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Squash Championships

THE Bahamas fielded a three-man delegation to compete in the recent Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Senior Squash Championships, which ended on August 26 in the Cayman Islands.

Four Walls Squash & Social Club coaches Father Scott Jupp and Troy Rahming headed the delegation that competed in the singles and team competitions. Teenage player Luque Lockhart, a Bahamian college school student in Canada, rounded out the team.

“The fellowship and camaraderie with the other countries and team players was wonderful. Other countries were elated by our return. “It felt as if we hadn’t left at all, especially connecting with familiar faces. We met new friends. We established new relationships. Strengthened old relationships,” said Coach Jupp, a former Bahamian junior champion who last competed in CASA 19 years ago, also in the Cayman Islands.

He said his return as a senior was a moving experience. The Bahamas’ participation was made possible because of recent efforts to reestablish The Bahamas Squash Association, the representative body for the sport.

A group of local players formed a committee to get the association back on its feet and plan to coordinate elections early next year to formalise the body. Coach Jupp is the acting vice chair and spokesperson for the group. Coach Rahming is the acting president of the committee. The group held a successful fundraising initiative at Four Walls prior to the tournament and received donations from the community to make the trip possible.

“The entire Four Walls community salutes Team Bahamas for representing The Bahamas so graciously and igniting community enthusiasm. We took over the historic squash club with an aim to revive the sport, and we’re extremely proud to see squash growing once again. The return to international competition will create new opportunities for recreational players, and young people entering the sport,” said Noelle Nicolls, Four Walls managing director.

“With the momentum generated, we expect to field an even bigger team next year. Granted, for the next few years, our prospects will be the strongest in the veteran’s category, but we will be a force to reckon with nonetheless,” said Nicolls. Team Guyana walked away with the team trophy along with several singles titles.

Four Walls continues to be the premier squash club in The Bahamas, offering weekly adult coaching classes for recreational players.

The facility has three professional squash courts, a clubhouse lounge, bar and restaurant, and is open to the public for lunch and dinner. It also hosts private squash fun days for individuals and private groups to experience a new form of wellness and fun competition. It joins the Grand Bahama Tennis & Squash Club as the two primary spots to affordably play squash in The Bahamas.