Squash Committee

Chairman

Keith Gristwood

Affiliated Club 2009/10

DUMFRIES SQUASH CLUB NEWSLETTER – WINTER 2009     

Issue No.2

Dear Squash Players,

Welcome to the latest issue of the e-newsletter focussing on news and events in the

squash section of Dumfries Sports Club. It’s been a busy month at the club so we

hope you find this useful and informative.

Dumfries Squash Club Logos

Further to the AGM and the club name change, during the recent Masters

tournament we exhibited two designs for a new Dumfries Squash Club logo. These

have been designed free of charge by Trish Copeland, a graphic designer and friend

of Rosanna Pierro, and we’ll also be provided all the complementary materials for the

selected design to provide us a new, professional look. For those of you who haven’t

seen them -

 

Option A                                     Option B

The two designs will also soon be exhibited on the notice-board. We would like the

members of the squash club to select the new design and we’d appreciate it if you

could put your name under your preference on the notice-board.

Masters Tournament

The inaugural South of Scotland Masters tournament, held at the club over the

weekend of 21-22 November, was a great success. We had total of 81 paid entries

and 77 participants due to a handful of call-offs due to the weather. All the feed-back

to-date has been extremely positive not just from the players but also from Scottish

Squash.

The tournament was well-supported by local and regional players who comprised a

quarter of the competitors and on balance Nunholm Squash Club performed well

taking 4 titles out of the 11 up for grabs, 3 runners-up spots and 2 plate titles.

The local winners included Sue Strachan in the O-35 ladies event and Faith Sinclair

who won the O-50 ladies title in a thrilling and close 3-2 final. In the men’s events

Nunholm’s “old” boys saved the day with Davy Rogan winning the O-75s and Abbie

Robertson the O-70s with Davy Rogan as runner-up.

In the O-45s current Scottish Champion Jimmy Wells put in a brave performance in

the final but went down 3-1 to Tony Hetherington from Carlisle. In the O-50s

Malcolm McCubbin after a lengthy 3-2 semi-final win found the going too tough

against Neil Rayner, a current Scottish internationalist, and lost in straight sets 3-0.

The men’s O-40 and O-55 plate competition finals featured all-Nunholm line-ups with

John Thin clinching an unexpected 3-0 win over Garry McKean in the O-40s. The O-

55 plate final featured Raymond Kirk and John Glendinning. Kirk took the first two

sets but a determined fight-back by Glendinning levelled the match at 2-2. In the

deciding fifth set, Glendinning took an early lead but Kirk hung in and finished a 3-2

winner.

Full results are posted on the website www.dumfriessportsclub.co.uk/squash

Preliminary accounts indicate we realised a gross profit of around £2,000, which after

the Scottish Squash affiliation fee, nets out at £770 towards future court repairs and

maintenance. We also raised £65 for junior squash from the squash-bag raffle.

Thanks to everyone who entered the tournament, came along to spectate and

bought raffle tickets.

The D&G Closed – was held at Lockerbie Squash Club during the week commencing

23rd November. The main competition was played in a 4-group round-robin format

and the final was held on Saturday 28th between Ronnie Carter and Jimmy Wells.

Ronnie got off to a flyer taking a two set lead against a placid Jimmy who then pulled

back the third 9-8 after Ronnie had two match points. Jimmy then took the 4th 9-1 as

it seemed Ronnie was keeping his energy for the 5th. The final set was edgy and

again Ronnie had match point at 8-7 but edged his drop into the red. At 8-8 it was

set two, and Jimmy made some controlled lengths to edge it 10-9.

The all-Lockerbie Plate competition was won by Kenny Little 3-2 over Bruce

Robertson in another close final.

Coaching

Several members have enquired about the availability of coaching. Currently I have

confirmed a few people who are willing to provide coaching. If you are a relative

beginner or just want some pointers to improve your game, please sign-up on the

sheet on the notice-board. These sessions will begin in January and will be scheduled

subject to the coaches’ availability and the level of interest. Details to follow….keep

an eye on the notice-board!

Other News/Reminders

Dumfries Sports Club AGM – is being held on Wednesday 9th Dec. We would

appreciate your attendance to support any motions being raised by the Squash Club.

Club Competitions – the entry forms for the Club Championship, the Jim Thorburn

handicap and the Ladies Club Championship are now posted on the notice-board.

Closing date for all these competitions is 13th Dec.

Xmas Party – a casino-oriented Xmas party has been arranged by Dougie and Carol

Brotherston on Saturday 19th Dec. The evening will feature a disco, roulette table

and a BBQ. Tickets are on sale now at £5 each. So grab your team for your Xmas

Night Out and come along and support the Club.

Winter League fees – The majority of players have not paid their fees and are

overdue. Please ensure that you pay them promptly and initial your name on the

sheet behind the bar (or we may have to deduct league bonus points!). £3 per

player; £1.50 for juniors.

Your new Committee’s full line-up:

Chairman: Keith Gristwood

Treasurer: Keith Martin

Secretary: Peter Allen

Juniors/Racquetball: Ray Currie

Others: Sue Strachan

Rosanna Pierro

Jim Scriven

Feedback – we would welcome your comments and suggestions for future issues of

the squash newsletter.

Keep fit, enjoy your squash and have a Happy Holidays. Thanks,

The Squash Club Committee

 

                                                                                                        

NUNHOLM SQUASH CLUB NEWSLETTER – WINTER 2009            Affiliated Club 2009/10    

                                                                                   

Dear Squash Players,

 Welcome to this the first e-newsletter focussing on news and events in the squash section of Dumfries Sports Club. We hope you find this useful and informative.

Summary of AGM held on 27 October

 Sue Strachan stood down as Chairperson. Thank you Sue for your leadership and all your efforts during the past several years.

 Your new Committee:

Chairperson:   Keith Gristwood

Treasurer:     Keith Martin

Secretary:     Peter Allen

Juniors/Racquetball: Ray Currie

 

The decision was approved to change the name of the squash club from Nunholm to Dumfries Squash Club effective once all the legalities have been taken care of, so likely at the beginning of the year.

 Winter League fees set at £3 per player; £1.50 for juniors. These fees are payable now so please initial your name on the sheet behind the bar once you have paid.

 Other News

 Court Repairs – during the first week in October Court 1 was completely re-plastered and the floor sanded-down. On Courts 3 and 4, the front walls were repaired and re-painted; the court lines were renewed and several areas of loose floorboards/springy areas were repaired. On Court 2 several loose boards were tightened up. All these repairs cost over £3,200.It was noted by Tony Gay on Courts 3 and 4 that the gaps between the bearers supporting the floors was 700mm as opposed to the typical 400mm. It is thus likely that both these floors will require lifting and additional bearers inserted in the future.

Masters Tournament – the inaugural South of Scotland Masters tournament is being held at the club over the weekend of 21-22 November. We are anticipating a total of around 80 entries in all age groups from O-35 to O-75 in the men’s and O-35 and O-50 in the ladies. If you haven’t already entered but would like to, please note that entries close this Friday 13th Nov. If you don’t want to participate why not come along and support the Club’s players and see some of the best Masters players in Scotland in action. Rounds on Saturday and semi-finals and finals on Sunday from 9.30am both days. We estimate that this tournament will realise a gross profit of around £2,000, which after the Scottish Squash affiliation fee, nets out at £800 towards future court repairs and maintenance.

 Club Competitions – the entry forms for the Club Championship, the Jim Thorburn handicap and the Ladies Club Championship are now posted on the notice-board. Closing date for all these competitions is 13th Dec.

 D&G Closed – this year the D&G Closed is being held at Lockerbie Squash Club during the week commencing 23rd November. Entry form is also on the notice-board and the closing date is noon on 19th Nov. Please support Lockerbie in this competition as they have arranged the sponsorship and its players support the event when it has been held at Nunholm.

 Fund-raising Website – the squash club has now signed up to the Easyfundraising website, the same used by the Cricket Club. There are over 2,000 retailers available, no additional costs involved and also discounts available. This approach has successfully raised hundreds of pounds for other clubs including some £600 for the Cricket Club during the past 2 years.


The funds raised will go towards maintenance of the squash courts and in particular the impending work required on the floors of Courts 3 and 4.

Just register at the following web address www.easyfundraising.org.uk/dsc and then do your online shopping as normal. Look out for special offers and increased contributions! So please remember it for any planned Christmas shopping and support the squash club at the same time. Further details are available on:

http://dumfriessportsclub.co.uk/squash/fundraising/

 Xmas Party – a casino-oriented Xmas party has been arranged by Dougie and Carol Brotherston on Saturday 19th Dec. Raffle tickets are currently available at the bar for a chance to win numerous great prizes. Anyone who is willing to volunteer for the evening of the event or even just a couple of hours of their time, please contact Dougie or Carol. The evening will feature a live band and a BBQ. Tickets are on sale now at £5 each. So grab your team for your Xmas Night Out and come along and support the Club.

 Squash members – currently we have around 100 members who play in the D&G and club leagues or just socially. This first newsletter is going out to around 60 members who provided their e-mail addresses on the Membership renewal form. If you’ve read this on the notice-board and wish to receive it via e-mail please give your e-mail address to one of the committee members for inclusion.

 Dumfries Sports Club AGM – is being held on Wednesday 9th Dec. We would appreciate your attendance to support any motions being raised by the Squash Club.

Feedback – we would welcome your comments and suggestions for future issues of the squash newsletter.

 Keep fit, enjoy your squash and have a Happy Holidays. Thanks,

 The Squash Club Committee