PETER NICOL COMES TO DULWICH

A match between Dulwich's Tim Garner and Peter Nicol will take place on Sat 26th of Sept, at 12.00 noon.

All are welcome to watch, £10 entrance fee, contact Greg Wallyn if you fancy a knock with one of these two greats from the Squash world.

Dulwich teams on top again

Dulwich's teams are again dominating the Priory League. Now into the second half of the winter season 09/10, standings are as follows:
1st team - top Division 1
2nd team -top 2nd Division 2
3rd team - 4th Division 2  4th team top 4th div.

Champions Again!

Dulwich 1st team retained the NW Priory League Title with a hard fough 3-2 win over arch rivals Biggin Hill. An enthusiastic crowd saw the defending champions over-turn a first half loss to secure the title again.

Dulwich Squash Camp

Sixteen players took part in a weekend squash camp under the expert tuition of Pete Genever. Organised by Eventis Sports, the weekend looked at all aspects of the game from movement to technique to shot selection. Ex-World no.1 Peter Nicol came along to check out proceeedings on the Sunday.

Captain's Newsletter

Dulwich Squash Camp and other news.

If you are a bit like me you probably think your squash game is still on the up slope in terms of it actually getting better. This may of course be my (and maybe your) delusion but its one of those things that makes up a personal squash philosophy that keeps us all playing despite the passing years, the aches and pains and being unable to walk to the bathroom in the morning for that urgent call of nature due to ones frozen ankle joints.

So is there anything that any player of any standard can do to improve their game? Is it possible to teach old dogs new tricks, or even young dogs for that matter? The answer is a resounding yes and it is called The Eventis Squash Camp.

We are fortunate in that Tim Garner, the club number one and ex squash professional {ex world number 25} is running Squash Camps at Dulwich. The first one has just taken place and I am pleased to say that I survived it (only just). My fingers are the only bit of me that does not ache and thus I am able to write this short recommendation for the Squash Camp itself.
 
The event is formally run by ‘Eventis’ an event company that organises many sport events and as its Tim’s company it has a squash bias. The main coach is Peter Genever who is a seasoned coach and coaches England’s juniors. From my experience this weekend he is clearly a fabulous teacher of Squash. Tim also coaches and is an example of the adage of being ‘polite but firm.’ Rob Temple, a young professional Squash Player, ably assisted them. The ex world number 1 Peter Nicol popped in for a lemonade on Sunday morning and to support the event. His attendance was welcomed as I can tell you that by Sunday morning you need a bit of support.  

The event is run over 3 days and has 16 participants. I think that the plan is that players from the region can attend. Dulwich club members are informed about the event before other players from other clubs giving Dulwich members a priority ranking. The cost is 200 pounds for the weekend, which works out at about 20 pounds per hour for world class coaching that is amazing value.
 
The three day course runs from Friday night to Sunday morning. Friday evening is coaching and grading of players and lasts from 19.00 – 21.30 hrs. On the Saturday the 16 players are then split into two groups. Group one does 9.00 –11.00 and then 14.00 –15.30 hrs. Group two does from 11.00-13.00 the 16.00 – 17.30 hrs. At the time the break between sessions seemed to be too long however by Sunday a.m. one can understand that the recuperation and food break of 3 hrs is about right and very necessary.

The sessions are broken down into coaching and conditioning games with some very hard but clever routines. For those not used to ‘thinking’ on the squash court ( I sadly have to include myself in that bracket) be prepared to think – A LOT !!
 
The coaching style is firm but fair and clearly of a very high standard. By Saturday evening with leg muscles quivering the recommended course of action is home, food, ibuprofen and sleep in preparation for the ‘tournament’ in the morning. I took a slightly different form of rest and repair finding myself in the ‘Liquorice’ bar discussing the merits of various types of different vodkas with a Mr W Brownsdon until a late hour (definitely not recommended!!).

The Sunday morning session is a tournament with the winner receiving a bottle of Moet Chandon Champers which was a very nice touch as it was presented by Peter Nicol.

You play a lot of squash over the three days and it is tough but as far as I am concerned that is the whole point. Its too early to tell if my game will radically improve but the Squash Camp is intensive and rigorous squash tuition and has given me plenty to think about and plenty of ideas to work on. Maybe I will be a thinking squash player after all. I can only hope.
 
So, I thoroughly recommend that any club member who wants a short sharp shock to their squash system to kick start improvement to their squash game enrols for a Squash Camp with Eventis at Dulwich Squash Club. I believe the next Camp is on the weekend of 20.9.2008. If you are interested I can pass your details onto Tim Garner.
 
On another note any new members that want to play team squash please can you contact me ASAP.

The Summer Teams BBQ will be held at the club on 4.10.2008 at 3.00 pm. All players summer and future winter are welcome. Bring bread, meat and salad.
 
Good luck and keep playing.
 
Ian Ross Griffin,
Squash Club Men’s Captain