The Bexley Open 2020 - PSA action returns to Kent!

The Bexley Open 2020, held on the 19^th & 20^th of December 2020 at Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club, will be the first Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournament to be run in Kent since the UK national lockdown in March 2020.

The event, being run by newly appointed Kent Head Coach, Ben Ford, will feature a 16 player men’s and women’s draw and is a registered PSA Challenger 3 event.

The tournament, created by Ford as a means to get a series of lower PSA ranked players back on court competing has been well received by local donors and companies who have come together to help raise funds for the tournament costs and prize money fund. Many of these players have not competed in an event since pre-lockdown in March and this is hopefully the first of many events to follow that are targeted at the lower-ranked bracket of players, helping them to earn much-needed ranking points, prize money and match practice.

Kent’s top two

Kent Squash & Racketball Association are pleased to announce the formation of a new Kent Squash Development Team.

Following a round of interviews for the positions of Director of Sport, Head Coach and Development officer we can confirm that these positions have been filled by:

Baz Hodson - Director of Sport

Ben Ford - Head Coach

Steve Franks - Development Officer

We would like to congratulate all three candidates on their appointment and look forward to the positive changes they will bring to the development of squash in Kent.

Baz Hodson will be responsible for coordinating and managing work of the Head Coach and Development Officer and reporting back to the Kent SRA Committee on the progress of the Kent Squash development program strategy & plan. He will also oversee culture, values and behaviours of the leadership team and manage/develop relationships with key Kent SRA stakeholders, club chairmans and any Kent leisure facility representatives.

Ben Ford will be responsible for Coachi

CM Stringers are pleased to announce their support for The Bexley Open PSA Satellite event being organised by Ben Ford at Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club next month with the aim to get lower ranked professional squash players back on court earning valuable ranking points and prize money. Unisex T-Shirts and Ladies Vests of the event are available with profits going towards the prize fund to top up our sponsorship pledge :)

They are available to order directly from our new web site and can be posted directly to you.

The can be ordered directly at: https:www.cmstringers.com/bexley

It probably comes as no surprise to most, but just to confirm - England Squash has issued guidance to squash clubs, venues and coaches following the UK Government’s proposal to introduce a four-week national lockdown. Squash clubs and venues should prepare to close from this Thursday, 5 November to Wednesday, 2 December inclusive. These lockdown measures are dependent upon a House of Commons vote this Wednesday, 4 November and should it pass, squash clubs and venues are likely to be ordered to close from Thursday. We will continue to seek advice from Sport England, DCMS and other partners, and will share more news on Wednesday with guidance on the actions that clubs/venues should take.

Kent Squash, following consultation with England Squash and on reviewing our pathway forward, are pleased to advertise for three paid consultancy roles, to enhance the delivery of squash within Kent for the remainder of 2020 and 2021.

The three team roles are: Director of Sport, Development Officer & Head Coach

If you think you can be an asset to Kent Squash, in the first instance please reply with your interest to the Kent SRA Secretary, Gloria Riley, by email to; gloriaalana@outlook.com

Details of the roles and job descriptions can be found in the document below:

As the 2019/2020 Winter leagues were not completed and it appears there won't be any opportunity to do so this year, we have determined the League Winners based on the latest positions as follows: 

WINNERS

 Div 1      Dulwich 1

Div 2      Tunbridge Wells SRC 2

Div 3      Beckenham 2

Div 4      Park Langley 3

Div 5      Tunbridge Wells SRC 4

Div 6      Poultwood 3

The other relegation and promotion positions were almost decided, but will be adjudicated as and when the time comes – and it will much depend on which clubs are able to participate. 

We have also decided to abandon the Cup competitions for this year.

With luck we can resume normal activity in time for some inter-club play in the near future.

Through lockdown the Kent Junior Coaching team have been working together to re-format the Kent Junior Programme.

Although the existing one had been proven strong by the successes of the Kent Junior teams over the last 7 years, the team are constantly looking for ways to develop our juniors standard from grassroots to high performer.

On Sunday 20th September at the Mote and Rodmersham squash clubs the new skill groups met for the first time. The weekend attracted 48 juniors which was no mean feat as confidence levels are still low after lockdown. 

The Kent coaching team of Dinesh Bansal, Martin Clark, Steve Franks, Tom May , Tim Richards , Allam Sollimann and Zeb Young planned the sessions well and challenged the juniors provoking positive comments from parents since then.

One of the successes of the day was seeing three of our older girls electing to train with the boys groups to take on the physical challenge. Obviously they overcame this challenge as they finished top of their respectiv

This is the latest clubs and coaches guidance from England Squash as of 2nd September:

https://www.englandsquash.com/back-to-squash/guidance?utm_source=Return+to+Play&utm_campaign=8f7f88b6c6-RETURN_TO_PLAY_V3_GUIDANCE&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fb6756f380-8f7f88b6c6-53400266

Latest update from England Squash on 25th August on a phased return of play.

https://www.englandsquash.com/back-to-squash/return-to-play-phases

Dear Club Chair/Representative

The AGM this year will be online via Zoom on Wednesday 1st July starting at 19:30. To join use meet ID - 388 148 5407

Please can everyone take prior time over next fortnight to read all the reports and documents via this link:

https://www.kentsra.co.uk/home-articles/kent-sra-2020-agm-reports-documents

The information provided within these will form the basis of the agenda as follows:

1. Apologies
2. AGM minutes 2019 - any noted amends and approval
3. Chairman Report
4. Treasurer Report
5. Junior Report
6. Election of Trustees & Officers
7. League & Cup Competitions:
   • vote on 2019/20 league extension to 30th Sept.
   • vote on extending cup competitions to 8th December.
   • vote on updated league rules
8. Covid-19 Update - A phased reopening
9. New Website
10. A.O.B

I am very keen to meet more representatives from across the county, so I urge all clubs to someone to represent and be a valued voice in taking the sport forward in our county.

If you have any further queries do not hesitate t

This year's AGM will be held on Wednesday the 1st of July 2020. Below are reports and documents related to the AGM from the Chairman, Treasurer, Junior Development Officer and Proposed Rules Updates for the leagues and Cups.

With another three week restrictions now in place it’s important for us all to work together and focus upon postivity and creativity via all digital means possible. Here is the latest from a number of national and county video meetings:

ENGLAND SQUASH

Some ideas that arose and were discussed at the ES county chair meeting:

• 30 minute sessions for the juniors in the county – to this extent Nick Peel, Maidstone is running regular live Zoom sessions for juniors.
• Using the downtime to develop a cohesive strategy for the coming year and season.
• Online coaching sessions for a fee.
• Coaches offering vouchers to be redeemed post-lockdown interspersed between paid for sessions
• Social media posts – live interviews; video fitness sessions; video tricks; online quiz, fun facts, etc.
• Ensure all clubs are keeping in touch with their members.
• Possibility for clubs to use the time to clean down and sanitise in preparation for the return of play?

Useful pro player, club challenges and informative lin

What about business rates and grant support?

Please note that the following information refers to England only. Business rates are devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and there may be different arrangements in each country.

In recognition of the likely impact of Covid-19, the Budget introduced temporary 100% business rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors – including gyms and sports clubs – for 2020/21 for businesses with certain rateable values.

In addition, the Budget provided that organisations eligible for Small Business Rate Relief would receive a £3,000 grant.

The Chancellor’s speech on 17 March extended this temporary 100% business rates relief to all businesses in these sectors, regardless of their rateable value.

This means all businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will receive 100% business rates relief for 2020/21. The guidance issued to local authorities regarding how to apply this relief has been published by the gover

Posted by John Greenwood

Posted By John Greenwood

Posted By John Greenwood

The Colin Payne Kent Open, staged in memory of a former Kent squash champion, takes place at Tunbridge Wells Squash Club this week.

Sponsored by Select Gaming and a number of local companies, the event starts on Thursday and boasts a truly international flavour. Professionals from Australia, Mexico, Portugal, Belgium and the Czech Republic will be competing alongside a number of rising English stars for prize money and vital ranking points on the PSA Challenger Tour.

Attached: Kent Open preview, background and schedule, plus some player pics.

Please get in touch if you need any more information.

Best wishes,

Alan.

Tel: 44-1622 672518
Mobile: 44-7971 639 829
Email: alan@squashmad.com

Posted By John Greenwood

The Colin Payne Kent Open sponsored by Select Gaming takes place at Tunbridge Wells Squash Club from Thursday January 10th to Saturday January 12th.

Top four seeds:

1: Charlie Lee (England)
2: Rui Soares (Portugal)
3: Jan Van Den Herrewegen (Belgium)
4: Leonel Cardenas (Mexico)

We also have a Women’s Challenge match on Finals Day featuring rising stars Elise Lazarus and Jaz Hutton.

Earlier on the Saturday afternoon we will have a special doubles competition in memory of Tunbridge Wells and Kent squash legend Colin Payne.

RAFFLE:
Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the tournament and we have some wonderful prizes, including a two-night break for two at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells, including bed and breakfast and dinner on one night.

TICKETS:
Viewing space is limited but you can reserve a seat here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-colin-payne-kent-open-squash-tournament-tickets-53805626076?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR0pXY2BWjkoZeEzAUmGIdKTixnaXJmV86xIyDdtiWhoa9FpWh

Posted By John Greenwood

Dear all

I am writing to you as an introduction, as I agreed to undertake the role of KSRA Chair at the last AGM in June. One of my main aims is to improve communications and engage squash clubs under one umbrella within Kent. There’s some excellent work being undertaken both known and unknown, so going forward I feel it’s vitally important to promote all relevant information and success stories within our region. The newsletter is only one part of the jigsaw in starting to share information, as I recall the late Bob Hoskins once said “It’s good to talk”, so let’s try to discuss things in calls, emails, or texts and upmost like each others social media channels because this will inevitably be the next generations preference.

No doubt the database will require updating with relevant contact details, so hopefully this newsletter has arrived to the correct person? If not, could you please email John Greenwood with details of the designated person who shouts loudest a