Nine Katikati Squash Club ladies are appealing to the community to get behind their fundraising efforts to get to national championships mid-September in the South Island.

The Katikati C grade ladies team made up of Dale Brown, Kelly Connelly, Janine Williamson, Kay Shaw, Bobbette Tanner, Laura Young and daughter Emma Young, aged 14, won the District Teams event for their grade, hosted at their home club from July 11-13.

The win qualified the team to represent the Bay of Plenty at the National C grade Championship in Dunedin from September 10-14. The cost for the team, plus their coach Braden Brewer and manager Angie Clark for flights, ground transport and accommodation will be $9000 – so $1000 per person.

Meanwhile, Laura Young’s other daughters, Kendall Young, aged 16, and Melanie Young, aged 14, won the District Teams Event for ladies’ D Grade, as part of a combined team with Putaruru Squash Club.

Their team will represent the Bay of Plenty at the Squash D Grade National Championship in Invercargill on September 10-14. The cost for the girls to attend their competition is similar to that of the C grade players.

Both the C and D grade championships are part of the National Superchamps finals, which determines the strongest club in each grade from B through to F/J grades across Aotearoa.

Nine Katikati females making it to the national tournaments was “a massive deal” for their club, said C grade player Laura Young.

“Quite a lot of the ladies have been playing in the C grade team year-on-year for probably close to 10 years. In 2019 our C grade ladies team went to the National C grade Championship and placed runner-up – today three of those players are still in the team. Plus the team has Nationals experience with player Dale Brown and manager Angie Clark, who represented BOP at the D grade Nationals in 2020 and returned as champions, said Laura.

“We are keen to better that – most definitely!”

Last year Kendall and Melanie Young, were in a D grade team combined with Putaruru club ladies, and placed runner-up at the District Teams event for their grade, said Laura. So again, the hunger to finally win is strong for these youngsters too!

Moreover, with the Youngs included in both Katikati teams heading to nationals makes it a family affair for the club.

From left, Kendall Young, 16, mother Laura Young and twin daughters Mel and Emma Young, 14. Photo / Merle Cave

“It’s so special to be going to these tournaments with all three of my daughters,” said Laura, who noted Katikati Squash Club is only fundraising for its 11 members – the Putaruru ladies will fundraise in their own community.

“So far money we’ve raised from sponsors has got us nearly to the halfway mark,” said Laura.

However, with a tight turnaround to raise the full $11,000, Katikati Squash Club has three upcoming fundraisers.

On August 10, ladies are welcome to enter a one-day ladies’ tournament at Katikati Squash Club. Entrants get to play three matches, which can be for points if both opponents agree. There will be spot prizes too. Entry is $30 per person.

A public event is a Quiz Night at Katikati Squash Club on Wharawhara Rd, on August 23 from 6pm. Tickets for a team of six cost $240, which includes a three-course meal. The night will boast prizes, raffles, live and silent auctions and games. Purchase tickets at: www.katikatisquash.org/quiznight

Then on August 31, players can enter a one-day doubles tournament at Katikati Squash Club. Partners will be allocated based on ability, with three matches to play. Entry is $30 per person. Enter via MySqauash or phone Angie Clark on 027 318 7214.

Laura said alternatively, if anyone in the community wanted to donate to their trip, or donate prizes to their fundraisers, to get in touch.

“We typically only have one or two superchamps teams each year [who head to the district event] because we don’t have huge numbers of players playing in each grade,” said Laura. “So to have nine ladies going to Nationals is awesome!”

Laura said in 2017 Katikati’s B grade men’s won their grade at nationals – and Braden Brewer was in that team “so we’re pretty stoked to have him as our C grade coach”.

Brewer, who also coached the C grade ladies’ team that nearly won in 2019, said this year’s ladies can definitely make it to the top. “With a few trainings done so far they are doing good. The ladies are keen as.”

Brewer said the main thing they need to focus on is fitness. “Not so much racket skills because most have already played for however long. But fitness. Once you get to nationals all the other teams are up another level – so you’re playing C grade but you’re up against lower-B grade [talent]. So getting that fitness right and being able to stay in the rally [is what they need to do].”