19 Aug 2013 - By Squash Australia
Squash Australia and the Northern Territory Government are proud to announce the Australian Commonwealth Games ‘Shadow Squad’ will compete in the Darwin International Squash Doubles Championship. The event is an key competitive opportunity for the Australians as they will take on combinations from Scotland and New Zealand.
Northern Territory Minister for Sport and Recreation Matt Conlan is delighted that world class doubles squash will arrive in Darwin this week.
“The fact that Squash Australia decided on Darwin for this tournament shows that we can provide top class Squash events equal to those anywhere in the country,” Mr Conlan said. “Sports like Squash are particularly popular amongst the top end indoor sports community and with our Australian Commonwealth ‘Shadow Squad’ in town I urge all Squash devotees to attend some fierce battles this week with the Scots and Kiwi’s.”
The Australians are currently the number two ranked Commonwealth nation, with squad members spread across the world and participating on the Women’s and Men’s World (individual) Tours having the Australian men’s and women’s squad members in one place is indeed a rarity.
Squash Australia CEO Gary O’Donnell said “Squash Australia is particularly pleased to bring the event to Darwin, the opportunity created by the fantastic Darwin Squash Centre, the support of the Northern Territory Government and of course the athletes was too good to pass up’’.
The competition will take place at the new ‘state of the art’ 12 court Darwin Squash Centre which can cater for the Doubles Squash discipline, which is played on a wider court and lower tin.
The event will commence with a test match between Australia and Scotland, Thursday evening 22nd August and will be followed by the Championships Friday through to Sunday. The event will feature Womens, Mens and Mixed events.
O’Donnell is encouraging Squash fans from the Territory to attend the event and enjoy the display of athleticism and skill of all the players.
Squash NT President Judi Hoare added: "It will be a wonderful and rare opportunity to see these athletes in Darwin, live, as different on our screens from Glasgow next year. We will have previous Commonwealth Games medalists Rachael Grinham, Donna Urquhart, Dave Palmer, Cam Pilley and Ryan Cuskelly on show and I for one am looking forward to the event and encourage our locals to support the event”.
