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BJO
En Bref 2006 Issue #5
2005 En Bref
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the British Junior
Open, from Steve Cubbins ... |
MISTER CHRIS ...
This is Chris Nutley's sixth BJO as
tournament director, so we thought we'd have a chat with "Mister Chris" to
see if he was getting the hang of the job yet ...
What's it like organising such a big event?
"It's a lot easier to organise than it was in the early days, you get used
to how to do things and find quicker ways around, but it's still an
absolute nightmare from the moment entries close until the first match
goes on court.
"Organising that many entries and matches is always going to be tricky,
but by lunchtime on day one it starts to calm down and I start to enjoy
it, it's a great event after all.
But you get a lot of help ...
"We have two people on the desk at each venue, Adrian from Horizon doing
the results, a tournament referee, assistant referee and 24 referees on
duty for the first four days. Then there's all the equipment - computers,
printers, photocopiers, stationery, programmes ... one thing I always
bring too many of is balls, but we do get through a few!
And Sheffield too?
"Sheffield are really great, they've been heavily involved from the start,
we have two world class venues which are both very supportive, and
Sheffield Events provide the transport, which everyone seems to
appreciate, and they do everything they can to make the event work well.
"It's because of them that Sheffield has become the home of the BJO, and
it's an ongoing relationship which everyone is keen to keep going.
"We're also very grateful to Powerplaysports,
whose sponsorship has enabled the event to have a stable basis, providing
t-shirts and other tournament services, and allowing us to keep it as the
number one junior event in the world.
How does it compare to other events ?
"It's probably the best of them, there are people here from all over the
world, most of whom you only see once a year but you view them as friends,
and of course there's much more squash to be played at this one compared
to any of the others.
I hear you've been on the radio?
"Yes, I was on Radio Sheffield on Tuesday morning, just talking about the
event on their sports bulletin. It goes to show how it's become part of
Sheffield's sporting calendar, and we were on immediately after the
football roundup, so it was nice to feel part of that scene.
After six events, any thoughts of retirement?
"Every year during the build up I say to myself 'this is my last one, but
every year by the time I go home I've changed my mind and can't wait for
next year ..." |
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ABBEYDALE GOES GOLD
Abbeydale Park Rackets and Fitness Club was proud to recently gain the
England Squash Gold Charter, recognising both the splendid facilities at
the club, including the all-glass showcourt, and the extensive contacts
with local schools, currently involving 14 primary schools and four
secondary schools.
Many of the children who who come to the club for tester and training
sessions, are in attendance today, when ES Chief Executive will formally
present the award just before the finals.
 |
No worries Natalie ...
 "My
cast has been on for two weeks now, it's coming off in another three ...
in plenty of time for the wedding ..."
Tommy Berden
who gets married to
Natalie Grinham in March ... |
BJO
En Bref Issue #4
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the British Junior
Open, from Steve Cubbins ... |
Eric the Eye Protection Enforcer
 It's
been a requirement for juniors to wear eye protection in tournaments for
many years now, and no-one would disagree that safety, particularly in
youngsters whose life could be ruined by an accident that takes a
millisecond to happen, has to come first.
Here in Sheffield Eric Cruttenden is the man charged with ensuring
that all the players here wear eye protection, that has a national
standard for squash.
"I've been involved in the Eye Protection issue since 1990," say Eric, one
of the longest serving officials of England Squash (formerly the SRA).
"The WSF brought in this regulation some years ago, and ES set up a
committee in 1990 with the BSI (British Standards Institute) and we now
have about 20 models on the list. USA, Canada and Australia/New Zealand
all have their own standards.
"There are also many models on the market purporting to be for squash, but
do not have a standard. Some are little more than fashion items and could
be dangerous to the player if an accident occurred."
"We are now working towards having a list incorporating all the models
that have a national safety standard for squash to make life easier
for players, administrators and referees in all countries to ensure
juniors are using safe, tested eyewear."
So here in Sheffield Eric is busy checking in all the competitors, making
sure their equipment conforms to an approved national standard, and
generally ensuring that everything progresses smoothly and safely.
So well done Eric, and I'm sure you'll agree he looks very smart in his
goggles! |
 Prize
Kit
It's totally unofficial, but the En Bref prize for the best team kit goes
to South Africa for their colourful and lively shirts which have,
according to their girls team manager Margery Taylor, "more than a little
of Nelson Mandela in them".
Apparently Mr Mandela likes this kind of design, and we have to say we
agree ... |
What's in a name?
There have been some unexpected requests at the Abbeydale tournament desk,
with some Egyptian players asking for their names to be changed on the
draws.
 It's
not unusual that some of the 'foreign' names are spelt incorrectly, and
England Squash do use what's written on the entry forms, but they're happy
to oblige in these cases.
The really strange thing in this case though, is that one of the players
requesting a name change was a two-time BJO champion and top seed this
year!
Is it any wonder that the seedings sometimes look a little strange,
and I'll bet the trophy engraver will be pleased! |
Where's Me Lychees?
 Apparently
it's a tradition at these events that Judy Williams, the
oh-so-efficient tournament co-ordinator, brings fresh lychees for some of
the referees' breakfast.
I have no idea whether Lychees make any difference to the decision-making
process, but they certainly add something extra to breakfast ... |
BJO
En Bref Issue #3
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the British Junior
Open, from Steve Cubbins ... |
The Mexicans are coming ...
 Sandar
Khan is a man with a rich squash history, and Maxico is reaping the
benefits.
A Pakistani, a second cousin of Jahangir, he has been national coach in
the Czech Republic, and for the the last year and a half has been national
coach for Mexico.
Yesterday he saw the Salazar twins bow out to world junior champion Ramy
Ashour, but they are just the tip of the iceberg, he says.
"We have many juniors coming through, the squad we brought to the Scottish
and British Junior Opens are our best current players, but we have over
300 players in the national squad.
 "The
Mexican government gives big support. Finance is the biggest problem any
national federation faces, so the government's help is invaluable, paying
for trips like this and the coaching programme back in Mexico.
"Compared to the Pakistani juniors we lack experience and the tricky shots
they possess, and they also tend to be better prepared physically giving
them time to recover, but we are working on all these areas.
"My players won't argue, I teach them discipline and respect, and that it
is important to play honestly and fairly.
"They should know that the referees decision is final, there's no point in
wasting time and energy arguing, he's not going to change his mind, so
save your energy for the next point."
That's a lesson for all of us, not just the juniors, and if the Mexican
squad have done well this year, led by the Salazars, something tells me
we'll be seeing more of them, lots more, in the coming years ...
 |
Selby's last BJO?
 As
a player you have a limited number of BJOs in which you can compete Some
players will probably get to play eight - two years at each age group, maybe nine times if they show
great talent at an early age.
But as a parent your shelf life is longer. Essex's Paul Selby was
reminiscing on this probably being his last BJO as a parent, having
brought Daryl, Lauren and Elliot to the last TWELVE championships, and
this is the last one any of them will be eligible for.
That covers the last time it was held at Lambs in London (when Daryl
reached the plate final) plus the eleven times it's been held in
Sheffield. Paul says he will continue to attend, 'in parentis' or not, but
we'd be interested to know if any parents can beat Paul's parental
attendance record of eleven .... answers on a postcard ... |
Big Hair
 Some
of the English boys here in Sheffield share a common hairstyle that can
only be described as "Big Hair".
 It's
dark, it's bushy, and as black kit seems to be obligatory, it's quite hard
to tell Chris Simpson, Oliver Pett and Neil Cordell apart when you see one
of them on court.
Their coaches, and even Chris himself agree ... they need a cut! |
Jon Brown for 2007
Those of you who have been following the forum will know of Jon Brown,
that shy, unassuming English youngster who developed quite a following ...
Well, we caught up with him to hear the amazing news that he lost in the
first round. But the title's a cert in 2007, you have Jon's word on it ...
John Underhill & Jon Brown |
BJO
En Bref Issue #2
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the British Junior
Open, from Steve Cubbins ... |
Downer down but not out
You may have noticed that some of the English boys have been having a bit
of fun on the forum. I couldn't track down that elusive superstar Jon
Brown, but I inadvertently caught up with Robert Downer, another
forum regular.
 At
first I thought it was a French boy warming up on court, the kit seemed to
suggest that, but Robert is from Hampshire.
"I should win my first match," he said, "then I've got an Egyptian, seeded
9/16 this evening. If I play well I can win that, but then I'd face the
Pakistani who I lost to last year. He's very good, he basically
overpowered me and I think he'll probably win the tournament."
We have to report that Robert lost his evening match - "too powerful, he's
a bit older than me and it showed" - but we're sure he'll be back, on the
forum and on the court ... |
The
Youngest Spectator?
"He's been watching squash since he was born, we've always taken him to the
courts when we play and he just loves watching squash."
Young Oscar Mann comes from a squash family. Mum Clare met his dad David
while she was out in Australia - playing squash, naturally - and brought him
back with her. David is now in charge of physical education at Lansing
College, who have a number of competitors here.
There a little bit of torn loyalties, but David is leaving most of the
coaching of the Australian squad to Jeff Davenport.
As for Oscar, at at seven and a half months old it will probably be a while
before he enters his first BJO, but by then he will have witnessed all the
world's best in action and will be a force to be reckoned with.
Today he was wearing his England shirt, but I'm sure Dad has his sights set
on Oscar playing for Australia ... |
No, THAT right-hand side
 During
yesterday's 'match of the day' referee Tony Parker often had
trouble making himself heard over the hubbub of Pakistani and Mexican
supporters.
At one point, having told one of the players several times, to no effect,
that he should be serving from the right, he finally pointed and bellowed
"from THAT right-hand side ...".
That did the trick. |
The Other Aussie Team
 Australia
tends to send a boys team to the BJO one year, and a girls team the next.
This year it's the boys' turn, but there is one girl competing, after her
dad brought her along under their own steam.
Mark Beveridge - who sports a South African accent, which fooled me
for a while - brought daughter Tamryn to compete in the U17 event.
"We used to live in Cape Town, and were on holiday there, so we came over
and caught up with the Boys team in Edinburgh for the Scottish. It's great
to be here, and hopefully Tamryn can come with the rest of the girls next
year."
Tamryn won her first round match against Holly Cox 9/3, 9/0, 9/6 in 20
minutes, although not before dad got a withering glare after a loud "Come
on Tamryn" just as she was about to serve on match ball ... |
BJO
En Bref Issue #2
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the British Junior
Open, from Steve Cubbins ... |
Missing Peter
When the referees assembled for their briefing this morning, a familiar
face was missing. Peter Kramer was a regular at the BJO, quite naturally
since he was a Sheffield man.
His untimely death has left a big gap to fill, and his good humour,
friendly manner, and of course his "bag of decisions" will be sorely
missed this week in Sheffield.
Rest in peace mate, wherever you are, everyone is thinking of you.
 |
Early
Breakfast
 With
twelve matches due on at 9am an early start was essential for the
tournament team - Chris Nutley, his helpers, the referees, and so on.
"Breakfast a seven see you there," was Chris's parting shot last night.
Well some of us were there for seven but guess what, we'd forgotten that
Monday was a bank holiday, and the restaurant was empty because breakfast
wasn't being served until 8am, which would have been too late to get to
the clubs in time.
So the helpful staff at the Beauchief Hotel pulled out all the stops,
provided tea, toast and cereal, and a cooked breakfast well before eight
'o clock for those needy souls who were off to a long day at the BJO ...
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New
Technology
 You
quickly get used to new things, don't you. Before broadband we were all on
dial-up connections via a modem, and if you try that now it's soooo slow
it's painful.
And only a couple of years ago it
was a surprise and a delight when my new Centrino laptop popped up with
the occasional "such-and-such a wireless network is available, would you
like to connect?" message.
Nowadays it's a disappointment when you fire up your laptop at the
airport, hotel, or other likely locations to find the "wireless connection
unavailable" message.
So when no network was found at the hotel, I enquired at reception if
there were any facilities available other than the phone line in the
room.
"Unfortunately our wireless broadband is down at the moment," the helpful
man on the desk said.
That sounded good. "When will it be back up?" I asked.
"Oh, not for months," came the reply. "Apparently they had big problems,
they've got to knock down some walls and do lots of re-cabling ..."
I decided not to enquire further ... So this week I'm on a modem,
and I'm sure I'll learn to love it ... |
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