2006 ISRA SEPTEMBER SQUASH SMATTERRING

Welcome to the new edition of the Squash Smatterings, which will let you know all of the exciting things to look forward to during the coming season. Remember this is brought to you by your local squash organization, so look favorably on us when you are collared and asked to join the ISRA/USSRA. If you are a member, thanks! Highlights of the upcoming season discussed below, are:

* Squash Your Fall…the 2006 ISRA/METROsquash Season Opener, Sept. 29 & 30.

* League play expanded to all levels and starts in October.

* Tournaments start with the Lake Forest Junior warm up September 30 & 31 and the Great Lakes Open at the University Club, October 12th thru 15th; see the full list of the season’s tournaments below.

* METROsquash’s second year starts and volunteers are needed

SQUASH YOUR FALL…season opener on Friday Sept. 29th and Saturday Sept. 30th

The ISRA, METROsquash and your local club pros are sponsoring an exciting social and community play event on the above dates at the University Club and Lakeshore Athletic Club Illinois Center . There will be a challenge session at LAC IC on Friday evening with Beer and Pizza. On Saturday morning there will be an adult coaching session at LAC IC and a juniors camp at the UC. Following a brown bag lunch in Millennium Park , there will be more challenge matches at the UC and, saving the best for last, pro matches to benefit METROsquash. More details of these events will be available soon on the ISRA website, www.illinoissquash.org. All squash players and their families are welcome and there will be a small cover charge ($20) for beverages and to support METROsquash. If you renew or join the ISRA, the cover charge will be waived and the ISRA will make a donation on your behalf to METROsquash.

So plan on attending and mention this event to others at your club.

LEAGUE PLAY

This season we are planning three leagues covering those rated 3 to 4, 4 to 5 and those 5+. The new 3 to 4 league will join the 5+ league in playing once a month from October through April. Players rated between 4 and 5 are invited to join the Saturday league which will follow last years format of playing once a month from October thru January. So talk to your fellow club members and start forming a team. Contact your club pro indicating your interest and let me (Brian Horwood) know that you are assembling a team. This is a great way to expand your squash contacts and improve your competitiveness.

TOURNAMENTS

¨ Sept 30 & Oct 1 at Lake Forest their Juniors Pre-season Warm Up. Details and sign up on www.illinoissquash.org.

¨ Oct 12, 13, 14 at University Club the Great Lakes Open tournament which will adopt a new Thursday thru Saturday format this year.

¨ The Lakeshore Blizzard will start November 1 with the finals on December 8 & 9 (!) at the Lakeshore Athletic Club Illinois Center . This will be an expanded play format where you can expect to play once a week in the lead up to the semi-finals/finals on December 8 & 9. We expect a large turnout for this new event. How many do you think we can sign up?

¨ 10th Annual Lake Forest Open will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Nov 24 thru 26

¨ The Windy City Open at the University Club will be sponsored by “Infor”, the new owners of SSA Global. Dates are January 15 thru 23 for the pros and Jan 18 thru 21 for the amateurs. This is the biggest tournament in the United States! Sign up early.

¨ ISRA State Juniors at Lake Forest , March 3 and 4

¨ ISRA State Singles March 23 thru 25 at LAC IC and UC

In addition there are a couple of Doubles tournaments of note:

¨ Racquet Club Midwest Invitational, Oct 20 and 21. Contact John Cashman at the RC for details.

¨ ISRA State Doubles at RC, November 11 for all divisions

METROsquash’s SECOND YEAR

METROsquash is proud to be entering its 2nd season in Chicago . The first year was a great success, with over 90% of students improving their grades – and of course, significantly improving their squash games! The students also broadened their horizons with cultural and community service outings, and ended the year with a trip to Boston to compete in the Urban Individual Championships.

Inspired by their student’s success, METROsquash is expanding to serve a total of 24 5th and 6th grade students. Kozminski School will be joined by Reavis School and METROsquash will now accept interested students from two CPS schools. In order to meet the demands of the larger class size and improve the program experience for students, METROsquash has hired a full-time Academic Director, Christine Boukamp. In addition, long time Chicago squash guru, Peter Wendt, has signed on as the part-time squash director.

METROsquash will be holding tryouts for new students on Saturday, September 16th from 10am-1pm and needs your volunteer support.

To get involved with METROsquash at any level, please e-mail info@METROsquash.org, call David Kay at 773-251-1711 or visit www.METROsquash.org.

For more information on squash in Chicago or its’ environs, contact your playing partners, your squash pro, our website www.illinoissquash.org or me:

Brian Horwood

773-929-0822 (Home)

773-383-3906 (cell)

ISRA President