Goulburn Valley Squash Club gears up to host Shepparton International

The presence of world class players at this weekend's 2016 Shepparton International is sure to provide a welcome boost to squash in the Goulburn Valley region according to Goulburn Valley Squash Club President, Damian Maidment.

The event, which is being hosted by the GV Squash Club for a third year, has continued to go from strength-to-strength since the inaugural tournament in 2014.

With a strong mix of PSA Men's World Tour players and local stars competing in the event, Maidment said spectators would be treated to a high-quality exhibition of squash.

“We’re really excited that an international event is here in Shepparton,” Maidment said.

“It’s something that the club started two years ago and this is our third year, so we’re extremely proud and honoured to have international players of that calibre and standard at our club, it's fantastic.”

To capitalise on the momentum generated for the sport in the region as a result of the tournament, Maidment has called on the services of former and contemporary squash stars to help get people involved in the game.

“We currently have just shy of 100 club members (at Goulburn Valley Squash Club) overall, and casual hitters are obviously extra (numbers) again,” Maidment said.

“We’d love to build on it and expand on it, because to get into the sport itself is reasonably easy, however the exposure that we get is not quite as strong as the following for AFL footy, soccer and netball and that sort of stuff, so if we could build it up and give it more exposure to the general public, potentially more people will walk through the doors and pick up a racquet.

“Myself personally, I’ve been fortunate to billet the winning member for the last year or so, so part of the deal that I’ve set up with the free accomodation is that they give our juniors a bit of a hit.

“I currently have Geoff Hunt here, who is an absolute legend of the sport overall, and I’ve been talking to him to see if I can have his services for 15 minutes with our juniors as well, so hopefully it will all come off.

“These sort of events in country Victoria are vital for our club, not only for survival, but vital for the sport as a whole."

Along with the Open event, the Shepparton International will also see a strong representation of players from across regional Victoria take part in the tournament's graded events, with 70 entries received.

Among those 70 entries, Maidment said he expected a solid contingent of local players from the Shepparton region to feature in the event.

“At this stage we’re looking at fairly strong numbers,” Maidment said.

"We’re looking at about 15 (graded entries) up on last year, which is a great result for us considering we draw on other regional towns.

“From a qualifying point of view, we have eight to ten young fellas competing in the qualifying event. From that, those people in particular have registered for the graded event, so coinciding with those existing eight to ten we’d have another ten players competing in the graded events, so it’s fantastic.”

The 2016 Shepparton International will kick off with an official launch in the Maude Street Mall, Shepparton on Thursday August 18 at 12:30pm, with local council representatives and PSA World Tour players to be in attendance.

A blow up squash court with demonstrations from local GV Squash Club members will also be available for the general public to enjoy a hit of squash in a relaxed and non-competitive environment.

The on-court action will then get underway at the Goulburn Valley Squash Club (83 Archer Street, Shepparton) on Thursday night from 6pm, with the main draw qualification matches. Main draw competition will commence on Friday August 19 with two rounds of play commencing at 10am and 6pm, two rounds on Saturday August 20 at 10am and 5pm, and the finals on Sunday August 21 from 3.45pm.

Entry throughout the tournament is free and spectators are welcome.

For draws and results from the 2016 Shepparton International, click here.