Squashing the competition

READY STEADY GO: It’s fun in the sun during Cairns Navy Week. Our photo, taken at the ‘Almost anything goes’ pool day at Tobruk pool, Cairns, shows the start of event five, the pool pony race.

Photo: ABPH Justin Brown

By SGT Madonna Doyle

Despite not winning the National Squash titles in Victoria, Navy still managed to feature in the winners’ circle last month with victory in the B and C grade divisions.

The Nationals were held at RAAF Base Williamtown from August 19 - 22, attracting more than 50 players from around Australia. Navy and Army played off to compete against the RAAF who were the 2004 champions.

Army managed to edge Navy out of contention and in the final, RAAF retained the title for a fourth straight year, stealing victory on a count-back of points.

The Open Men’s and Masters events were taken out by Army’s WO1 Craig Simmich in a convincing display of skill and experience, while RAAF’s LACW Kerri Bryen made the trip from Darwin worthwhile to steal the Women’s Open.

The Women’s Masters was won by CPL Kim Booth-Collis. Determination and a high level of squash skills helped Navy’s LS Steve Henderson take out the B Grade event, while in the C Grade it was an all Navy affair, with LCDR Brian Froome victorious over LS Don Fawcett.

LCDR Brian Froome was appointed the new President ADF Squash replacing CAPT Ian Middleton, who is returning to a sea posting in 2006. The new Vice-President Navy is LS Siegfried Edlinger.

The 2006 ADF Squash Nationals are scheduled to be conducted at RAAF Williamtown in August 2006. Tournament coordinators are hoping to attract new players to the game, especially females, again next year.

For full results, photos, and ADF Squash info visit the ADF Squash website at http:// wlmis001.ear.defence.gov.au/squash/.

.