five A grade players.
Each Open Division will be chasing $1000 in prize money thanks to fi innovations.
Squash Southland District Manager Bruce Thirkell was pleased to see entries from all over the South Island, as well as Auckland, Wellington, Waikato and one Australian-based player.
“We are really excited to have received so much support from the squash community and there will be no shortage of action across the courts at Squash City and ILT Stadium Southland. It’s shaping up to be an awesome event. We will have 180 matches across both venues and all of the Division Finals will be played at Squash City on Saturday afternoon and evening” Thirkell said.
Squash Southland are proud to present our 2023 Quads team to take on Otago; Midlands & Canterbury in Timaru over the weekend of May 12-14. Congratulations to all players. We hope you have a successful & enjoyable weekend:
Here's your 2023 Southland Tournament & Event calendar!!! Huge thanks to Craig's Design & Print for doing another awesome job with this.
Entries are coming in thick n fast for the fi innovations Southland Open on May 26-27. Register ASAP to secure your place in the tournament!!! Numbers are limited to a guaranteed 120 entries, with others squeezed in if possible - or added to the list of Reserves to cover last minute withdrawals etc
The 2023 AGM was held at ILT Stadium Southland on Wednesday, February 15. Thanks to Craigs Print & Design for the new look booklets. The book & the minutes can be found below.
| 2023_agm_book.pdf |
| agm_minutes_15-2-23.pdf |
