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Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist To Play At Nationals Club Champs This Weekend In Auckland

Wednesday 22 June 2011, 5:09PM

By Dave Worsley

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Commonwealth Games medallists and plenty of the sports elite will be putting their reputations on the line this weekend, June 24-26 in the top teams competition in the sport of Squash.

Jaclyn Hawkes the Commonwealth Games doubles gold medallist and Martin Knight the silver medallist in mixed doubles in Delhi will represent their respective clubs in Mitchell Cup and Cousins Shield.

Other top players such as multi-national singles title winner, Kashif Suja, international player Campbell Grayson, top juniors Paul Coll and Lance Beddos and a number of former international players will all be competing as well for their clubs.

Even former world No3 Stu Davenport, a big name in the sport worldwide in the 1980’s is listed to turn out for the Khandallah club out of Wellington.

This year will be one of the largest turnout of teams in the men’s Cousins Shield with 15 clubs represented. There are six in the women’s Mitchell Cup which includes a change in format for the women from four singles clashes to five.

Cousins Shield was first played in 1947 when it was won by Palmerston North. The defending champions are Remuera. The Mitchell Cup was first played in 1958 and has been dominated by Remuera of late with 14 of the past 17 years being won by the central Auckland club. The defending women’s champions are the North Shore, however Remuera may well consider themselves favourites this year despite being seeded second behind North Shore.

“It’s a great effort to get that number of teams in the men’s Cousins Shield and it’s encouraging to have a number of teams from the Wellington region as well as a club from Marlborough too. There’s a lot of talent in the event this year and it’s a great opportunity for people to watch some of the world’s and New Zealand’s best, including Jaclyn Hawkes. This competition brings together a large number of squash players into one venue and is something for the sport to build on. Herne Bay is a quality, modern facility which will make a very good host for the Cousins Shield and Mitchell Cup,” says Squash NZ CEO, Jim O’Grady.

Hawkes will lead the strong Remuera women’s team, while Mitchell Park(Hutt Valley) have New Zealand international Tamsyn Leevey and the winner of the 2011 national junior title Rebecca Barnett. The home side have 13-year-old Ellie Epke as their top player. Epke has recently done well in tournaments in Malaysia and was a finalist at the junior national champs.

Knight is the number one at North Shore, the Henderson club has Coll and Beddos and Marlborough are led by Josh King. Hosts Herne Bay have Campbell Grayson who recently won an event in Brazil, whereas Remuera men’s top player Shuja won the South Australian Open last weekend.

Cousins Shield Clubs (men’s):
Herne Bay, North Shore, Remuera, Henderson, Eden Epsom, Manurewa, Panmure, Khandallah, Marlborough, Ti Street Rotorua, Thorndon, Hamilton, Mitchell Park(Hutt Valley), Squash Gym (Palmerston North), Squash Gym Development (Palmerston North)
Mitchell Cup Clubs(women’s):
North Shore, Remuera, Hamilton, Tauranga, Herne Bay, Mitchell Park.

Play starts Friday 22 June at 11am followed by 3pm and 6pm sessions.
Saturday 23 June 8am, midday, 3pm.
Sunday 24 June, 9am. Finals from 1.30pm.
All matches held at the Herne Bay Rackets Club, West End Road, Herne Bay.