While watching coverage of the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the medal successes of the New Zealand team was a highlight of the year for many squash players and fans, it was also inspiring a new bunch of admirers previously unaware of the dynamic and thrilling sport that regular ‘squashies’ have come to know and love.  Eight-year-old Laurie Burton of Papakura stumbled across squash while flicking through Commonwealth Games coverage in April and was instantly enamoured with this strange new sport being played inside a colourful glass fishbowl.  Laurie had to find out more and headed to the best place to learn about almost anything – YouTube. 

After watching hours’ worth of clips from the PSA Squash TV channel, he decided he had to give this sport a try for himself and discovered the Papakura Tennis & Squash Club.  After finding out what the club had on offer, he began joining in with the club’s junior coaching sessions and brings his regular hitting partner – his Dad (also a squash novice) – down to the club two to three times a week.  Laurie is now a proud member of the club. 

Every single one of our squash members has a story about how they were first introduced to our fantastic game and a squash club where they first played or has had a defining positive experience within the sport that left a lasting impression.  We want to hear all the stories out there which show the benefits and difference being involved with sport and a club can have on people and use them to inspire and motivate others to play.   

Send us your ‘Squash Story’ and go into the draw for some fantastic prizes including a set of four squash player cards personally signed by Paul Coll, Joelle King, Amanda Landers-Murphy and Campbell Grayson.    

Email your Squash Story to gm@squashauckland.org.nz and share with us how much you Love Squash!

Article added: Wednesday 17 October 2018