Canadian Squash at the World Masters Games 2009

World Masters Game Single Event Summary

2009-10-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

The Canadian contingent at the 2009 World Masters Games not only had a great time, but won 18 medals.

The list of individuals who won medals:
Anna KIRBYSON - WOMEN 40-44 C – Gold
Lorrie BAILDHAM - WOMEN 45-49 OPEN - Bronze
Stacy HALL - WOMEN 45-49 C – Gold
Laura RAMSAY - WOMEN 55-59 OPEN - Bronze
Sean HORTON – Men 40-44 B – Gold
Brian MCLEAN – Men 40-44 C – Gold
Bruce MADU – Men 40-44 C – Bronze
Tony SORSAK - MEN 50-54 C - Gold
Jay LUNDY - MEN 50-54 C - Silver
Peter BLOOD - MEN 50-54 C - Bronze
Rashid AZIZ - MEN 55-59 OPEN - Silver
Thomas BEDORE - MEN 55-59 OPEN – Bronze
Bob GRYNOCH - MEN 55-59 B – Gold
Gerry POULTON – Men 65-69 OPEN – Bronze
Casey FRANS – Men 65-69 C - Silver
Vinnie TAYLOR - MEN 70-74 OPEN – Bronze
Shaun PARSON - MEN 70-74 C – Bronze
Diarmuid SWAN - MEN 75-79 C – Silver

The Final Result Of the Jericho Squash Nomads

2009-10-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

I report to you from a downtown internet bar after the award presentation Boat Cruise in stunning Sydney Harbour. After spanking my opponents to get into the finals of the Men's 50-54 C, I found myself getting spanked in the Gold medal round. 11-8, 11-8, 11-6. There's alot to be said for playing an unconventional game...it helps you win Gold...something I have to learn...however...had fun and learned a thing or two.

Rashid's Gold medal game in the men's 55-59 Open was closer...he was on the same court after me and so got to referee. Again, his opponent, Micheal (from Tasmania) played a gritty, slightly unconventional game as well. highly entertaining and lots of long, lung bursting rallies. Eventually Rashid fell in the fourth game. Overall difference across all games combined was only 6 points...11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9. But he still went down...certainly as a proud warrior.

Stacy competing in the women's 45-49 B was the only Nomad to win Gold as a result of a Round Robin that she absolutely dominated in.

Max (women's 35-39 B) played her best, but was unable to overcome the challenges in her category from Argentina and Montreal...however, she certainly wins the award for most stylish outfits...the Uraguayan Team was following her around hoping for a nod of attention from her.

So...we return with two Silvers and one Gold and a whole lot of great memories and stories to share with those who will listen....and the message is...PLAY....HAVE FUN....THAT'S ALL THERE IS!!

Your loyal scribe,
Jay

Source: Jay Lundy

Results Day 4!

2009-10-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

Women's Day 4 Results

Women's 35-39 & 40-44 C Zulmira Brindley (AUS) defeated Anna Kirbyson (CAN) 3-2
Women's 45-49 Open Jo Morgan (AUS) defeated Lorrie Baildham (CAN) 3-0
Women's 45-49 B Sandra Bassett (CAN) defeated Shannon Anderson (AUS) 3-0
Women's 45-49 C Stacy Hall (CAN) defeated Jo Birtwistle (AUS) 3-0
Women's 50-54 B Pam Lewis (CAN) defeated Shirley Collins (AUS) 3-1
Women's 50-59 & 65-69 Laura Ramsay (CAN) defeated Jean Grainger (SFA) 3-0

Men's results for Day 4 were not online yet. I will add the men's results once the file is uploaded on the website

The Adventure Of The Squash Nomads Continues!

2009-10-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

It's been a week now that we've experienced Aussie hospitality and competition from other countries as well including Argentina, Uraguay, Ireland, England and South Africa. The Aussie and Canadian squash contingencies are by far the largest.

Finally we are all getting full night sleeps without waking in the middle of the night and aimlessly filling time to make ourselves tired. I think we've sampled most of the beers either at courtside or out on the town. Waiters and watresses are a dying breed down here as everything is self serve.

All the venues for all the sports are quite spread out throughout Sydney and environs...traffic is uusually heavy and so we haven't seen anything during the days but the inside of the Thornleigh Squash Club. Lot's of great play...at all levels, regardless of age or ability...which is really the whole idea behind the Games. Last night I watched two 67 year olds go at it as if the winner would control the Western Hemisphere! They weren't dashing around the court, but they still had the finesse, the fluid swings and the shot selection. Very inspiring as I slowly march toward that age category.

Jericho has done well so far. Stacy Hall has won the Gold for women's C age 45-49. Rashid (Men's 55-59 Open) and Jay (Men's 50-54 C) both play for Gold tomorrow. Max (Women's 35-39 B) got knocked out of medal standings today but plays tomorrow one last time. Ian Humphries has been steadfast in his support, his driving and his picture taking. Will send some along right after this. So, tomorrow we'll know whether we bring home more gold or a mixture of precious medals.

Wish us well.

Cheers,

Jay

Source: Jay Lundy

Update from the World Masters Games

2009-10-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

It's day 5 of the Masters Games and the smell of linament is getting stronger. The best part of the games is actually the inspiring older athletes who are showing that an active life can be sustained until the latter years - just at a whole different level. The poster athlete so far seems to be a 100 year old in the track and field: she has set several records including in the shot put. She is the only athlete in most of her events but I'd guess she'd take out any other competitors anyway.

In a city of so many millions it's a pretty special experience to see so many athletes around town proudly sporting the games ID cards and slightly tacky backpacks. Even at the Sydney opera on Monday night you could spot them despite the gussied up clothes and performance lighting.

My record at the games is now 3 wins and 2 losses with 1 match to go. I seem to be sitting in 3rd place now which suits me fine. Brian MacLean from the Evergreen Club hasn't dropped a match yet and I am thinking he might take it all if he wins his match on Thursday.
Tommorrow is the final day for singles play with the medal ceremonies and harbour cruise sheduled for the evening. It's been a lot of fun so far with really good spirited squash -the next games are set for Turin, Italy in 4 years. Lots of folks here are thinking about going.

Source: Bruce Madu

Canadian Squash players looking to bring some hardware back to Canada!

2009-10-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Going for Gold
Men's 55-59 Open - Rashid Aziz (CAN), defeated Tom Bediore (CAN), 3/1
Men's 40-44 B - Sean Horton (CAN), defeated Barry Davis (AUS) 3/0
Men's 50-54 C - Jay Lundy (CAN), defeated Graham Green (AUS) 3/0
Men's 50-54 C - Peter Blood (CAN), defeated fellow Canadian Tony Sorzak 3/0

Note: Jay Lundy and and Peter Blood will now be facing each other for the gold!

Men's 40-44 C -Brian McLean, defeated Grant Hodson (AUS) 3/0
Men's 65-69 C - Casey Frans, defeated Lewis Price (AUS) 3/0

Going for Bronze
Following is lost to Rashid Aziz in the Men's 55-59 Open, Tom Bedore will be playing for the bronze medal
Following is lost to Peter Blood in the Men's 50-54 C, Tony Sorsak will be playing for the bronze medal
Men's 65-69 Open - Gerry Poulton, lost 10-8 in the 5th to Tony Martin (SA)
Women's 45-49 Open -Laurie Baildham, lost 3/0 to Jo Morgan (AUS)

Women's 55-59 & 65-69 Open - Laura Ramsay won today over Jean Grainger

Other results
Men's 65-69 Open - Warren Longpre lost to Ted Vane (AUS) 3/0
Men's 40-44 B - Christopher Guiffre lost to Sebastian Fontana (URU) 3/0
Mens 40-44 C -Bruce Madu defeated Nick Ames (AUS) 3/0

Source: Gerry Poulton

World Masters Games 2009 Day 3 Results

2009-10-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

Men's Day 3 Results

Men's 40-44 B Sean Horton (CAN) defeated Christopher Giuffre (CAN) 3-0
Men's 40-44 C Brian McLean (CAN) defeated Richie Davis (AUS) 3-0
Men's 50-54 Open Kelvin Smith (AUS) defeated Ian Bell (CAN) 3-1
Men's 50-54 Open Manuel Zacharias (AUS) defeated Rob Wilcox (CAN) 3-0
Men's 55-59 Open Thomas Bedore (CAN) defeated Phil Grant (AUS) 3-2
Men's 55-59 Open Rashid Aziz (CAN) defeated Mark Webster (AUS) 3-0
Men's 55-59 Open Gerald Aronstan (AUS) defeated Gary Helmkay (CAN) 3-0
Men's 55-59 B Bob Grynoch (CAN) defeated Jerry Cuthbertson (AUS) 3-1
Men's 55-59 C Larry Lawrence (CAN) defeated George Dunatov (AUS) 3-0
Men's 55-59 C Richard Woodridge (AUS) defeated Frank Webster (CAN) 3-0
Men's 60-64 C George Pugh (CAN) defeated Len Goodfellow (AUS) 3-2
Men's 65-69 C Reuben Bates (AUS) defeated Hugh Burgess (CAN) 3-2
Men's 70-74 C David Wenneborn (AUST) defeated Shuan Parsons (CAN) 3-0

Women Results

Women's 35-39 B Silvina Car (ARG) defeated Max Hakh (CAN) 3-0
Women's 35-39 & 40-44 C Anna Kirbyson (CAN) defeated Pauline Jackwitz (AUS) 3-0
Women's 65-69 B, 70 C & 70 B Berwyn Collings (AUS) defeated Verna Dalgleish (CAN) 3-1

Day 2 Results from Sydney

2009-10-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

Men's Results Day 2

Men's 40-44 C Brian McLean (CAN) defeated Bruce Madu (CAN) 3-0
Men's 40-44 C Brian McLean (CAN) defeated Nick Ames (CAN) 3-0
Men's 40-44 C Bruce Madu (CAN) defeated Chris Parrello (AUS) 3-0
Men's 40-44 C Stuart Veron (AUS) defeated Bruce Madu (CAN) 3-1
Men's 60-64 C George Pugh (CAN) defeated Len Goodfellow (AUS) 3-0
Men's 65-69 Open Gerry Poulton defeated Warren Longpre (CAN) 3-0
Men's 65-69 C Rubben Bates (AUS) defeated Hugh Burges (CAN) 3-2
Men's 65-69 C Casey Frans(CAN) defeated Ray Slater (AUS) 3-0
Men's 70-74 C Shuan Parsons (CAN) defeated Arnie Calica (AUS) 3-0

Women

Women's 35-39 & 40-44 C Zulmira Brindley (AUS) defeated Anna Kirbyson (CAN) 3-2
Women's 35-39 & 40-44 C Narelle Murdoch (NZ) defeated Max Hakh (CAN) 3-0
Women's 45-49 Open Lorrie Baildham (CAN) defeated Sue Taylor (AUS) 3-0
Women's 45-49 B Christine Fyfe (AUS) defeated Sandra Bassett (CAN) 3-1
Women's 45-49 B Stacy Hall (CAN)defeated Saskia Hayes(AUS) 3-1
Women's 50-54 B Helen Brownlie (NZ) defeated Pam Lewis (CAN) 3-2
Women's 50-59 & 65-69 Gaye Mitchell (AUS) defeated Laura Ramsay (CAN) 3-1
Women's 65-69 B, 70 C & 70 B Helen Cooper (AUS) defeated Verna Dalgleish (CAN) 3-0

Updates and Results from the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney

2009-10-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

Men's Results Day 1

Men's 40-44B Christopher Giuffre (CAN) defeated David Mace (AUS) 3-0
Men's 40-44B Sean Horton (CAN) defeated Christ Heath (AUS) 3-1
Men's 50-54 Open Ian Bell (CAN) defeated Des Woods (AUS) 3-0
Men's 50-54 C Peter Blood (CAN) defeated Colin Rettos (AUS) 3-2
Men's 50-54 C Tony Sorsak (CAN) defeated Phil Ancell (AUS) 3-0
Men's 50-54 C Jay Lundy (CAN) defeated Rod Walker (AUS) 3-20
Men's 55-59 Open Michael Brown (AUS) defeated Gary Helmkay (CAN) 3-0
Men's 55-59 Open Rashid Aziz (CAN) defeated Mark Webster (CAN) 3-0
Men's 55-59 B Bob Grynoch (CAN) defeated Ron Neisson (CAN) 3-0
Men's 55-59 C Larry Lawrence (CAN) defeated Nicholas Cochrane (SNG) 3-0
Men's 55-59 C Larry Lawrence (CAN) defeated Franz Sugar (AUS) 3-0
Men's 55-59 C Gary Gibbs (AUS) defeated Frank Webster (CAN) 3-0
Men's 55-59 C Luis Lopez (AUS) defeated Paul Gutteridge (CAN) 3-2
Men's 65-69 Open Warren Longpre (CAN) defeated Kevin Farrell (AUS) 3-0
Men's 65-69 C Casey Frans (CAN) defeated Ray Slater (AUS) 3-0
Men's 75-79 C Diarmuid Swan (CAN) defeated Ray Murthagh 3-0

Results from the World Masters Games

2009-10-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 10th, 2009 marked the debut of the Squash competitions at the World Masters Game in Sydney. Below is a brief summary of matches that were played by Canadians!

Women's

35-39 B Narelle Murdoch (ARG) defeated Max Hakh (CAN) 3-0
40-45 Open Lorrie Baildham (CAN) defeated Sue Taylor (AUS) 3-0
45-49 C Stacy Hall (CAN) defeated Saskia Hayes (AUS) 3-1

For complete match schedule and results please go to: http://www.2009worldmasters.com/default.aspx?ArticleID=86#fragment-3

Master's Game Blog Update

2009-10-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Settled into the first day of playing here in Sydney. Most Games participants suffered the "longest que in mankind" as over 28 000 athletes tried to get their accreditation on friday before competition started. I managed to hit a ball on two occassions en route to Sydney on a stop over in New Zealand. As I told my wife - squash is very popular down here and finding courts will be easy. Sure enough, the first stop was Rotorua, NZ, a town of probably less than 10,000 where I had my choice of 4 facilities - including one at the high school. The second time I practised was practically at the Auckland airport where alongside Air New Zealand Jumbo jets was the airport fitness club which had a run down, but functioning court. It was nice to hit a ball a few times to get the stroke going - and boasts still travel the right way around here.

I played two matched yesterday. The first against a fellow Canadian from Vancouver who I played a couple years back. Regretably I had the same result dropping the match in three straight. The games are using PAR 11 scoring which is not at all popular for the same reasons we experience in Canada - the games are too short at anything less than open level play. Most folks down here are playing PAR 15 in their league play and liking it much more. I won my second match in three straight yesterday so I am encouraged that somewhere in this tournament is a place for me.

I am grateful to have received a squash shirt with a maple leaf and a Canada title to it from Manta sport. I have seen many of the other Canadians wearing our country's symbols and Canada forms the largest visiting country at the games with over 2000 athletes. I hope we can have some Squash Canada shirts ready for the next games or the World Masters Squash Championships to be played in Germany!
Sydney is a remarkable city and my wife and I have been run off our feet chasing the exciting things to do. We haven't had time to do laundry yet - so today's competitor is going to notice something slightly off on the court. It's an hour train journey to the squash facility so we have to run

Source: Bruce Madu

The Adventures Of The Jericho Squash Nomads

2009-10-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Registration day on Thursday at the Olympic Park brought into perspective the sheer size of the World Masters Games. Turns out there are 30,000 athletes competing. That's the exciting part...the number of people we've met from different parts of the world is amazing...competing in one or more of the 28 sports just for the fun and challenge of it.

However, the down side of that many people is the 3+ hrs we spent in a line up at the Olympic Stadium to get our official registration package...it was frustrating to say the least. Someone clearly didn't do the math properly around registration time and resources required for that many people. Saturday was the big day for each of us...our first matches and the Jericho Nomads were just 4 of probably 25 Canadians playing Squash. After a long day at courtside and in competition, we can proudly say we come out of Round 1 with three victories and one defeat.

The victors are Rashid, Stacy and Jay. Max went down in a closely fought battle. Our coach and startegist, Ian Humphries captured much of it on video and in photos. A bbq for all the competitors followed and we were back home by 9:30...some ready for bed, others ready for beer and wine. That's it for now.

Source: Jay Lundy

Preparing for Squash at the World Masters Games in Sydney?

2009-10-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Although competition doesn't begin till Saturday, October 10th, 2009, Bruce Madu is already somewhat of a winner. Bruce, who will represent Canada in the Mens 40+ C Division won a contest prior to the World Masters Game by answering the following question:

Tell us about a funny sporting experience you have had during your preparation for the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games.

"I am training for squash by mountain biking as our courts are currently closed. I have been highly focussed on not injuring myself by crashing and riding ultra conservatively. Last week I fell over while standing still, down a 3 metre gulley, and broke my helmet on a rock that I hit at the bottom. Good fortune followed me at this ironic moment as I have no injuries whatsoever as a result. Life sometimes deals us a funny hand."

Source: Bruce Madu

Canadian Squash Player sets foot in Sydney!

2009-10-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

Our long flight arrived yesterday on a plane that was cheek to jowl with passengers. Apparently Wednesday was the day that 50% of the athletes were to arrive. Our small gang of 5 squash Nomads from Jericho are just a handful compared to the entourages involved with the soccer and softball teams that are streaming through Aussie customs.

This is day two now and we are finding that we will likely need a good four days to clear the haze of travel from our systems. We did get to visit the competition site and book a court to start working out the bugs...WOW...so this is what it's like to swing a racquet through the blur of 15 time zones. Our first matchs are on Saturday which means we've got three days to pull it together. The facility in Thornleigh is 30 minutes outside of Sydney and is basically a big, unadorned box. 3 sides are lined with 3 squash courts on each...movable bleacher seating all around....the fourth side is the admin area and pro shop...very austere in terms of club amenties...no steam, no sauna, no lockers, simple change room, , no gym for warming up...one treadmill in the centre area is all they have... Working out the travel bugs on the court continues today.

Source: Jay Lundy

Four Days to Go!

2009-10-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

World Masters Games international competitors arrive in Sydney

The thousands of competitors have started arriving in Sydney for the world’s largest multi-sport event that begins on Saturday.

Sydney International Airport was a hive of activity as Games workforce, including Chief Executive Officer Shane O’Leary, greeted Games competitors from all around the globe.

The Games have attracted a record 28,292 competitors from 95 countries.

"Thirteen countries – Canada, New Zealand, America, Russia, the UK, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Finland, Sweden, South Africa, Papua New Guinea and Ukraine – have more than 100 of their residents registered as Games competitors," Mr O’Leary said.

"Canadians, in particular, are wonderful supporters of the Games. More than 2,200 Canadians have signed up to compete at the Games and it was great to welcome many of them personally today."

http://www.2009worldmasters.com

The World Masters Games in Sydney

2009-10-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

There are 28 sports on the program for the 2009 World Masters Games. The sport of squash features both age class events at the A, B and C levels, and a mixed team event. All of the squash will take place at Thornleigh Squash Centre and Dural Squash and Fitness Centre. The World Masters Games are as much about making friends and having fun as they are about playing hard and winning medals. There are 34 Canadian squash players traveliing to Sydney to partipate in the Games.

Canadians invade 2009 US Masters Championships

2009-04-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

Nineteen Canadian players travelled to Trinity College, Hartford CT, for the 2009 US Masters Squash Championships, competing in every age category from M40+ to M80+ (M75+ category the only exception) and returned across the border with a significant amount of hardware.

Talk of the weekend by the host Americans was that the competition in this year’s tournament was much tougher, largely because of the influx of the Canadian competitors. With 13 players from Ontario, 3 from BC, 2 from Quebec, and 1 from Alberta, the different parts of our country were well represented and ready for action.

Historic Trinity College is a terrific squash venue, 8 courts set up in a circular fashion for easy viewing, and two all glass show courts, something which several of our Canadian players had never experienced. For many of our players, it was also their first tournament experience with PAR 11 scoring, and so, the challenges were laid before our players, and meet the challenges they did. Squash play throughout the weekend was high caliber and exciting, and it was great to find our players, from “sea to shining sea,” supporting/cheering one another on in our matches. All players deserve congratulations for their spirited play and performance.

Tournament Winners include:
· Steve Wren (PQ) – M40+
· Mike Bertin (ON) – M50+
· Tim Bale (BC) – M60+

Tournament Final Four Finishers:
· Eric Dunn (ON) – M50+, 2nd place
· Rashid Aziz (BC) – M55+, 2nd place
· Ed Scully (ON) – M60+, 2nd place
· Vinnie Taylor (ON) – M70+, 2nd place
· David Sly (ON) – M40+, 3rd place
· Gerry Poulton (BC) – M65+, 3rd place

Other Canadian Competitors:
· M45+ - Chris Sadler (ON, 5th place), Wayne Pye (ON, consolation final), Glenn Britton (ON, consolation semi)
· M50+ - Paul Lechtzier (ON, classic plate final), Paul Welsh (ON, consolation quarters), Tom Bedore (AB, consolation quarters), Michael Thompson (ON, plate quarters)
· M55+ - Brian Waddington (ON, consolation quarters—withdrew due to illness)
· M60+ - Robert DeValk (ON, 7th place)
· M80+ - Bernard Creighton (PQ, 2 & 2 in round robin draw)

Once again, congratulations to all players, an excellent weekend of squash, competitive play, with new friendships made and some old renewed—exactly what Masters Squash is all about.