Hits & Giggles RACQUETBALL Event Round Up The first Hits & Giggles program round is now in week 5 and has Gippsland Open—Maffra been a huge success. Nicci Rossouw is hosting the program at The thin red line Genesis in Wantirna for racquetball. Six women enrolled for the Open Men Rex Hedrick (KNOX) Cameron White (BEL) program and are progressing very well. Nicci is hoping to run another racquetball program starting at the end April as part of Open Women Melody Francis (KOOY) Sarah Cardwell (KOOY) Vic’s round 2 of Hits & Giggles. Two of the ladies are VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 APRIL 2012 ready to join the pennant competition with the others hoping to State 2 & Below— James Hunt (BEL) Clinton Grenfell (BEN) continue on a more social basis. For more information, contact Squash Vic Office: Men Tegan at Squash Vic. T: 9682 2199 State & Below — Tegan Doherty (MSAC) Aleisha Kramme (TH) F: 9682 2399 Women E: [email protected]

A Grade—Men Geoff Chambers (RACV) Bill Doherty (MORW) Executive Director Fiona Young A Grade—Women Kim Lonsdale (MAFF) Linda Wing (MSAC) High Performance Manager 100 CLUB—Supporting B Grade—Men Barry Patterson (WANG) Andrew Meredith (SHEP) Richard Cagliarini Junior Squash

B Grade—Women Kerry Oates (KOOY) Rayleen Cooper (BEAC) Development Coordinator Tegan Doherty WHAT is the 100 CLUB? Membership of the 100 CLUB is available in three C Grade—Men Michael Bracecamp Tom Wing (SALE) categories (see below) and is open to all squash (MORW) supporters and enthusiasts ‐ people who are C Grade—Women Joy Williams (MORW) Jennifer Esam (GV) passionate about the sport and its survival in the future. Our juniors are the future of Victorian squash D Grade—Men Brian Goodwin (MORW) Ben Bassler (MAFF) and the 100 CLUB aims to be one of their major supporters. Awards What does it do? The 100 CLUB was initiated as a way to raise funds Victoria’s Sarah Fitz‐Gerald has become the fifth for the development of junior squash—specifically to “Legend” to be inducted into the Squash ensure that the player costs associated with Australia Hall of Fame, joining some of squash’s representing Victoria in each year’s State Junior greatest names in being recognised in this manner by the sport’s governing body. She now From left to right: Sue, Chris, Margaret, Robyn and Sheila Squash Team are covered or kept to a minimum. sits alongside Heather McKay, Ken Hiscoe, Geoff having a chat after the session. Junior State Representation Hunt and her great friend and rival Michelle The Australian Junior Squash Championship is the Martin in the elite group. Fitz‐Gerald, 43, is pinnacle event in the Australian junior squash recognised as one of the top women’s squash calendar. It is hosted by a different State each year. players of all time and as one of Australia’s Clockwise from top left: Women’s Open winners, Events in April/May The Victorian Team is announced at the State Junior greatest ever sportswomen. She won 65 titles Men’s B Grade, Men’s Open, Women’s A Grade Titles in June and is based on rankings after selected from 94 finals appearances and represented her Apr 20‐22 tournaments during the lead up period. The team country on 76 separate occasions, most recently VMSA Masters Tournament—Bairnsdale comprises 2 boys and 2 girls in each of the 13, 15, 17 when she came out of retirement to help Go to www.vmsa.com.au for entry details Australia win the Women’s World Teams and 19 year age groups. Two coaches and a manager Championship in New Zealand in 2010. Fitz‐ Apr 21‐22 www.squashvic.com.au accompany the team. 24 Hour Mega Squash for MS Gerald’s glittering career started when she won Further information and details on how to register your Membership the World Junior Championship in 1987. She team are available on the Squash Vic website under Membership of the 100 CLUB is limited to a went on to claim six Women’s World Teams Participation or directly at maximum of 100 persons annually. There are three Championship titles, a World Cup gold medal and www.megaswim.com/enter‐msac‐squash.asp categories of membership: the 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medal. She also won five World Open individual titles, www.twitter.com/squashvic • Platinum $500 Apr 27‐29 two British Opens and four Australian Open Racquetball Championship—Wangaratta • Gold $350 crowns. Fitz‐Gerald has also been a tireless Entry form available on the Squash Vic website under • Silver $200 advocate for squash off the court and has held Racquetball section numerous coaching and administrative roles. She SQUASH for the OLYMPICS 2020 Contact John/Elaine Broadway (03) 5721 5721 (H) 100 CLUB inclusions: was on the board of the Women's Squash Association (WSA) for 11 years including a stint 0418 574 404 (M) for further information • Numbered 100 CLUB key ring www.facebook.com/squashvic as President and she is also a former Squash May 6 • Quarterly e‐newsletter Australia board member. VSL Junior Age — Genesis Fitness Centre • Annual dinner Level 1 Coaching Course—Day 1 Other winners on the evening included: Invitation to State Junior Titles finals and State See Squash Vic website for entry and details • Squash Vic Executive Director, Fiona Young, ‐ Team Presentation May19‐20 Administrator of the Year Victorian Country Teams Championships—GP Squash City • Certificate of Appreciation Coach of the Year—Marc Forster (Qld) www.youtube.com/squashvic1 • State Junior Team photo Referee of the Year—Nathan Turnbull (Qld) May 27 Senior Athlete— (NSW) Junior Development Series—Tournament #3 Contact Squash Vic for further details and/or an Junior Athlete—Bethany Brazier (Qld) Contact Squash Vic for details 9682 2199, enter online at application form. Volunteer of the Year ‐ Carsten Frederiksen (WA) www.squashvic.com.au THE THIN RED LINE PAGE 2 PAGE 3

Saluting ‘The Marine’ By Dominic Bliss (Reprinted by permission from International Squash Magazine—March Did you know.. Squash has a 2012)

code of conduct? After 18 years on the PSA Tour, Australia’s David Palmer finally calls it a

As part of its Member Protection Policy, squash has a day. But he’s not hanging up his rackets quite just yet. player code of conduct (below) as well as codes for Sport Leadership coaches, referees, spectators, administrators and parents. They called him ‘The Marine’. Anyone who witnessed David Palmer’s determination and never‐say‐die attitude on the squash court will know Grants & Scholarships Players must meet the following requirements in regard that it was a well‐earned nickname. And it was this dogged spirit, allied for Women to their conduct during any activity held or sanctioned by with superb fitness and shot‐making, that enabled the Aussie player to Squash Vic, a member association or an affiliated club Grants and Scholarships for triumph in two World Opens, four British Opens, a World Team Squash Don’t forget—get your team together now and in their role as a player/participant in any activity Championships title and two stints as world No.1. Women of up to $5,000 for for the 24 Hour Mega Squash event for MS held by or under the auspices of Squash Vic, a member individuals and $10,000 for on April 21‐22. association or an affiliated club: The man who first came up with ‘The Marine’ moniker was former PSA organisations are available to technical director, aka the Voice of Squash, Robert Edwards. “When I Details on how the event works, how to • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of fellow players, assist women to undertake first saw David play I had the feeling he simply didn’t know how to enter etc on the Squash Vic website or call coaches, officials and spectators. Act with integrity and retreat,” Robert remembers. “He’s got this indomitable spirit. He’s a guy accredited sport leadership us on 9682 2199. accept responsibility for your actions. who is completely, 100 per cent dedicated to winning. No matter where training in the areas of Teams entered to date: • Do not tolerate acts of aggression or abusive he is in a match, he believes he can come back.” coaching, officiating, 1. Make squash not war behaviours.

2. Squash Logic • Respect the talent, potential and development of fellow governance, administration and And come back he certainly did. On many memorable occasions, in 3. Its a Family thing players and competitors. Value the rights, dignity and management, and crucial tournament finals, Palmer clawed his way back from matchpoint 4. Gents of GCI worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, communications, media and down to win the title. Perhaps the most memorable of all was in 2002 5. Geelong cultural background or religion. marketing. Sport leadership when he took on compatriot and great friend Johnny White in the final If all goes according to plan, later this year he will open a squash 6. Gladstone Park • Care for and respect the equipment provided to you as academy in the Florida town of Orlando, where he lives. Academy of the World Open in Antwerp. David himself believes this was his pathway scholarships of up to part of your program. There is a NEW inter‐venue cup challenge, greatest ever performance on a squash court. Even now, 10 years later, players will range from juniors and amateurs all the way up to PSA and $10,000 per annum for three • Be frank and honest with your coach concerning illness the Sarah Fitz‐Gerald trophy up for grabs, so he still remembers the exact moment he successfully defended that WISPA professionals. years are also available. and injury and your ability to train fully within the venues get your teams together NOW. match ball at 2‐1 down. He says he can still see his wife, coach, physio program requirements. and the rest of his support team leaping into the air at the moment he So it seems the USA will be David and his family’s home – for the next For more information on the • At all times avoid intimate relationships with your won the point. Robert Edwards will never forget that moment either. few years at least. He’s in the middle of applying for his Green Card program and to apply, please coach. “It’s in my top three all‐time matches, any player, anywhere,” he says right now. “But I’ll always keep my Australian citizenship. That’s a visit the Sport Leaderships • Conduct yourself in a professional manner relating to without hesitation. “Actually, it might well be no.1. Imagine the scene. definite,” he stresses. “Some time in the future I’d like to get back to language, temper and punctuality. Display control, Grants and Scholarships for For me it was heaven. I had the joy of going out there and raising 3,000 Australia. Australian players are dropping off the rankings at the tolerance and courtesy to all involved with the sport. Women webpage on the ASC people to frantic screams and raving; the music’s pulsating, the crowd’s moment, and I’d like to be involved in trying to rectify that.” He says, • Maintain high personal behaviour standards at all times. website at http:// SQUASH going crazy. I’m watching the two players who were two of my closest given the chance to coach Australia’s men’s team in World Team • Abide by the rules and respect the decision of the www.ausport.gov.au/ friends. They’re trying desperately, desperately to win, and they’re Squash Championships or Commonwealth Games, he’d jump at the official, making all appeals through the formal process giving it everything, they’re digging deep. David eventually won it after chance. participating/women/ SPORT INJURY AND and respecting the final decision. Operate within the rules saving match ball. I remember walking out to interview both of them get_involved/ RISK MANAGEMENT and spirit of your sport, promoting fair play over winning and I just looked at the audience. They stood as one. I didn’t open my David’s home town, and the place most of his family still live, is grants_and_scholarships (SIRM) GUIDELINES at any cost. mouth and they clapped for two or three minutes. The quality of the Lithgow, 100 miles west of Sydney, in the Blue Mountains of New • Be honest in your attitude and preparation to training. Applications will close at match. The way it swayed. The natural drama. All those ingredients South Wales. Many Lithgow residents end up working in the local Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Give your midnight on Friday 27 April made it one of the best matches I’ve ever seen. Or ever will see.” mining industry, as did some of David’s school friends. But, as a best at all times. 2012. youngster, he was so skilled at all the sports he played (football, tennis, • Cooperate with coaches and staff in development of It was at last year’s World Open, in Rotterdam, that David finally chose golf, athletics and squash) that he knew one day he would become a programs to adequately prepare you for competition at to announce his retirement from the PSA Tour after 18 years of gracing professional athlete. the highest level. Respect the decisions of officials, the world’s courts. Despite, on his swansong, still being ranked within coaches and administrators. the world top 10, the 35‐year‐old could feel his powers starting to wane. Thanks to a local squash club run by Kevin Shawcross, a top Aussie pro • Refrain from conduct, which could be regarded as Squash Vic in conjunction with vicsport and “It was slowly dropping off,” he admits. “There were days when I could from the 1970s, David was immersed in the sport form an early age. harassment towards fellow players, coaches and referees. Sports Medicine Australia (Vic) produced produce really high‐standard squash, but I’d started to lose some His father John and mother Sylvia were both very accomplished Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit. guidelines for sport injury and risk matches in the second round. It was disappointing. It was frustrating.” players, too. David reckons, given financial backing, his mother could • Encourage opportunities for participants to learn management in late 2010. A copy was sent The other reason he decided to call time on the PSA was because of the have turned professional. “It’s true that I got my skills from my mum appropriate behaviours and skills. to all affiliated centres and clubs. The strain of the incessant travel. Based in Florida for the last five years, he is and determination and fitness from my dad,” he says. In later life, his • Encourage participation in all aspects of the sport. booklet contains guidelines for weather relishing being able to spend more time with wife Melinda and two father was diagnosed with a disease called Guillain‐Barré syndrome • Treat each person as an individual. conditions, the playing environment and young daughters Kayla and Miley Jane. Not that he plans to hang up his which affects the nervous system and causes paralysis. “The doctors • Ensure interaction with persons under the age of 18 equipment , emergency plans, first aid etc. squash rackets quite just yet. He may have retired from the PSA Tour, told him he’d never walk again,” David explains. “Yet six months later years is appropriate and that unaccompanied and but he is currently competing on the North American Pro Squash Tour, he was walking. He recovered to about 90 per cent of what he could unobserved activities are avoided wherever practical. If your club/centre did not receive a copy he regularly plays exhibition matches, and he hopes to take part in originally do. That’s how determined he is.” • Adopt appropriate behaviour in relation to the use of or would like a replacement copy please legends events later this year. alcohol and recreational and performance enhancing contact the Squash Vic office on 9682 2199 It thanks to Palmer Senior, then, that David earned his nickname ‘The drugs. or email [email protected] Meanwhile there’s sponsorship work for David. Both his racket and shoe Marine’. “I like the nickname,” David adds. “It represents the way I was • Ensure your actions contribute to a safe environment. sponsor employ him to do promotional and product development work. brought up. The way I was taught to play in the early days. Never to • Ensure your actions contribute to a harassment free Coaching takes up much of his time, too. In Florida he has been working give up; always to fight. I had that mental toughness in the big environment. with the Colombian No.1 Miguel Angel Rodriguez Forero, a couple of moments.” In the end, it was perhaps this mental toughness, more Australian pros, and some local junior players. He is also part‐owner of a than anything else, that propelled David to the top of his sport. THE THIN RED LINE squash club in New York State.