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This is an introductory article which will hopefully precede
other articles documenting the progress of the US Junior Men’s
Team in their preparation for the 2008 World Junior Championships
held in Switzerland during July/August.
The program for the US Junior Men’s Team begins with
the Can-Am “Battle of the Border” held literally
on the border in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario in late July
at White Oaks Resort. The US and Canadian teams will train
together, play cross-ties and then a full international team
match on Sunday. These matches serve to cement the relationship
between Squash Canada and US Squash while providing valuable
match-play experience. Many thanks go to Mark Sachvie of White
Oaks Resort for his continuing support in organizing these
events.
In late August the squad meets again for the official US
Junior Men’s Team Training Camp held in Wilmington,
DE at the Reflex Squash Club. The aim of this camp is to offer
the highest standard of coaching support and sports science
analysis with a team of specialists that would rival any funded
institution in the world. Damon Leedale-Brown, the former
English Team Trainer and expert on movement, will be conducting
tests and analysis on the squad members.
They are high quality products formed by the US Squash Team
that are offered to the players that will be eligible to play
in the 2008 World Junior Championships. While attendance is
not required, it is recommended for the purposes of forming
a cohesive and synergistic group that will be working together
to ensure success in international competition. It is worth
noting that much effort is put in to ensure the highest quality
product at competitive prices that rival other commercial
camps.
Ideally US Squash would like to provide these services as
part of a funded program, though while squash remains separate
from the Olympic program, funding is private. Many thanks
go to private donors that help fund the participation in the
World Junior Championships, though we are all aware that the
dynamic of squash in the US and elsewhere would change dramatically
if we were to be included in the Olympic program in 2016.
Selection for these events has two criteria – firstly,
participants must be age eligible to play in the 2008 World
Junior Championships. Secondly, initial squad selection is
based upon a players rating, which is based upon a players
performances throughout the season. Once the initial squad
of 12 players are formed they are invited to the aforementioned
events. However actual team selection is based off of the
Selection Series which is comprised of the four BU19 events:
Hunter Lott, US Junior Open, Frank Millet and US Junior Closed.
Points are awarded in these events depending on their placement.
Over four tournaments the players accumulate a point total.
The players who play in all four events get to throw out their
worst score because only the three best results count. While
no selection procedure is perfect, the aim of this policy
is to make team selection objective.
On a personal note, I am delighted to be involved with US
Squash and to coach the US Junior Men’s Team. Since
I first visited the States as a fledgling pro in 1993, the
international squash game has grown exponentially in many
different ways. Court construction has done huge business,
club programs have become more professional and successful,
college squash has become more international, US presence
is being noticed on the world stage, urban programs have brought
squash, education and enrichment to kids that might never
have heard of the sport, and PSA/WISPA events count the US
as one of its most successful stages.
It can be quite intimidating though no less inspiring to
watch the efforts of the US squash community as a whole work
to bring the international squash game to its current level.
The organization, fund-raising, philanthropy, volunteer work
and ability to get things accomplished that I’ve witnessed
is truly astonishing, and is something that I can only aspire
towards. To be a part of this astonishing upwards curve, whether
through my involvement with the University of Rochester or
in helping the future stars of the game achieve their potential,
is a great honor, and one in which I take very seriously.
A former world No.4, Martin Heath is Director of Squash at
the University of Rochester, and can be reached at mheath@sports.rochester.edu
or 585-273-5184.
For updates from the Coaches regarding the selection tour,
squads, training, and up coming team events, please read the
Coaches' Blog.
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