Elite Squash 2013 Year Review

Summer camps sell out and welcome players from all over Europe:

For once the British summer was kind and helped our very popular summer squash camps become even more fun as we introduced banana boating and more beach trips to after squash itinerary. Places are already being booked for 2014 squash camps and dates are on the junior camps page.

Elitesquash moves to Redwood Leisure:

Following the summer squash camps we started the new season in September at a brand new venue. Redwood Leisure club has 7 squash courts, 3 swimming pools, a huge gym and a hotel on site. This have proved very convenient for the players visiting the city for coaching and training.

Mini-Squash Success:

Our Saturday morning mini-squash sessions have become incredibly popular over the last month, with numbers up to 16 and above in ou 2-6 year old session.

New faces visiting Bristol for training:

Camille Serme – We have built a good relationship with Camille over the past few months, as she now plays for our PSL team and spends time in Bristol training with Elitesquash. Camille has recently reached her highest ranking to date, at world number 5, so a big congratulations to her!

Polish Junior Stars – Franek Oleski (6 years old) and Dominika Lubinska (11 years old, pictured below) spent some quality time joining camps and receiving lessons to return to Poznan with some new ideas, new shots and great experiences.

Joe Rys Curtis – Joe began lessons earlier in the season ranked outside the top 5 in under 15’s in Wales. He went on to finish 2013 at number 1 in Wales for his age group! He now joins the elite junior team.

Redwood Open Day:

We held an open day in November with multiple coaching clinics, mini squash from 2 years upwards, and a graded tournament with over 60 young players from all over the region. Many players and parents stayed on to watch another of our pro shoot-out nights where Lucas Serme took the first prize beating Hadrian Stiff in a quick-fire 1 game to 15 points format.

Professional Players Moving to Bristol:

Bristol is gaining a great reputation around the squash world, which is attracting more players every year. In September we welcomed Roshan Bharos (Netherlands) and Antonio De La Torre (Guatemala) to Bristol UWE, to continue their studies while improving their squash skills with other top players. In January we have Thoboki Mohohlo (pictured below with a mouth full of cake…) moving to Bristol from South Africa. Thoboki is a full time professional competing on the PSA tour, and is currently ranked 147 in the world. We also have world number 84 Abdulla Altamimi visiting from Qatar for 6 weeks, along with Lance Beddoes and Ben Grindrod from New Zealand.

Bristol Based Professional Players Achievements:

Mohamed Elshorbagy (pictured below) – Beats Nick Matthew to become Qatar Classic Champion 2013, moves up to number 4 in the world.

Lucas Serme – Reached the main draw of a world series event for the first time by beating Alan Clyne and Nasir Iqbal, and moves up to world number 66.

Marwan Elshorbagy – Winner of the Edmonton Open, Semi-finalist of the Sky Open in Cairo, and moves up to world number 24.

Tom Ford – Moves up to world number 117.

Mike Harris – Moves up to world number 128.

Top Moments of 2013:

– Karina Tyma represents England in the under 13 team at the 5 nations tournament in France.

– Elitesquash moved to Redwood Leisure in September.

– Saturday morning junior program grows fast including 14 players under 6 years old.

– 6 winners at regional championships in Exeter.

– Mohamed Elshorbagy beats Nick Matthew to become Qatar Classic Champion and world number 4.