WSRB 19 th Annual Presentation & Commonwealth Games Farewell Dinner The South Wales Leagues culminated in May following grueling winter and spring domestic competitions. League squash in Wales currently hosts 186 teams competing weekly across nine divisions and is essential in promoting interest, participation and players in a sport where facilities are dwarfed by England (9000 playing courts to Wales 210) and the rest of Europe. Every point, rubber and match was intensely contested throughout the Welsh leagues and the players displayed wonderful passion and desire in representing their clubs. To mark their achievements, all teams were honoured at the 19th annual Wales Squash and Racketball Awards, held at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff on July 18. Premier 1 which incorporates the whole of south Wales and covers the entire season - was taken by St Mellons A, with Swansea A claiming the runners- up spot. Premier 2 was claimed by Llantrisant A (winter) and the Vale (spring), while Bridgend A (winter) and Porthcawl A (spring) took the respective second slots. Division 1 East was won by the Vale, with Llantwit Fardre taking the runners-up spot (winter); though Llantwit Fardre went one better after Christmas as they claimed the title in the spring ahead of Cardiff University A. Swansea C won Division 1 West ahead of their D side (winter), whilst Llanelli B took the title in the spring, with Pontardawe B finishing just below. In Division 2 East, Cardiff University A (winter) and Cardiff Vets (spring) were victorious as David Lloyd A (winter) and Newport E (spring) had to settle for second. Pontardawe B (winter) and Neath A (spring) took the Division 2 West titles, pipping Gwendraeth (winter) and The Glamorgan (spring) to top spot. In Division 3 East, Abercynon A (winter) and Llantrisant B (spring) reigned supreme, with runners-up being Abergavenny (winter) and jointly Blaenavon and Pontypool (spring).
The event in Cardiff also paid tribute to the hard work and achievements of up-and-coming players in Wales who acquitted themselves superbly and broke new ground in competition across the season. In March, Wales U13 mixed team won the bronze medal at the Five Nations Championship held in Dublin. The team beat France on the way to securing third the first time this has ever happened. Similar success was attained by Wales U15, U17 and U19 teams, who recorded top eight finishes in their respective European Team Championships (ETCs). In a Test match in Edinburgh this season, Wales U20s were crowned winners congratulations to Joel Makin, Emyr Evans, Owain Taylor, Jenny Haley, Elin Harlow and Sarah Clode on their achievements. English Intercounties S.East Wales U13 Girls - British Champions 2013/2014 Coach Julie Clode, Katie Jones, Eleri Rowlands, Lucy Jones, Bronte Wright Junior Players presented certificates & caps UNDER 13 / UNDER 15 MIXED TEAM FIVE NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS - 28 th -30 th March 2014 Dublin, Ireland. U 13 Greg Tippings Srikar Mummidi Lewis Poole Canaan Brown Ryan Lewis Layna Beattie Katie Jones Elerie Rowlands U15 Andrew Evans Hari Major Daniel Christopher Joe Rhys Curtis Jordan Williams Ciara Richards Ceri Burgis Kate Workman
UNDER 15 / UNDER 17 EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 8 th -11 th May 2014 Prague, Czech Republic. U15 Andrew Evans U17 Nick Birt UNDER 15 9th UNDER 17 6th Hari Major Jordan Williams Ciara Richards Srikar Mummudi Ceri Burgis Elliott Morris-Devred Liam Eason Elin Harlow George Thomas UNDER 19 EUROPEAN INDIVIDUAL & TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 12 th -20 th April 2014 Helsinki, Finland. Greg Tippings Individual Event Only Elliott Morris-Devred Nick Birt Individual & Team Event Emyr Evans Dan Bergin Owain Taylor Jenny Haley Elin Harlow finished 9 th SENIOR EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 30 th April-4 th May 2014 Riccione, Italy. David Evans & Nick Birt Men - Silver medals/promoted Peter Creed Joel Makin David Haley Scott Fitzgerald Women - Finish 5 th /history Tesni Evans Deon Saffery Hannah Davies Jenny Haley
Along with these on-court accomplishments, talent support funding totalling 10,000 was awarded to 8 promising junior players to aid in their development; whilst the Mini Squash National Schools Programme was delivered to 46 institutes in Wales, reaching approximately 5,400 pupils. Special Awards WSRB Volunteers of the Year - Jane Kirk & Huw Thomas /Phil Evans Young Coaches of the Year - Abby Hicks & Hennie Bellamy Volunteer Coaches of the year Peter Crook & Clair Miles-Owen WSRB Coach of the Year Andrew Evans Services to playing squash - Geoff Trenchard As well as the young, Wales have been represented by the not-so-young congratulations to Chris Barker, Julian Griffiths, Alan James, Brian Jones, Nick Dyer, Geoff Perrett, Hugh Griffiths, Paul Mills, Sian Johnson and Lynne Davies for their outstanding efforts on the Masters Home Internationals this year. In the elite field, Peter Creed rose to 81 in the world rankings and was part of a marvellous Wales Men s team performance in Riccione, Italy in May that gained promotion to Division 1 for next season s ETCs. On the WSA Tour, Tesni Evans climbed to a careerhigh 28 in the world, while Deon Saffery reached No. 45 and both contributed to a record high as Wales Ladies finished a remarkable 5th in the top tier of their ETC competition. The pair continued fantastic years by qualifying for the main draw of the British Open the first time in Welsh squash history this has occurred with Evans excelling herself to reach the last 16.
In the tournament s Doubles the girls shone again as the two won gold in the Women s event while Saffery also claimed Mixed Doubles gold with David Evans in Scotland. A hugely successful season was topped off with the selection of seven players (Joel Makin, David Evans, Scott Fitzgerald, David Haley, Peter Creed, Tesni Evans and Deon Saffery) to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow over July and August. Two experienced and excellent referees Roy Gingell and Paul Thomas were also chosen to officiate at the games. We congratulate those selected and also offer huge thanks to Team Manager, Mike Workman, without who s tireless and passionate efforts day-in-day-out the WSRB operation would not be possible. Thanks to Wales Squash and Racketball Sponsors Vital Support, year after year we rely on them for tournament support and Junior Development programmes Jonathan Roberts Sport Wales Leanne Leitch Dunlop Official Ball and Racket Jim Strachan Strachan Travel Travel arrangements Simon Bourge BOURSE Masters Closed & Open Richard Packham Sandra Daniels Pointfore Official Grip Grass roots Events & Mini Squash Schools Racketball Sponsor Simon Scott Harrow Official clothing supplier for Senior Europeans & Commonwealth Games Alan James Simon Lau Welsh Junior Open European Junior Event Many thanks to Sam Lloyd for presenting and Laura & Pete for the superb film footage Regular updates can be found at: www.wsrb.co.uk and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter: @sqwales or like our Facebook page. Issued on behalf of Wales Squash & Racketball by Thomas Owain Davies. MORE PHOTOGRAPHS TO FOLLOW