By Richard Millman
In all the marketing blurbs that accompanies our Olympic efforts the game of Squash is described as a life sport.
This name, applied to a prestigious few sports, is as it implies, an indication that squash is played by players very nearly from cradle (I have had the privilege of coaching my son on his second birthday) to grave (the great coach and mentor Frank Millet from Boston was still playing local league in his nineties I believe).
For my sins I have been appointed as Chair of US Squash’s Masters committee and have been asked to write a few words about masters squash here.
Some readers may be aware that the world of masters squash has grown considerably in the past few years. The U.S. Masters, which is held in conjunction with the S.L. Green National Championships, is our national event and anyone who enjoys competitive squash over the age of thirty-five should enter. It is one of the most friendly, competitive and inspiring masters events anywhere in the world.
What readers may not be aware of is that both the U.S. Masters and the Canadian Masters are open events and may be entered by anyone who pays the entrance fee.
I strongly encourage you to attend both of these wonderful celebrations of our sport this season.
The U.S. Masters will be held at the brand new, state of the art University of Virginia Boar’s Head MacArthur Squash facility in Charlottesville, Virginia, March 7-9, 2014.
The Canadian Masters will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Royal Glenora Club, April 30-May 4, 2014.
Both of these events epitomize the qualities of our life sport—good games, good friends, good food, good times.
Finally, I want to make mention of some other noteworthy masters competition. Please join all of the World’s Masters Squash players for the marquee masters event—the World Masters Championships in Hong Kong in July of 2014. The World Masters is both foR recreational and elite level players, and you are guaranteed great competition and a great camaraderie!
Registration is open now at www.worldmasterssquash.com.hk
I also want to mention that we hope to select U.S. Squash Masters teams to play against Canada and England in the near future. So if you have never played internationally, get training—you may have your chance soon.
The U.S. Masters Squash tradition is extremely strong. There may not be a stronger, broader and deeper group of ‘lifers’ in all of World Squash.
Thank you for your commitment, perseverance, support and passion for our game. Remember: Old Squash players never die. They may lob, float, boast and ultimately drop.
