News & Events
Jill is Welsh Masters Champion for 3rd time
Jill Campion, who lives in Bix and plays squash at Henley Leisure Centre, where the Henley Squash Club is based, won her age category at the 2024 Karakal Welsh Masters Closed Championship for the third consecutive year.
Campion’s age category included other, highly experienced Welsh international masters players. She needed her famous lob serves and touch shots to be working on the hot courts at Rhiwbina Squash Club where the tournament was held. In the semi-final she was able to do this, outmanoeuvring former Welsh number one Sian Johnson 3-0 in a match that was tougher than the score suggests. The final was against Lynne Davies – a repeat of the European Masters final last year in Hamburg. With her lob serves compromised by a lower ceiling, Campion was unable to dominate and Davies’ soft game combined with her excellent retrieval resulted in a cracking and very close match, which Campion just won 12-10, 9-11, 12-10, 11-8.
Speaking after her win Jill commented: “I beat Lynne relatively comfortably in Hamburg at the Europeans, but this match was totally different. Lynne was faster, and more disruptive in her approach. I struggled to find my rhythm but managed to win the key points that mattered thanks mainly to the Gevolution Squash training method I have been using for the past six months. Hopefully this win will stand me in good stead for the British National Masters Championship which takes place next week in Nottingham.”
“Winning the Welsh title means a lot to me as my mother represented Wales for many years and I was born there. However, when I started playing masters squash aged 35 I was asked to play for England and continued representing the country until 2019. With no international matches taking place 2019 – 2022, I met the World Squash Federation’s three year rule for changing representative country. In 2022, the first time I was able to play for Wales, we won the Home International Tournament (England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland) at my age group for the first time. You can imagine the emotion.”
2023 End of Year Review
2023 has been an active year for Henley Squash club with teams playing in both the Oxfordshire and Berkshire squash leagues, a successful club handicap tournament, a developing junior section, active monthly internal box leagues, Jill Campion winning the Womens’ over 65s European Championships in Hamburg and with the support of GLL/Better and Oxfordshire Squash, the reintroduction of a Friday evening club night, at the end of the year, open to anyone interested in playing squash, novice or experienced.
Handicap tournament
The handicap tournament was played over several months, using a “Swiss System” that allows players of different abilities to play each other and have a productive and often challenging match. Unbeaten players proceeded to the next round in a normal knock-out process, resulting in one overall (and unbeaten) winner All other players were grouped according to how many matches they had lost so far. The rounds were played in ‘F.A. Cup’ style – that is the draw for each round was only made after the previous round was completed, with one round per month and no seeding. In addition, handicaps were applied to all players (calculated by the “SquashLevels” system) to ensure close matches between players of different abilities, and to allow participation of all club members.
The emphasis was on fun, with the draw throwing up some matches between players of very different abilities – with the stronger player having to play with precision, since only a few mistakes would hand victory to the weaker player because of the handicaps!
Ceramic trophies were kindly created and donated by former Club Chairman, David Wright and were awarded to four category winners.
The overall tournament winner, and the only unbeaten player, was Adam Hurst, who received the Henley Squash Club Championship Cup as well as a ‘to-keep’ trophy created by David Wright ceramics.
The winner of the Plate competition was Peter Rivers, who was the player with the lowest “SquashLevel” score from the group of players who had only lost one match. Peter received the Henley Squash Club Plate, as well as a ‘to-keep’ trophy.
Richard Esau was the winner of the so-called 2nd Plate – for players who only lost two matches during the tournament. Richard was the one from this group who had the lowest “SquashLevel”and he received another ‘to-keep’ trophy from David Wright ceramics. The last category was the 3rd Plate for players who had only lost three matches. Alistair Robbie was the one from this group who had the lowest SquashLevel and he also received a ‘to-keep’ trophy.
Following the success and enjoyment of the 2023 tournament the club plans to run a similar event in 2024.
Team matches
The club ended the year with 2 teams competing in the Oxfordshire squash leagues, The first team, captained by Harry Carr, played in the Oxfordshire 1st division and were lying second just behind leaders Abingdon by a very small margin at the end the Winter 1 season, and all to play for in the forthcoming Winter 2 season in the new year. The second team, captained by Steve Dance stepped up a league to play in the Oxfordshire 3rd division, however despite some excellent very enjoyable matches found the standard a little rich and will again be playing in the 4th division in the forthcoming Winter 2 session.
In addition, for the first time in several years the club entered a Veteran/Masters team, captained by Richard Little in the Berkshire Veteran League division 3. At the end of the year the team is well placed at the top of the league ready to complete the second half of the season’s fixtures in the new year.
Junior squash
With support from local company Invesco and Oxfordshire Squash and Racketball Association, and seeking to offer an introduction to squash for younger members the club has hosted regular junior squash sessions on Sunday mornings during the year. The sessions have been run by volunteer qualified coach Paul Niedusynski and professional coach Adam Edge, and have proven popular fun and successful.
Box leagues
For all members regardless of age the club runs internal monthly box leagues, where the opportunity to play players of similar abilities assists in the development of skills with players promoted demoted or maintaining league position each month dependent on results.
European champion
Any summary of 2023 should also include mention of the club’s European over 65 Women’s’ Champion Jill Campion. In addition to competing in and winning international tournaments, during 2023 Jill has regularly played at the top of the club’s monthly box leagues as well as for both Oxfordshire league teams.
Way ahead in 2024
As well as wishing all members and supporters of Henley Squash club season’s greetings and a happy new year, the club is looking forward to an active and successful 2024 and welcomes anyone interested in playing squash to come and join us.
In addition, the club would be delighted to speak to any sponsors who wish to be associated with an active and growing local Henley Community Sporting club.
Trophies awarded for 2023 Handicap Tournament
The 2023 Handicap Tournament was wrapped up in December with the awarding of trophies for the four category winners.
The overall tournament winner, and the only unbeaten player, was Adam Hurst, who received the Henley Squash Club Championship Cup as well as a ‘to-keep’ trophy created by David Wright ceramics.
The winner of the Plate competition was Peter Rivers, who was the player with the lowest SquashLevel score from the group of players who had only lost one match. Peter received the Henley Squash Club Plate, as well as a ‘to-keep’ trophy.
Richard Esau was the winner of the so-called 2nd Plate – for players who only lost two matches during the tournament. Richard was the one from this group who had the lowest SquashLevel and he received another ‘to-keep’ trophy from David Wright ceramics.
The last category was the 3rd Plate for players who had only lost three matches. Alistair Robbie was the one from this group who had the lowest SquashLevel and he also received a ‘to-keep’ trophy.
The tournament used a version of the ‘Swiss-system’ that allows all players to play in every round. Unbeaten players proceeded to the next round in a normal knock-out process, resulting in one overall (and unbeaten) winner. All other players were grouped according to how many matches they had lost so far. The rounds were played in ‘F.A. Cup’ style – that is the draw for each round was only made after the previous round was completed, with one round per month and no seeding. In addition, handicaps were applied to all players (calculated by the SquashLevels system) to ensure close matches between players of different abilities, and to allow participation of all club members.
The emphasis was on fun, with the draw throwing up some matches between players of very different abilities – with the stronger player having to play with precision, since only a few mistakes would hand victory to the weaker player because of the handicaps!
Full details of the tournament draw plus all match results can be seen here.
The ceramic trophies were kindly created and donated by former Club Chairman, David Wright. You can find out more about David’s ceramic wares here.
Jill wins European Masters
Jill Campion, who lives in Bix and plays squash at the Henley Squash Club based in Gillotts Leisure Centre, won her age group at the European Masters Squash Championship held in Hamburg last week. This is the second time that Jill has won her age group, having won the title in Malmo in 2015.
She beat long-standing rival Lynne Davies, from Wales 11-3, 11-7, 11-7 in the final of the over 65s category, both finalists having won all their initial round robin matches. Speaking after the final Jill said, “Lynne is always a tough opponent. She has an unorthodox game which is very effective as it disrupts the normal flow of the game and prevents opponents from attacking. I was lucky to come in to the tournament on good form, and I was able to build my confidence further in the round robin match, which I won very comfortably. The final was different. I dominated the first game but then Lynne got into her stride and I had to fight hard to regain control in both the second and third games. I am delighted to have won this major title again and to have been part of what is a fantastic celebration of squash for all ages.”
Over 600 people from countries around European competed in the European Masters Championships, which are held every two years, with age groups starting at over 35 right through to over 80.
Jill Campion has won major squash titles at over 50, over 55 and over 60 age groups. This is her first over 65s win.
Another Big Win for Jill
Jill Campion, who lives in Bix and plays squash at Henley Squash Club, which is based at Gillots Leisure Centre, last weekend won the British Open over 60s squash tournament, the third consecutive time she has won this tournament in this age group. This win comes shortly after her win in the National Championships in February and in last year’s British Open, which means that she has won her age group in all the major tournaments this season.
The British Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments in international squash. The masters event took place in the the Allam Sports Centre in Hull, running alongside the main event in which the top players in the world compete. Speaking after her victory Campion said; “This has been a very good season for me. Having won the two other major tournaments I was very keen to make a clean sweep of this season’s majors. It is great to be playing in the same venue as the pros, and I find watching the best players in the world truly inspiring – not that I could be or ever have been close to their standard though!”
Campion had a bye in to the semi-final in which, with her typical style of focused and accurate squash, she was too strong and quick for Iris Hoefling of Germany, who she beat 3-0. IN the final she faced Lesley Sturgess, who she had beaten in one British Open and two British National finals, each time 3-2. This one proved to be another tough match. “Lesley is a highly experienced player who reads the game well and has excellent racket skills. As has recently been the case in our matches, Lesley won the first game, keeping the rallies short with tight, accurate shots. I started getting in to my stride in the second and managed to level the match at one game all. Lesley slowed the game down and went ahead in the third, but I clawed my way back, finally losing it closely, 10/12. I could see that this long game had taken its toll physically on Lesley and so I played a game that combined fast-paced drives with slower deceptive shorts to win the last two games. I was thrilled, and very relieved, to secure another British Open age group title, my fifth in all.”
Annual General Meeting
The first AGM since the end of COVID lock-down was held on 21st October 2021. Thanks were given to chairman, David Wright, for his years in charge and for navigating us through the lock-down period. David is fully retiring from all squash and stood down as chairman. The following officers were appointed for the next period:
- Chairman – Roger Booker
- Vice-Chairman – Steve Dance
- Membership Secretary and League Administrator – Duncan Nightingale
- Treasurer – Andy Ball
- Website technical support – Roger Betts
- 1st Team Captain – Simon Street
- 2nd Team Captain and Juniors co-ordinator – Paul Ski
- Club Coach – Adam Edge
Henley Squash Club emerges from COVID lock-down
After a number of abortive attempts, and with the co-operation of Henley Leisure Centre, the club is now up and running again:
- Internal Squash League (aka ‘boxes’)
- Squash teams competing against other clubs in the Oxfordshire League
- Club afternoon every Saturday from 3.20pm to 4.40pm, with associated WhatsApp group to facilitate organisation and attendance
- FREE Juniors program of coaching and activities
Jill runner-up in O55 championship
Jill Campion, who lives in Bix and plays for the Henley Squash Club, fulfilled her seeding to finish runner-up in the ladies over 55 National Squash Championships, held in Manchester recently.
Jill, a three time champion in this age group and now in her last season in this category and seeded two in this tournament, has a tough quarter-final against the spirited Sarah Howlett in a tense three game match. She came out the blocks firing on all cylinders but Howlett battled back in a tense final game. However, the reigning champion had enough quality and experience to win in three games, 15-10, 15-11, 15-12.
In contrast, in the semi-final Jill had her work cut out against Hilary Kenyon, a strong, experienced player who represents England in the over 50s age group and has recently joined the over 55s. Jill managed to clinch the first game thanks to good shot choice, but Kenyon came back fighting in the second game, which she dominated, levelling the score at one game all. Jill increased the pace in the third and fourth games, running down Kenyon’s shots, and her growing confidence was reflected in the quality of her shots. She went on to win 12-15, 15-7, 8-15. 8-15.
In the final she faced 5-times master winner and number one seed Mandy Akin, playing her first national championships in the over 55 category. Jill started well, using her shot-making skills to good effect, and edged ahead in the first game, but Akin soon found her stride and came out strongly, taking the first game 15-9. She continued to put Jill under pressure in the second game, which Jill lost 15-10 and there was no respite in the third, which Akin won 15-6.
“Mandy is a very strong player, a youngster in this age group, and still one of the best over 50 players in the UK, let alone over 55! I had played very well in my semi-final match against Hilary and I hoped to play as well against Mandy. I had my game plan, but she is so strong and fast, and kept me under pressure the whole time. I was pleased to get to the final in my last national championships in this age group.”
Jill’s success at the National Championships confirmed her selection to play number 2 for England over 55s in the Home internationals being held in Cardiff at the end of April. This is her 17th England cap at masters level.
David takes over as Club Chairman
David Wright has agreed to take on the mantle of Club Chairman. He formally took charge of Henley Squash Club at an Extraordinary General meeting on Thursday 5th October where he was proposed by previous Chair, Duncan Nightingale, and seconded by Richard Little, with no other candidates standing.
David is a mainstay of the club, playing in the internal League at the Division 1/2 level, and competing for the Henley teams in the Oxfordshire and Berkshire Leagues in the 2nd team. He was also a recent winner of the Welsh Masters. More details on that story are here…
Duncan will continue to organise the internal League and act as Membership Secretary.
Winter 2016-17 Teams Report
The Winter season for Team Squash finished with mixed results for the various Henley Teams.
In the Oxfordshire League, Henley 1sts finished 3rd in the top division. The 2nd team finished bottom of division 2. Henley 3rds finished in a very creditable 2nd place in division 5. The 4th team finished a solid 4th place in division 7.
The full, final League Tables can be seen here.
Individual Player Statistics for every team player can be seen here.
In the Berkshire (Vets) League, Henley 1sts finished mid table in the top division, while the Henley 2nds finished next to bottom in division 3.
The full, final League Tables can be seen here.
Individual Player Statistics for every team player can be seen here.
Summer League Team Squash kicks off in May. Henley will be running 3 teams in the Oxfordshire League. If you are interested in participating, sign-up now with the team organisers: Simon Street (1st team) & Paul Ireland (2nd & 3rd team).
The Vets teams have a break now until next Winter.
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