President's Letter Squash in Israel: the Maccabiah Games
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www.ma-squash.org Fall 2005 MSRANewsMSRANewsMSRANews Massachusetts Squash Racquets Association Newsletter President’s Squash in Israel: Letter The Maccabiah Games th It is with great pleasure that I write The 17 Maccabiah Games were held over the course of two weeks this past July this, my first letter to the general member- in Israel. Sometimes referred to as “The Jewish Olympics,” the games bring together ship, as MSRA President. I take over the Jewish athletes from all over the world to compete in 30 different sports, including reins of a thriving association, one that squash. This summer’s games had the highest attendance ever, with 7,000 athletes has been nurtured and grown by a steady competing from 52 countries. The United States team had almost 800 members, the stream of volunteers for too many years largest delegation besides Israel. to count. In talking with various other Athletes in the games can compete squash associations around the country, I in various divisions depending on the consider myself lucky to play in Massa- sport, including an open division, a jun- chusetts. We have a plethora of quality ior division, a youth division, and mas- squash facilities, very organized year- ters divisions. The United States sent round league play, a multitude of local tour- squash teams in the Men’s and Women’s naments, a great crop of resident pros and Open, the Boys’ Juniors, Men’s Mas- ters (35+, 45+, 55+), and the Women’s we frequently host national events. On top Masters (35+). Squash players spent the of that, we can boast one of the top junior first week competing in a team event and programs in the country. the second week competing in an indi- Those who have played in other ar- vidual tournament. eas can attest to how advanced our Lillian Rosenthal and Jeannie squash infrastructure is. Somehow Blasberg, two MSRA and Harvard Club though, these factors just don’t seem to players, represented the United States be enough. In my meanderings throughout this summer. Rosenthal graduated from the local squash community, I’m struck by Brown University in June, where she the feeling that we can do even more. I’ve played in the number one position on challenged myself and the other board their squash team for four years. She members to represent you and the game Jeannie Blasberg (l) and Lillian Rosenthal (r) take played on the Women’s Open team in a break between matches at the 2005 Maccabiah well. To not only continue to grow the sport, Israel. Blasberg is an active player in Games. but make it more fun and meaningful with Boston and nationally at the 5.0 level, as well as in her age group. additional tangible benefits to all MSRA The 2005 games were Blasberg’s first international squash experience, and getting members. To that end, I’m pleased to an- acclimated to the heat, the courts, and the environment all proved challenging. “I have nounce our first two initiatives. Over the such respect for players who travel internationally regularly and how quickly they course of the season we will be offering must put all external variables behind them. It was a great learning experience,” said FREE squash clinics for a variety of ability Blasberg. levels. When you see these clinics an- Consistent with the mission of the games, athletes go to Israel for sport, but end nounced, I encourage you to take advan- up having a much broader experience in Israel, coming home with a greater apprecia- tage of them. Also under development is a tion for the country and a strengthened Jewish identity. This was the case with Rosenthal discount program on squash-related items. and Blasberg, who both had the opportunity to do extensive touring while in Israel. We hope to leverage our standing as the Lillian was joined by her parents, Jackie and Dan, for the second half of the games, and country’s largest squash association to the Jeannie’s husband, John, and three children also made the trip to Israel. In addition, benefit of all our members. there was no shortage of socializing with other US teammates and athletes from other countries. I’m also very excited about the new leadership of the USSRA and their willing- For Rosenthal and her teammates, the games started with the disappointing news that only the US and Israel had sent teams to compete in that division. The (Continued on page 3) (Continued on page 2) U.S. Open in Boston: November 4–8. See pages 2–3 for details. U.S. Open Squash Bring Women’s Competition to Boston and Adds Junior Component Grand Slam-Style Event Combines World-Class Play Under One Roof BOSTON – September 30, 2005: The world’s top male squash players are making room for both a women’s and junior competition at this year’s U.S. Open Squash Championships. A fast-growing sport here in the United States, squash action moves to Harvard University’s Murr Center this November 4-8, 2005. Qualifying rounds on Wednesday, November 2 and Thursday, November 3 will determine the final four players for both the men’s and women’s divisions. All matches, including the New England Open junior competition, will take place at the Murr Center and put to use the facility’s 13 glass-back courts and one brand new, four-sided, permanent glass feature court with its own temporary 700-seat squash stadium added on the indoor tennis courts within the building. With a men’s and women’s purse totaling over $74,000, the U.S. Open now ranks as the sixth largest combined event in the world behind the World Open, Qatar International, Tournament of Champi- ons, Kuwait Open and the British Open. John Nimick, tournament director and chairman, explains, “This year’s U.S. Open combines all the best elements of the game by offering inspiration for young players and a chance to give back by the pros. Junior Open competitors will be able to watch the best in the world and then carry that excitement onto the court for their own matches. In turn, pros will participate in a Junior Jam; watch and sometimes coach kids they know during the tournament; and spend personal time with spectators and families. What a winning combination for all!” Natalie Grainger, world ranked number 5 and the top U.S. ranked player, is looking forward to defending her title in Boston and shares, “By adding a women’s component to the highly respected U.S. Open men’s event, as well as increasing the purse, squash is now poised to grow and expand here in the United States. It’s a terrific sport and deserves this added support.” CHAMPIONSHIP COURT SCHEDULE: Friday, November 4 from 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm, Men’s First Round Saturday, November 5 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., Men’s First Round Sunday, November 6 from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Men’s Quarterfinals Monday, November 7 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Men’s & Women’s Semifinals Tuesday, November 8 from 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Men’s & Women’s Finals New England Junior Open The inaugural New England Junior Open will feature eight draws, beginning with boys and girls 19 and younger down to under 13, broken into two-year increments. Each player is guaranteed three matches with a consolation and consolation plate draw providing. this possibility. The MSRA Junior Committee expects more than 200 players from around the country to participate. New England, of course, will be well represented, as many of the secondary schools will be able to send team players. Play begins Friday afternoon, November 4 and on Saturday, November 5, a lunch will be provided at the courts as the competition advances. Finals in all the draws will be played Sunday, November 6, with matches scheduled to end in the early afternoon. Entry forms are available on the MSRA (www.ma-squash.org) or U.S. Open web site (www.usopensquash.com) and must be received by October 25, 2005. Start times will be available on Wednesday, November 2. Tickets are available by calling 877.524.5685 or visiting www.usopensquash.com. Maccabiah Games (continued from page 1) women had come prepared to play many more matches than they did, and were downcast by the limited schedule. Israel proved to be a worthy opponent, however, winning the gold medal. Doubly frustrating, Lillian suffered a severe hamstring tear during her match and had to default. Her teammates were Amy Gross and Sarah Roberts from Philadelphia and Jamie Singer from Brooklyn. Lillian plans to live and work in the Boston area, which is great news for the women’s squash community here. Blasberg’s 35+ team had more competition and won the bronze medal, narrowly losing the silver to Great Britain, as the gold went to Israel. During the second week, in her individual competition, Blasberg beat her nemesis from Great Britain to win the individual bronze medal, with the gold and silver medals going to the numbers one and two from Israel. Blasberg’s teammates were Julie Kessler and Tracy Specter of Philadelphia and Ricky Silbersher of Norwich, VT. As mentioned, the games are played every four years in Israel, but in interim years, there are Pan Am Maccabiah games and other competitions. Next summer, the United States will be sending teams, including squash teams, to Sydney to compete in a United States versus Australia games. Jewish squash players who are interested or just want to learn more can visit www.Maccabiusa.com.