Event Round Up Men's State 2 & Below Winner Leigh O'Connell Runner Up Michael Bourke 2010 Victorian Grand Prix Graded Circuit Men's A Grade Winner Greg Murphy The thin red line Champions Runner Up Bill Doherty VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2011 Men's B Grade Winner Rohan McGregor RACQUETBALL Men's C Grade Winner Jack Paine Squash Vic Office: Open Men Winner Cameron White Women's State 1 & Below Winners Tegan Doherty and Anne Fordham T: 9682 2199 How do you make that choice: sportswomen and pregnancy? Runner Up Steve Andrewartha F: 9682 2399 Women's A Grade Winner Libby Belton E: [email protected] By Jen Gabler (reprinted with permission from US Squash Magazine, Nov 2010) Open Women Winner Sarah Fitz‐Gerald Squash GP Champions will be presented with their awards at the 2011 Nobody ever said that life as a working mum is easy, Executive Director A Grade Winner Charlie Stevenson Mountain District Open at Genesis Wantirna on Sunday 30 January Fiona Young and many women agonize over the decision of when, Runner Up Michael Barclay or if, they should go back to work after having their High Performance Manager baby. But imagine if deciding to have a family meant B Grade Winner Jon Perry Richard Cagliarini quitting your job right at the peak of your career, Runner Up Adam Lander 2010 National Racquetball Grand Prix knowing that the level you once achieved might have, Graded Circuit Champions Development Coordinator as a result, become unattainable. That is the very real C Grade Winner Matthew Wealands Leigh Sands scenario facing many women who choose to combine Open Men Winner Cameron White having a family with their chosen career in the world of Runner Up Scott Wealands professional sport. Runner Up Steve Andrewartha

D Grade Winner John Sentry When you think about sportswomen who have Open successfully trodden this path, there may be one Runner Up Elisha Mitchell Women Winner Sarah Fitz‐ Gerald particular high profile example who springs to mind— Runner Up Leonie Cann E Grade Winner Elaine Broadway former World No. 1 Belgian tennis player, Kim Clijsters.

F Grade Winner Jack Stinson A‐Grade Winner Sam Abishara (SA) After two years away from the world tennis tour,

during which time she married American basketball Vic Racquetball GP Champions will be presented with their Runner Up Charlie Stevenson player Brian Lynch and gave birth to a baby girl, Jada, awards at the 2011 at Wangaratta on Sunday You quit your job for a while, and there is no B‐Grade Winner Jon Perry Clijsters completed a remarkable comeback by winning 10 April maternity leave for professional sportswomen. Runner Up Jason Hawkins her second US Open title as a wildcard in September Most working women can also remain in their 2009. Unbelievably this was only her third competitive C‐Grade Winner Matt Wealands jobs up to seven or eight months pregnant tournament back since the birth. However, Clijsters is whereas most professional sportswomen would Runner Up Scott Wealands not the only example of professional sportswomen have to stop paid competition by the third D‐Grade Winner John Sentry who have been inspired to further glory after month. “For me, unfortunately, severe morning childbirth. British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe won E‐Grade Winner Elaine Broadway sickness meant it was the seventh week.” the New York marathon just 11 months after giving F‐Grade Winner Jack Stinson birth to her first child in 2007. Now pregnant with her For many, the prospect of eight months unpaid Runner Up Glenyce Roy second child, Radcliffe has openly admitted that her leave before a baby is even due to arrive would sights are still firmly set on winning gold in the 2012 be worrying enough but, as Natalie admitted, she National Racquetball GP Champions will be presented with London Olympics. Even more remarkable than had always planned on taking a career break, their awards at the 2011 Australian Open at Wangaratta on Radcliffe, golfer Catriona Matthew became the first fully supported by her husband. “This wasn’t the Sunday 10 April Scottish woman to win a golfing major when she won first time we had planned on having a family. It the British Open, the holy grail of golf, only 10 weeks was actually in 2006—a week before the Inaugural 24 Hour Mega Squash Event—Playing to support people living with MS after giving birth to her second child. when we got married.

“Then I won three Gold medals at the Common‐ ‘Squash’ around the clock at the inaugural Squash Vic 24 Hour Mega Squash on Saturday 5 These three athletes are undoubtedly fine examples for wealths and so we discussed it and thought that I and Sunday 6 February, 2011 at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre squash courts in any woman who aspires to combine a career with might as well keep playing while I was still play‐ support of people living with MS. MS Australia and Squash Vic invite the local community to starting a family. However, they are also highly paid, ing well and enjoying it.” So, having fallen preg‐ take up the challenge and help raise $20,000 for people living with Multiple Sclerosis. Teams high profile sports stars who can afford the luxury of www.squashvic.com.au nant shortly before making the 2009 World Open of up to 15 members can participate by playing squash or racquetball in relay over 24 hours either around the clock childcare or paying for their final, what are Natalie’s plans for the future now and by fundraising. Each team must have a player on court at all times during the 24 hour families to accompany them on their world travels. that she is back on the tour? “ event and participants of all abilities are welcome. While nobody is claiming that this is the determining (cont’d on page 3) factor in their success, it can certainly help when it The MSAC/Squash Vic 24 Hour Mega Squash Event is set to be a fun team challenge and a comes to the pursuit of their sporting ambitions. So great experience for all participants involved. Said event ambassador and squash legend, how easy can it be for those equally successful Sarah Fitz‐Gerald, ‘this is a great chance for the locals to be involved in a fun and evolving sportswomen away from the limelight who choose to community fundraising activity and squash is excited to be a part of the MS Mega event www.facebook.com/squashvic juggle their career aspirations? calendar.’ Natalie Grinham is a name few outside the sport of Money raised from the 24 Hour Mega Squash event will support Financial Assistance squash would recognize, but as a triple Commonwealth Programs and the MS Australia Go For Gold Scholarship Program to the direct benefit of Games gold medallist, four time World Open Finalist people living with MS. The Go for Gold Scholarships help people living with MS to aspire to and World No. 2, this Aussie‐turned‐Dutch lady has a their best and live out a lifelong dream. record almost as formidable as her more illustrious Participants are encouraged to raise more than just a sweat at the 24 Hour Mega Squash counterparts. Having had her first child at the age of event and show their support for over 20,000 Australians living with MS. Whether it is for fun, www.youtube.com/squashvic1 32, Natalie was fully aware of the sacrifices she would the challenge or simply to support a great cause, don’t miss the chance to be part of the have to make. “Unfortunately, for sportswomen who INAUGURAL 24 Hour Mega Squash event at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre. want to start a family you have to make a choice: either Further details and registration online at www.squashvic.com.au Please note: ‐ you can enter put your career on hold or stop it completely,” she said. individually or as a group if you don’t have a complete team and we will find you a team! “If you choose to put your career on hold it means that THE THIN RED LINE PAGE 2 PAGE 3 Funding for Western District Squash Squash Vic and the Horsham Squash Club were successful recently in Player Pathways 2011 securing funding under the Department of Sport & Recreation’s Country Action Grant scheme. The funding will enable a number of TRAINING PATHWAY COMPETITION REPRESENTATIVE coaching and referee workshops to be conducted in the Horsham, Hamilton and Warrnambool areas. For further details of the National Team 2011 player pathway see Squash Vic Academy PSA / WISPA International Circuit Left: Justin Luciani and Kira Davies from Horsham squash with Hugh the Squash Vic website National Junior Team Delahunty, Minister for Sport and Recreation. High Performance/Player Grand Prix Tournament Circuit Pathways Targeted Athlete Program (TAP) National Junior Age Championships State Senior Team Anthony Hill Coaching Camps Talent Development Squad (TDS) State Pennant Squash Vic organised two coaching camps in January 2011 at the State Junior Team Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre featuring guest coach Regional Academy (Gippsland) In‐House Competition (Snr) Anthony Hill. Anthony, a Victorian and former PSA player (highest ranking 5 in the world), is currently living in Egypt and made a special trip to Melbourne to conduct the camps. He is

Squash Vic Shadow Squad working with the top junior players in Cairo and has been In‐House Competition (Snr) Club Team involved with Ramy Ashour, the current world no 2.

Squash Vic Graded Tournaments School “I thoroughly enjoyed the camps and look forward to feedback Junior Pennant Coaching Days from the kids and seeing how they go during the year. They were a great group, they really put their heads down and trained hard. Club Team They can all go on and be good squash players—there is some Club / Venue Junior In‐House Competition promising talent there.” School The camps were limited to a maximum of 18 participants and Applications for coach and player positions with the Squash Vic Academy and Targeted attracted players from around Australia as well as Victoria. Athlete Program closed last December. Coaches and players for 2011 squads are: Anthony intends to come back to Melbourne next year and Squash Vic Academy (SVA) ‐Melody Francis, Rex Hedrick, Josh Cardwell, Selena hopefully bring a couple of the top Egyptian juniors with him. Shaikh, Luke Sims and Nicole Stoneham. Coaches ‐Sarah Fitz‐Gerald, Tim Batty and Cameron White. How do you make that choice: sportswomen and Targeted Athlete Program (TAP) ‐ Players to be announced end of January. Coaches ‐ pregnancy? ... cont’d from page 1 Sarah Fitz‐Gerald, Cameron White, Tim Batty, Lorraine Howell, Brad Kemp and Marc O’Brien. Obviously I’d love to come back to the level I was before I stopped, and I do Talent development Squad (TDS) ‐ Players to be selected following first open squad believe it is possible if everything goes well.” That is something Dr Ellen and information session on February 16. Coaches ‐ Sarah Fitz‐Gerald, Cameron White, Hamborg‐Petersen, medical advisor to the Women’s International Squash Tim Batty, Lorraine Howell, Brad Kemp, Marc O’Brien, Mark Stoneham, Kyle Players Association, also agrees with. “The better shape you are in before and Blanchard, Greg Paine and Richard Cagliarini. during your pregnancy, the faster you can get back after,” she said. “A Squash Vic Shadow Squad—coaching is available in conjunction with all TAP/TDS woman’s hormonal level comes back to normal within weeks of giving birth. sessions for any interested juniors. Bookings should be made online prior to each There can be physiological problems linked to difficulties during the delivery session and there are discounts for attending both the coaching and following graded and there is often pelvic pain afterwards due to ligament soreness. “At the tournament. Coaches—Terry Little and Leigh Sands. end of the day, from a medical perspective, provided there were no serious complications, a professional sportswoman should be able to return to the NOTE: a player pathway information session will be held for parents, coaches and same level or better after childbirth.” players as part of the first open training on February 16. Contact Squash Vic 9682 2199 for details. All welcome. In 2011, Tommy Berden (Natalie’s husband and a full‐time squash promoter) Anthony Hill Squash Camps is organizing the women’s and men’s World Open in Rotterdam and Natalie has stated that she is targeting that major title— one of the few to elude her. Melody Francis: Player’s view of the 2010 Commonwealth Games “My goal is to do well there and hopefully get my first World Open title after being runner up four times. It’s not that I’d be that upset if it didn’t happen, In October I went to the Commonwealth Games as the non‐playing reserve. I was because I am happy with the career I’ve had up until now, but I love the game preparing to play in the singles event due to Donna Urquhart’s recurring injury. so much and am so competitive, it’s not time for me to let it go just yet.” However, she managed to get it sorted in time to play, which meant that I was on the At the age of 32, many squash players are contemplating their forthcoming bench for the 2 weeks. I got to watch some fantastic squash and experience the retirement, so how much longer does Natalie see herself competing electrifying atmosphere that the enthusiastic Indian crowds generated. professionally? “I believe I’m still young enough to play at a high standard,” It was a great experience filled with plenty of fun times and some very emotional she said. “If you look at other female players, (former World matches. The village was massive and it was very surreal to walk around and see all the No. 2) was still top‐10 at the age of 40 and Sarah Fitz‐Gerald (former World people who I would normally only see on TV in the flesh. The squash centre was No. 1) retired at 35 while she was still so dominant at the top of the game. So age for me is not a question; I think it’s going to be when I don’t enjoy it absolutely amazing, the show court in particular was spectacular. anymore that I’ll stop.” It is not that Natalie is under any illusions about how Overall, I am incredibly proud to have been selected in the Australian team and cannot difficult her comeback is likely to be, but for somebody who continued to wait to represent Australia at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. build cupboards and drawers for the new baby room right up to her due date, you get the feeling that whatever happens she will take it all in her stride. In fact, it could be that this down‐to‐earth successful sportswoman who says that, ‘if you say, no you can’t do that, I’ll prove that actually I can and will,’ THE THIN RED LINE may well be an ideal future role model for working mums.