We were spoilt with write ups this year! Dean Williams made an epic return and shared his thoughts. One of his opponents Jason Mennell from Bunbury shared his; as well as the customary summary from Dampier Clubby Minesy (Daniel Mines).
Dean’s Diary – ‘Dampier Diary’ special edition
Thanks Dean Williams!
It has taken 43 years and a few days but I finally made it back to Dampier to celebrate the 43rd year when a very young Chris Dittmar and I opened the glass backed court 3. The memories of that time came flooding back and I have to thank The Dampier Squash Club (especially President Cal Heath) for making it happen.
I managed to get a recorded message from Chris which was played to the crowd and he still vividly remembers the time we had especially with the Cox and Vollprecht families when we went fishing out on West Lewis Hilton Island, footy in the street and far too much hospitality!!
When I was talking to Cal about going up to Dampier, I stupidly said that I had been doing a bit of coaching and had a dream that I might be able to get fit enough to enter the World Masters in 2026 and I agreed to try and play in one of the teams. In hindsight it was a bridge too far as by Sunday afternoon I was done and dusted. But it was great fun and no permanent damage was done. To have waited over 24 years to hear that markers call again of “best of 5 games, love all …PLAY” was quite a nervous moment not knowing how I would go. Thank you to my 4 opponents for being very nice …not quite nice enough to let me have a win but they were all great sports.
The FENACLNG Team tournament is unique as its one of the best squash events I have ever been to due to the wonderful atmosphere of the courts being at one with the social areas. To walk outside from playing and see people enjoying themselves around a BBQ or the bar or just getting ready to play is so unusual and wonderful. Plus of course the fact that many players were camping within 200m from the courts made it so special.
Also, the fact that every team had a theme, team-shirts, matching outfits and a fantastic attitude on court where, whilst it was very competitive, it was played in a great spirit. Congratulations to the winners and the runner ups as well as to everyone who played. A huge thank you to all the brilliant helpers, the committees, to Karratha for their 3 courts, and a special thanks to Niel Butler for again organizing the draw, the schedule and keeping all the matches flowing.
Finally I think it’s worth mentioning that whilst the squash is what we went for , I think the prestigious table tennis doubles championship played at 1 am on the Monday morning is the title everyone will be going for next year …thanks to my partner Cal , we were victorious in the final against a very weary and tired looking Kane Fasolo and partner who could hardly open their eyes ….well I think they were tired !!!
What a weekend and may it stay the same for ever and ever as we seem to have lost these unique events in pursuit of ranking points, ratings and registrations…. May it never be changed!!!
Thank you, Dampier Squash Club, and to President Cal and if I am still playing, I would love to be back …to defend my Table tennis title.
Dampier 1 v Dampier 2 (Jason Mennell v Dean Williams)
Thanks Jason Mennell!
All eyes are on one person. On the cusp of 70 he looks fit – maybe even handsome still – but is otherwise unremarkable in appearance. Dean Williams might have thinned grey hair with only wisps of the black mop he sported in his youth, but the steely resolve in his eyes confirms his competitive streak still burns bright. Wearing a black and orange Dampier Squash Club shirt, he glides across the court he officially opened during an exhibition match in 1982. The stroke of his racquet is clinical. The crack of the ball as it hits the front wall is crisp.
There are few players who can boast of being a former world No.2. There are fewer still who can lay claim to reaching such lofty heights during an era when Geoff Hunt and Jahangir Khan were at the top of their games. Williams’ return to competitive squash comes with one eye on the World Masters Championships in Perth next year. He has a decorated history, and he has a future goal. He is a player who warrants respect.
There is a lot of interest in the contest. Apart from the fact Williams is back at the club he opened 43 years earlier, he is about to serve for the first time in a competitive match in 25 years. His startled opponent is a country hacker from Bunbury. And although 25 years younger, all delusions of the hacker’s squash prowess begin to dissolve during a nerve-shredding warm-up. It is a sobering moment for Williams’ opponent. The draw has determined him to be the unwitting guinea pig.
With people bustling for position in the grandstand above the court and an excitable chatter filtering through the muggy Dampier air, veteran PSA referee Neil Butler calls for the game to start. With a swish of the racquet, the battle begins. And after a few loose shots from both, it doesn’t take Williams long to make his mark with a cross court drop that sees the ball kiss the front wall before rolling off the side wall. First blood to Williams. The crowd’s appreciation is loud, and it takes a while for the happy chattering to eventually settle in anticipation of the next point.
The FeNaCING Squash Tournament is an instant favourite for anyone that has joined the annual pilgrimage to the balmy port community in Western Australia’s North West. Playing squash is incidental, a masquerade to the unrivalled weekend of country hospitality and an escape from the dreary cold weather lurking to the south. With 93 players, a clutch of supporters and an army of volunteers flocking to the courts for a weekend of high jinks, outlandish team uniforms and lots of laughter, this year’s 36th annual tournament is all too familiar. But unlike previous years, Williams’ special guest appearance means there is heightened interest in the dynamics as they unfold on court – or at least there is in this match.
With the crowd settled, Williams serves from the left and his opponent stays in the rally briefly before hitting the ball into the tin.
“Come on J” encourages a lone voice from the crowd.
Williams’ opponent doesn’t need to look up to know where the encouragement has come from. His wife has sacrificed a weekend and two days annual leave to travel to support her husband and their 11-year-old son in their pursuit of country tournament frivolity. It is familiar territory for her, living out of suitcases, tidying up hotel rooms, separating sweaty squash clothes from clean, and endless errands to the local store to buy all manner of things that were left at home. The 11-year-old son is also watching the match. It is unusual for him to show much interest in his father’s games, particularly when there is a free court next door that he could be taking advantage of. But even he has sensed there is something special about this match.
Williams’ opponent eventually gets on the board, but it is too little too late. Williams takes the first 11-3, and the hacker walks off sheepishly, knowing he has been given a masterclass by someone two months older than his dad. The hacker nevertheless steadies himself and regains his composure to win the next. The final game scores read 11-3, 9-11, 11-8, 2-11, 9-11. A peculiar set of numbers to most, but instantly recognisable to all who play squash. Result: 2-3 in favour of Williams’ opponent.
With the theatrics on court coming to an end, normal formalities resume. The 11-year-old boy continues his hunt for a spare court and the wife returns to her duties of caring for her boys. Everyone else returns to beer and wine and chatting, and the occasional game of squash. Enduring friendships are reinforced and new ones formed. At the celebratory prizegiving dinner on Sunday, the hacker can be heard telling others of his great comeback as he describes how he realised Williams had basked in 30 years of glory on court, and how it was his time to steal some of the limelight.
FeNaCLNG Teams – the Official Write Up
Thanks Minesy!
This year FeNaCLng Squash Tournament 2025 had 93 players representing 18 Clubs. The clubs from all over the state were Blue Gum, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Cambridge, Dampier, Geraldton, Karratha, Katanning, Leschenault, Lords, Mandurah, Mirrabooka, Narrogin, WA Virtual Perth club, Port Hedland, Vic Park and Wickham. We had 4 grades, 5 Teams in A grade, 5 Teams in B grade, 6 Teams in C Grade and 7 Teams in D Grade. The numbers were very similar compared to last year with 95 players last year but we had less A grade teams this year and more D grade teams which is great to see. Great to see some Port Hedland members start to show up again in the squash world.
The Dampier squash club ran the event with a lot of input from multiple members before, during and after the event. These things don’t work without volunteers. The main people behind the scenes were Cal Heath (President), Simon Keogh (Club Captain) , Matt Faux (Treasurer) and Daniel Mines (FeNaCLng Squash Tournament Director).
Our List of Sponsors include Dampier Mermaid Hotel, AOK Caravan Park, Rio Tinto, Sodexo Penny Palms, Bay Village, Cleanaway, Chem Dry, The City of Karratha, Dampier Community Association and The Racquet Shop.
The Winners:
A Grade
Team ‘Sweaty Regretty’
- Heddwyn Brahma
- Dan Jones
- Adam Taylor
- Antony Montgomery
B Grade
Team UnsquasHaBLLe
- Hamish Melvin
- Lee Stone
- Lisa Christou
- Rebecca Herring
C Grade
Team Broome Bad Boys +1
- Glenn Bridgeman
- Phil Donnan
- Rikus Heystek
- Chaz Gardiner
D Grade
Team Austins Angels
- Corina Malatzky
- Lauren Smith
- Kim Duffecy
- Mitchel Wells
Player of the Tournament this year winning a 3 night accommodation voucher for next year’s tournament was Victor Ranieri from the Narrogin Squash Club. He has been a great supporter of country squash for many years all over the state. He had multiple 5 set matches over the weekend and was always in great spirits. A well deserved award.
Another fantastic year for the tournament with lots of fun being had both on and off the courts. Certainly some good times had on Sunday night with the usual ping pong tournament, games and Dancing around the campfire telling yarns.
Can’t wait to see everyone again next year.
Cheers, Minesy
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