Thanks Tournament Director Roger Campbell!
This year it was WA’s turn to host the Australian Masters Squash Championship. The Championships were played from 2 to 13 September at Squashworld Mirrabooka. The format was changed this year to have a 3-day Individual Championships held over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, followed by the Teams event from Tuesday to Saturday. It was also Australia’s turn to host the Bi-Annual Trans-Tasman Series, which involved three test matches held around the Individual Championships. We therefore ended up with 12 days of intense competition.
We kicked things off with the first two Trans-Tasman Test matches on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 September. Australia came out on top in both tests 11 matches to 3, then 10 matches to 4, although a number of the matches were very close. The matches were streamed through Squash WA’s YouTube channel and can be watched using the links on the championships website. The third test was played on the Monday following the Individual Championships and while Australia was again victorious by 8 matches to 6, a number of close matches went to 5 sets. This meant Australia won back the Vic Belsham Shield.
“Australia came out on top in both tests 11 matches to 3, then 10 matches to 4, although a number of the matches were very close.”
The Individual Championships started on Friday 5 September and with over 600 matches over 3 days, the courts were full at all times and competitors were required to play until 8:30 on the Friday night. There were a number of overseas players from New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. There were over 320 players with good draws in most Open age groups. Titles were won by players from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. There was an informal function on the Sunday evening at Mirrabooka with about 150 people staying to celebrate, and catch up with old friends and make new ones.
The Teams event ran from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 September. There were about 330 players in 109 teams playing in 19 Divisions. We were able to fit all the matches into Squashworld Mirrabooka with one court free at all time slots. There were a number of very serious matches between old acquaintances followed by some serious catch-ups after.
An event like this doesn’t come together without a lot of people doing a LOT of work. There were the usual helpers who always generously give their time, however there were also a number of new people who volunteered to help, and did anything they were asked. Thank you very much – you helped make this a very successful event.
“The Championships wound up with a Dinner Dance attended by roughly 350 players and supporters.”
The Championships wound up with a Dinner Dance attended by 350 players and supporters at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Saturday Night. The Band ‘Dirty Little Secret’, played a great range of music that had the dance floor full from the time they started playing.
Many of the players have attended a great deal of championship with badges presented for up to 40 years attendance.
I would like to thank our sponsors: The City of Stirling, WA State Government, Baileys, ECG Engineering, 74 Islands, and Fremantle Steel Group. Without sponsors it wouldn’t be possible to run an event of this size. Costs, especially relating to functions, continue to increase, so sponsor support lets us keep prices as reasonable as possible.
Mirrabooka Squash Club’s Junior Sub-committee provided a canteen over the full 12 days to keep everyone fueled. I think the bacon and egg rolls on the weekend mornings were a hit.
“We had about 320 players in the Individuals and over 340 players in 19 Divisions in the Teams event.”
Finally, to the players and supporters, THANK YOU to those who came from interstate, and to the WA players that joined in. We had about 320 players in the Individuals and over 340 players in 19 Divisions in the Teams event. We are lucky to have Squashworld Mirrabooka with 14 glass-back courts, which enabled us to run the whole event at one venue which helps to create an amazing atmosphere. Kane, Simmo and Tyron do a fantastic job running the centre and are a Tournament Director’s dream.
Visit the official tournament website to access results, photos, and much more.
https://amsc.australianmasterssquash.com.au/2025-home/
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