The Bermuda Squash Racquets Association announced DIGICEL is continuing their sponsorship, now in its 6th year, of the Bermuda National Squash Championships 2013. The event is to be held March 16th - 23rd at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association Courts in Devonshire.
“Digicel Bermuda is thrilled to support the Bermuda National Squash Championships for this 6th year. We are looking forward to another fantastic event and are excited to continue to grow the support of squash in Bermuda,” said Digicel Bermuda CEO, Wayne Caines.
Defending Champions Laura Robinson and Patrick Foster have both confirmed their entries in what is shaping up to be the best event in years.
The opportunity to represent Bermuda in this summer’s Island Games has attracted amazingly strong entries in the Men’s, Women’s and Veterans events. This event is the biggest event on the squash calendar and selectors will be watching results closely before announcing the Bermuda squad for the Island Games.
The sport of squash is experiencing a global resurgence and is pushing hard for a place in the 2020 Olympics with famous names like Roger Federer and Sachin Tendulkar backing the bid, Digicel Marketing Manager Shane McDonnell added “Squash is growing in Bermuda, we are glad to be helping the BSRA build for the Island Games this summer and are happy to support squash’s bid to be part of the 2020 Olympics”
Retaining her title in the Ladies Championships is going to be a massive task for Laura Robinson this year not least because a host of usual challengers including Susie Lacey, Denise Kyme, Liz Martin, Jane Chapman and Loan Khalil are in the field, but this year sees the first opportunity for new BSRA Assistant Director and National Coach Runa Reta to compete in the championships. Reta is a former World #29, Canadian National Champion and Pan Am Games Gold Medalist and is firm favorite for a first Ladies Title.
The Men’s and Ladies Veterans are always tough events with great strength in depth providing quality matches in each from the early rounds. 2012 Champions Richard Brewer & Liz Martin will be looking to keep their names on the trophies for another year facing stern opposition from a growing number of talented players. There are two other Brewers on the hunt for Richards title in brothers Jan and Murray. They’ll need to get past John Stout, Andy McComb, Eugene Bothello, Bruce Robinson and a hungry Tony Prentice returning from injury.
In the Ladies event the battle always seems to come down to Denise Kyme and Liz Martin who will be seeded to meet again in this year’s Ladies Veterans final.
The Men’s event looks to be wide open this year with all the strongest players returning from all over the world to compete in this PSA World Tour Event. Six-time defending Champion Patrick Foster will have to overcome last year’s finalist Robert Maycock, Bermuda favorite and 13 time BSRA Club Champion Nick Kyme and former Caribbean Junior Champion Noah Browne. Hot favorite for his first title will be Bermuda’s current World Tour Player Micah Franklin currently ranked at #165. Micah arrives back on Bermuda soil just prior to the start of the event and should be in fantastic form off the back of some major events in North America. Also in contention for a shot at the title will be CourtHouse Teaching Pro Daren Ramsey looking to make his mark in his first Digicel Bermuda National Squash Championships appearance.
It’s shaping up to be a fantastic week of squash. All the matches are free to come and watch at the Devonshire courts. Entries close on Sunday 10th March. Information on draws, schedules and match times can be found at www.bermudasquash.com
|
