The Central Champion of Champions team took out third place overall over the weekend at the National competition in Whangarei. The 12 strong team were unable to retain the title that went to Northland and Auckland tied for 2023. Central players won 3 individual titles in the competition, and three runners up.
The weekends competition was fiercely contested from day one with 5 setters galore from the first round, none more memorable than Khan Duckett who was 2 games down and fighting through the 3rd when he took himself out with a racket handle to the family jewels which sent him to the floor for several minutes. Once play continued he fought back to narrowly lose in the 5th to the eventual D grade winner from Northland.
All the team played amazing squash and did themselves and the district proud, sadly the A grade women's competition was a straight final for Kawaroa Parks Abbie Holmes who took on the daunting task of playing Shelly Kitching representing Northland. Abbie played like a total legend losing in a close 3 setter.
By the end of the competition we had 3 runners up Hana Harding F/J grade, Maraea Buckingham E grade, Abbie Holmes A grade.
Winners taking out titles were Matthew Ratcliffe B grade, Leonie Marshall B grade and Karley Gillum C grade.
On behalf of the team we would like to thank Northland Squash and the great team at the Whangarei Squash Club and special mention to Craig Watson who stepped up and helped coach and drive the team over the 3 days of rain and wind in the not so sunny north.
Champion of Champions is changing in 2024 to the first half of the season so qualifying will be changing keep a look out when the 2024 calendar is released later this year.
