It’s back! The Edmonton Junior Squash Event #9 will take place at the Edmonton Squash Club on Sunday, March 4th from 8:30 am – 4 pm. The event is open to all levels of players ages 6-18 years.
We are happy to have “Beginners” of all ages attend, and will also accept 5-year old’s as well. Our requirements are that they must be able to hit the ball to themselves continuously more than 6 times; plus, also be able to rally with another child of similar age and ability; understand and/or be prepared to learn the basic rules of squash, and most importantly be aware of the safety issues in squash so that their swing is not a danger to other players.
Free Clinic for Beginner Players
Julie Multamaki will be offering a free introductory clinic to all “beginner-level” registrants, on Sunday, February 25th, 2018 from 10:30 am-12:00 pm (noon), at the Edmonton Squash Club (ESC). The ESC entrance fee will also be free for non-members participating in this clinic. I will cover some basic instruction, safety and rules, and also find the most appropriate ball for your child to play with. The children will also get some match play experience with other children. Attendance at this clinic is important in helping me place your child in a suitable division for their ability level so that their event experience is a positive one. Please indicate on the entry form if they will be attending the free clinic.
EJSE#9 Cost
The cost of the event is $20 per child. All players will receive a grab bag, lunch ticket for 2 slices of pizza, Popsicle, pop/juice, 3 matches, and every player will go home with a prize. Again, we have loads of racquets and bag prizes from Manta this season, as well as other great prizes and gift cards!
Playing Levels
Prior to the event, Julie will discuss playing levels (and appropriate squash balls for their match play level) with the various coaches, and then place players in divisions based on their ability level. If they are not currently in a junior program at one of the 2 city clubs, then it may be beneficial for them to attend the free clinic mentioned above. As a result, some divisions may be mixed (boys and girls in the same division) and some masingle-sexe sex divisions.
Draws & Scoring
Draws will be round robins and each child will be guaranteed 3 matches. For most divisions, scoring will be PARS to 11 points, and matches will be “Best of 3 games”.
Refereeing and Marking
Every child will be required to referee and/or mark immediately after each match that they play. For the younger and beginner players, we will have adults there to help them with the lets & stroke calls, and/or supervise them with this task of marking the score on the scoresheet. It is expected that by the end of the event, that each child will learn to call out the ongoing game score (to the players on the court); and/or to be able to write the scores down on the scoresheet, as the match ensues.
Equipment
Eyeguards are mandatory for all junior players, so should your child not have eyeguards or their own racquet please let me know (on their entry form) so that we can have them available for use on the day.
Appropriate Squash Ball
Please be cognizant of checking-off the most appropriate squash ball for your child’s ability level. If your younger, beginner child plays with a double-yellow dot with their adult parent, then most likely they will need to play with a different ball with another child. We want to make sure that the younger children are having lengthy rallies, rather than “one-shot wonder” rallies. It is not a crime to play with a modified ball! The more times your child hits the ball in a rally, the better they will get. If you have any questions about what ball your child should be using with other children, then please discuss this with your child’s squash coach (or myself) prior to completing the registration form.
Scheduling Conflicts
If your child is involved in another activity on the 4th that takes them away from the event for a few hours, but still wants to be involved in our event, then please discuss with Julie so that she can see if I can make the schedule work for them. As previously mentioned, that depending on the number of registrations the event may go past 3 pm. If this is an issue, please state this on their entry form, so that I am fully aware of all conflicts before I start the draw.
Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist in running the event. If you or other family members are able to volunteer for one of our 3-hour shifts throughout the event, then please also let me know so that I can pass your name onto our volunteer coordinator.
Registration
The registration deadline is: Monday, February 26th, 2018 at 12:00 pm (noon) – as I have to collect the entries from each club; and then need time to consult with respective squash pros regarding the appropriate divisions.
The late registration fee is $25 for any entry received after the deadline (provided that there is still space in the event), before the draws are started.
RG members can leave their completed forms and payment with either Pete or Adrian, while ESC members can leave their completed forms and payment with the front desk staff.
If you are not a member of either club, then you can still leave the entry forms with the above-mentioned pros; or you can email the registration forms to me at edmontonjrsquashevents@gmail.
I will confirm each registration as I receive it, so if you do not get a response from me please resend the registration again.
Draws
Draws will be released on Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 – after 5 pm. As soon as draws are finished Julie will send them out to each registrant, and to the respective squash professionals.
Sponsorship
As always, we are looking for financial support for these great events. New to this season, we are also looking for sponsorship in the form of gift cards – valued from $20-$50 that we can use for prizes for the 2 events. Based on the results of our survey from previous events, the more popular gift cards for kids in all age groups include Indigo/Chapters; I-Tunes; Lulu Lemon; X-Box; Google Play; Sportchek; Sweet Spot; or Cineplex-Odeon Movie Passes. If your business is willing to donate any amount to help us out we would be greatly appreciated. Cheque payments can be made out to EWSS, 11243 – 125 St, Edmonton, T5M 0M6; or gift cards can be left with the squash pros at either RG or ESC. Please let me know if you are making any donations so that I can include your name on our Thank-You posters.
If you have any questions whatsoever, about the event, or if you prefer the entry form in a fillable word document, then please do not hesitate to contact me by email at edmontonjrsquashevents@gmail.
