Four Cantabrians recognised for their achievements at the Squash NZ Annual Awards

Four Cantabrians were recently recognised for their achievements at the Squash NZ Annual Awards; Janet Udy received the Derek Cook Memorial Trophy for Refereeing, Mike Beresford received the Chairperson’s Award, Adam Odering won the Club & School Coach of the Year Award and Paul Coll won the Squash New Zealand Personality of the Year.

Also, a couple of individuals who have spent some time in Canterbury won awards; Lwamba Chileshe won Squash NZ’s Most Improved Male Senior Player and Nick Mita won Performance Coach of the Year. Lwamba, his father Evans and brother Temwa were previously members of the Christchurch Football Club and were well liked in the Canterbury squash community. Nick started his playing and coaching time at Hoon Hay before being Canterbury Coach for a period. We are proud to have set Nick on the right course to assist with his coaching career.

Janet Udy - Derek Cook Memorial Trophy for Refereeing 

Congratulations to Janet Udy for winning the Derek Cook Memorial Trophy for 2019. The award is presented for the most significant contribution towards refereeing during the year. Janet’s achievements this year include;

• In early 2019 she took over the role of National Director of Refereeing and has contributed strong organisational skills to the position. Her drive to improve communication amongst referees extends to those District and National candidates out in the provinces who need help to arrange assessments to keep their activity register.
• Under her Leadership there has been a focus on training and development, and this has seen all our National referees training in assessing techniques, a new National Referee and several District Candidates also becoming accredited.
• Referees around NZ appreciate the thoroughness with which she researches a subject, contacts the appropriate bodies and advocates on behalf of the group.
• The voluntary hours that she contributes to the smooth administration of refereeing in New Zealand are immeasurable.

‘I really appreciate being acknowledged for the time I’ve given to refereeing — it is my way of giving back to a sport that has given me so much over the years particularly a sense of community and the friends I’ve made all over the country.  And thanks to everyone else who gives their time to our sport — we couldn’t do without you all.’ Janet Udy

Adam Odering –Club/ School Coach

Congratulations Adam for winning the Squash NZ Club and School Coach of the year. Adam’s achievements this year include;

• Running the Christchurch Football Club’s weekly junior programme attracting anywhere between 30-40 juniors all year round
• Provides 1-hour coaching session to all new members of Christchurch Football
• Coached Christchurch Football B Grade Superchamps team
• Coaches St Andrews School
• Provides fitness and individual coaching to club members
• Has provided guidance and mentoring to up and coming coaches
• Coaches Squash Canterbury Junior Development Squads
• 2019 Canterbury Junior Team Coach
• 2019 Canterbury Senior Team Coach

‘Winning the NZ Coach of the year award meant a lot to me this year. I put it everything I had into my squash this year, both as a coach and as a player. I have always a strong passion for playing and coaching squash, but this is the first year I really pushed myself to my full potential in both aspects. I couldn't have done this without the numerous opportunities I have been fortunate enough to have received from Squash NZ, Squash Canterbury, my club Christchurch Football Squash club and all the parents, players and other members of the community who have backed an supported me and allowed me to grow. Too many individuals to name, but a massive thank you to all of you. The biggest thanks of all goes to my partner Zoe for pushing me to be the best I can be and standing by me through all the crazy. Can't wait to do it all over again (and some) in 2020.’ Adam Odering

Paul Coll - Personality of the Year

Congratulations Paul what an awesome ambassador for Squash and an inspirational role module. Paul’s achievements this year include;

• He is currently at a career equal world ranking of No.5 and has had a remarkable 12 months.
• His results include winning the New Zealand National Champs for a fifth time.
• He was a beaten finalist at the Canada Open and won the Canary Wharf Gold tournament beating Tarek Momen in the final.
• He reached the semis at the Egyptian Open, was a semi-finalist at the British Open and won the title at the French Open.
  And just recently he become the first Kiwi male for 34 years to reach the final of the men’s World Championships.

Mike Beresford - Chairperson's Award

Congratulations Mike on winning the Squash NZ Chairman’s award.

Mike played an instrumental role in the competition of the five-year Christchurch Squash Club project, which was completed this year. His knowledge of commercial land and property was imperative to the success of the project. His perseverance, enthusiasm, professionalism, and leadership lead to the incorporation of three clubs, with fifteen courts between them, into one new facility. This did not come easily, with numerous meetings with funders, the council and associated clubs along with the landowner.

The new Christchurch Squash facility with eight glass back courts, procured from Germany on Cashmere Club land is the new impressive facility opened in August this year – thanks to a very dedicated team of people lead by this man. This facility will benefit squash at club, district and national level.

• Mike shouldered much of the responsibility for the build of our new 8 court premises in Colombo Street.
• He arranged for the complete sale of the old building and building of the new facility
• During the build process he used all his business contacts to get the best deals including using his own companies Project manager.
• He sat through all the council hearings and has led the fund raising.
• He arranged for the new courts to come to NZ and the installation

‘I really enjoyed the process, we just ticked of each step one at a time and though the end product looked to be a significant project it really was just a large number of small jobs being completed in the right order for which I had lots of support. For sure there were a few sleepless nights and early mornings, but we had a timeline that we wanted to meet, and we did.

I apologise to a number of people, who I either leaned on for favours, asked for money (still need more), sucked out lots of information and probably was grumpy from time to time.

Our next task is our second stage growth which is to increases our membership to 500 by September2020, with a KEY focus toward Women members as there are so many in the market we just need to “understand women better”. Tough challenge for our blokes” hence Grace Hymers driving this initiative and is contactable at womensdevelopment@christchurchsqush.co.nz or you can call her on 027 313 7779’ Mike Beresford