REMINDER: PSC AGM & Fun Round Robin – Tuesday, September 24 – start time 6:00 pm

Greetings PSC Members!

Just a friendly reminder of next Tuesday’s PSC AGM & Fun Round Robin – starting 6:00 pm sharp.   We will meet at the doubles courts.

The AGM is your opportunity to find out about upcoming Club events, to ask any questions about the Club, and to provide input into planning future events. You will also be able to meet our volunteer Club Executive team members who work hard to keep our squash Club successful.

Following the AGM, all members are invited to join in for a fun round-robin both for singles & doubles play. This will be a great opportunity for new & renewing members to meet other club players at all different playing levels.

Following our fun round-robin, we will be heading out for appetizers. Members should have received an email with the details. Please join us.

We hope to see everyone at the AGM & fun round-robin!

Your Volunteer PSC Executive Committee

Call for Nominations for Positions On the PSC Executive Committee 2024-25

To All Current PSC Members:

The Pickering Squash Club Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday, September 24th, starting at 6 PM sharp. We will meet at the doubles court area.  

The following positions are up for election at this AGM:

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Social Director
  • Director of Ladies’ Play
  • Director of Men’s Play
  • Director of Junior Play
  • Director of Communications
  • Director at Large
  • Technical Advisor

Duties of each position are identified in the constitution of the Pickering Squash Club, available here:

Nominations are now open and must be received no later than Tuesday, September 17th (one week prior to the AGM). 

  • All nominations must be made in writing and endorsed by at least two members in good standing of the Pickering Squash Club.
  • To be eligible for election, the nominee must be a member in good standing of the Pickering Squash Club. 
  • The nominee should be present at the AGM. If the nominee cannot attend the AGM in person, then the nominee must indicate in writing their willingness to accept such a position if elected.  
  • Voting shall be performed by a show of hands by members in good standing attending the AGM in person.

Please submit your nominations to:

Fred Dizig (President):
fred @ pickeringsquash.com

John Kerr (Director at Large – Memberships):
membership @ pickeringsquash.com

– Your Volunteer PSC Executive Committee

PSC AGM & Fun Round Robin – Tuesday, September 24, 6:00pm

Greetings PSC Members!

We hope you’ve enjoyed your summer & are now looking forward to an exciting squash season ahead.

The 2024-25 season marks the 40th anniversary of the Pickering Squash Club since its founding in 1985!

To kick off our new squash season, the PSC Annual General Meeting (AGM) & fun round robin will take place on Tuesday, September 24th.

Start time is 6:00 pm sharp at the doubles courts.

The AGM is your opportunity to find out about upcoming Club events, to ask any questions about the Club and to provide input into planning future events. You will also be able to meet our volunteer Club Executive team members who work hard to keep our squash Club successful.

Following the AGM, all members are invited to join in for a fun round robin both for singles & doubles play. This will be a great opportunity for new & renewing members to meet other club players at all different playing levels.

Following our fun round robin, we will head over to State & Main (Pickering Town Centre) for some food & drink for anyone who would like to join in.

https://www.stateandmain.ca/en/locations/on/pickering/1355-kingston-road

*** Please note: For Tuesday, September 24th – scheduled Division 2 doubles house league play will be postponed. Division 2 doubles house league play will resume October 1st ***

We hope to see everyone at the AGM & fun round robin!

Your Volunteer PSC Executive Committee

Exciting Events for the 2024/2025 Squash Season!

The new 2024/2025 squash season is fast approaching and we have some exciting upcoming events!  Please get out your calendars and be sure to read this entire email so that you don’t miss out.  

Upcoming Events at a Glance

  • Provincial Singles Championships & Harvest Hit Tournament:
    October 25-27, 2024
  • Monday Night Singles House League:
    Starts September 16th, 2024
  • Doubles House League:
    Starts Week of September 16th, 2024
  • Fun Round Robin & AGM:
    Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 at 6:00 PM
  • T&D and OSDL Leagues Registration Deadline:
    Approaching Soon
  • Junior Squash Clinic:
    Weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays
  • Friday Morning Drop-in Doubles Round Robin:
    Fridays, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
  • Instructional Clinics:
    Various Dates – Contact for Details

See below for more details.

Provincial Singles Championships and Harvest Hit Tournament combined!!

Oct. 25th-27th 2024

Yes, you read this right!  We will be hosting the Ontario Singles Closed Championships (Oct. 25-27th) which will include Men’s and Women’s Open, A, B, C, D, E draws.  This means everyone can play! 

At the same time, we’ll also be running our annual Harvest Hit doubles tournament, including Men’s and Women’s B and C draws, plus a Mixed B draw. Women can participate in both the women’s and mixed doubles events, subject to court availability.

Be sure to find yourself a partner for the doubles event. 

How to Register:

Sign up for both tournaments (listed separately) on the Squash Ontario website here. Don’t forget—register early to secure your spot and take advantage of the early bird discount for the Provincials!

Looking for sponsors and volunteers

We would like to make the Provincial Championships a huge success and we need sponsors!  Your sponsorship will go towards mandatory prize money for the open players, a doubles pro exhibition match (if we raise enough money), and providing pizza for all the players on Friday night.  

Any donation amount would be really appreciated.  Tax receipts are available for all sponsorships. Sponsorships over $1,000 will get your company logo on the tournament shirts.

We also need volunteers to help with Saturday’s lunch service. If you can assist, please reach out!

Monday Night Singles House League

Starting Sept. 16th

Our Monday night singles house league kicks off on September 16th. Sign-up sheets are on the board across from Court 4. If you can’t make it in to sign up, email Nicole, and she’ll add you to the list. Please note, all players must have a Chestnut Hill Developments squash membership and be a member of the Pickering Squash Club ($40 fee—see our membership form).  

Doubles House League

Starting week of Sept. 16th

We’ve posted the sign-up sheet for the doubles house league (all levels) in the doubles court area. Depending on your level, you’ll play on Monday (Div. 1), Tuesday (Div. 2), or Wednesday nights (Div. 3). You’ll need to find your own partner, or if you sign up solo, we’ll place you on the sub list so you can still get plenty of playing time.

Fun Round Robin and AGM

Tuesday Sept. 24th 6:00pm

Join us for a fun round-robin on both singles and doubles courts on September 24th at 6:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to meet other players, sharpen your competitive edge, and have some fun! We’ll start with a short AGM in the doubles court area to update everyone on club events and gather input on future plans.

We encourage everyone at all levels to come out for a fun evening of squash followed by a fun social. 

Join Our Executive Team:

If you’re interested in joining the executive team, please let us know. We’re always looking for passionate members to help shape the future of the club.

Bring Non-Perishable Food Items

We will also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Pickering Food Bank that same evening.  

T&D and OSDL Leagues – For competitive players

The T&D/OSDL league registration deadline is coming up soon. Nicole needs to submit our teams in the next couple of weeks, so please let her know if you’d like to be on a team this season.

Junior Squash Clinic

Our junior clinics are a great way for kids to learn and improve their squash skills in a fun environment!

The beginner players will learn the basics of squash including proper technique, footwork, rules, scoring and how much fun this sport can be!  Intermediate players will learn more advanced techniques to continue improving their skills through drills, fitness, and strategic play.  

  • Beginners/Intermediate (Ages 7-12): Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM
  • Teen Beginners (Ages 12-16): Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 PM
  • Lil Ones/Novice (Ages 4-8): Saturdays, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Contact Nicole for more info or to register.

Friday Morning Drop-in Doubles Round Robin (F55)

Join us Friday mornings- 8:30am – 10:30am

Contact Nicole for more details.

Instructional Clinics

We offer a variety of clinics for adults:

  • Beginner Clinics (Wednesdays)
  • Women’s Daytime Clinics (Thursdays)
  • Competitive Group Lessons (Book a 4-week group clinic with Nicole and/or Sameer—first come, first served)

Contact Nicole for upcoming dates and to secure your spot.

Membership Form

To participate in any club activities, you must be a member of the Pickering Squash Club and have a squash membership at the recreation complex. The PSC membership form is available on our website and is easy to submit. After completing the form, you can e-transfer your $40 fee. Contact Nicole or anyone on the executive team for the email address to send it to.

PLANtoWIN.ca August Training Plans for Squash Players

We hope everyone is getting outdoors and enjoying all your off-season activities. But, before we know it, the regular season will be here. To be fully prepared to play your best this September, you might be interested levelling up your fitness.

But as many squash players know, it’s not easy to find specific fitness training for squash. To address this, Squash Ontario has partnered with PLANtoWIN.ca to offer professional strength and conditioning training plans designed for squash players.

What to Expect from PLANtoWIN.ca Training Plans

  • Custom Workout Calendar: Tailored to fit individual schedules.
  • Fitness Testing: Conducted at the start and end of the plan to track improvements.
  • Weekly Planning: Helps organize efforts and eliminate confusion.
  • Workouts: Two per week, tailored to specific goals, easy to understand, and supported by video instructions.
  • Guaranteed Results: Plans are backed by over 20 years of experience.

Every training plan is hosted on TeamBuildr, the top online Strength & Conditioning platform for athletes and coaches.

Training Plan Details

  • Cost: $49.99 + HST for Squash Ontario members (35% off retail value).
  • Time Frame: August training plans run from August 4-31, 2024.
  • Training Plan Options:
    • Core Strength (mat recommended)
    • Bodyweight Strength & Power (no equipment needed)
    • Stability & Balance (no equipment needed)
    • Interval Cardio Conditioning (various equipment options)
    • Solo Foundation (on court, racquet and ball; instruction and demo by Nick Sachvie)

FAQs

How to choose a training plan?
After signing up and once the registration deadline passes, PLANtoWIN.ca will send an email within 48 hours to select a specific training plan.

Workout schedule and flexibility:
Workout calendars are customized to fit weekly schedules. If a workout is missed, it can be completed on another day within the week.

Accessing the training plans:
Plans can be accessed via mobile app, web-browser, or printed through a TeamBuildr account. Daily emails with the plan will also be sent.

Guaranteed results:
The plans are supported by extensive experience. If the program is completed as designed and results are not seen, a refund will be provided.

Support for questions:
Coach Derek can be contacted via the app or email, with responses within 24 hours.

Multiple training plans:
Multiple plans can be followed, though not as part of this Squash Ontario offering. Contact Derek Vandenbrink for more information.

Custom training plans:
Custom plans are available; contact Derek Vandenbrink for details.

Sign Up Now

Every squash player deserves a great training plan. For those interested in taking their game to the next level, to learn more about the squash specific fitness training plans on the Squash Ontario site.

🎉 What a Night at the Pickering Squash Club Annual Banquet! 🎉

We had an absolute blast at this year’s Pickering Squash Club annual banquet! With a fantastic turnout, our 70’s themed party was a night to remember. Members and friends showed up in their best 70’s disco and groovy attire. So much fun!

The evening was filled with food, refreshing drinks, and an awesome DJ who kept everyone on their feet with groovy 70’s music all night long. Our event committee headed up by SJ did an awesome job. We celebrated our amazing Pickering Squash community with awards, door prizes, and plenty of dancing. What a great end to a great season!

Check out our gallery of pictures from the night and don’t miss the video highlights on Instagram!

Thanks to Ron Delavigne, Hazel and Carol for the fantastic pictures.


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🎉 Congratulations to Carol Reilly: Winner of the 2023/2024 Chris Doona Memorial Award! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that Carol Reilly has been awarded the prestigious Chris Doona Memorial Award for the year 2023/2024. This award holds a special place in our hearts as it honors the memory of Chris Doona, one of the four founding members of the Pickering Squash Club. Chris, along with Rosemary Aiken, Rod Ryde, and Vinard Parmar, had a vision in 1985 that has grown into a thriving home for squash players from Pickering and the east GTA for over 32 years. Sadly, Chris was taken from us far too soon, and in 1993, we established the Chris Doona Memorial Award to commemorate his service and dedication to our club.

Carol Reilly being presented with the Chris Doona award from the Pickering Squash Club

The award was presented at the Pickering Squash Club’s 70’s themed annual banguet.

The Chris Doona Memorial Award is presented annually to the individual who best exemplifies the spirit of the Pickering Squash Club. This person has unselfishly contributed their time and efforts over many years to help make the club what it is today. The award is voted on by previous winners and is presented each year at our annual award banquet.

Carol Reilly is a true embodiment of the Pickering Squash Club spirit. As a longtime supporter and former captain of the women’s squash D team for many years, Carol has shown incredible dedication by driving her team to matches, communicating vital information, and fostering a sense of community and care both for the team as individuals and as a whole. Her involvement in doubles squash has brought joy and fun to the court, and she has been an invaluable help with the club’s tournaments.

One member beautifully summed up Carol’s impact, noting that her enthusiasm and welcoming personality generate excitement for the game and encourage both new players and existing singles players to try out doubles. Her warm and friendly demeanor, great sense of humor, and generosity make her a beloved figure in our club.

Please join us in congratulating Carol Reilly on this well-deserved honor!


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Court Closures in June: New Carpet!

Courts will be closed on the following dates for carpet installation:

  1. June 3 and 4 – both doubles squash courts closed all day
  2. June 5 and 6 – courts 1 and 2 closed all day
  3. June 7 squash courts 3 – 6 and racquetball courts 7 – 8 closed all day

Please note: for any of our squash members that also play racquetball, as of Wednesday, June 26 through until Sunday, September 8 racquetball court #7 will be unavailable for booking.

Racquetball court #8 will remain available for bookings throughout the summer.

Champions of the Winter Squash Doubles House League at Pickering!

The Winter Squash Doubles House League at Pickering has concluded, and we are thrilled to announce the champions of our three competitive divisions. This season has been marked by intense matches and unforgettable moments on the court. Let’s take a moment to recognize and celebrate our winners!

Division 1: Kevin and Eric

Division 2: Marc and Winston

Division 3: Shane and Jackie

A Season to Remember

This season of the Winter Squash Doubles House League has been truly memorable, thanks to all the participants who displayed great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Every match was a testament to the passion and dedication of our players. We are proud of everyone who competed and contributed to making our doubles league a success.

Thank You to Our Supporters

A special thank you goes out to Jim who managed all the schedules, details and various complaints and request. Your contributions have been invaluable, and we appreciate your continued support of the Pickering squash community.

As we celebrate our winners, we look forward to more exciting seasons ahead. Congratulations once again to Kevin and Eric, Marc and Winston, and Shane and Jackie! Here’s to more thrilling matches and unforgettable moments in the future.

Keep practicing, stay competitive, and see you all on the court!


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🏆🥇 Tonight: Division 1 Doubles House League Showdown! 🥇🏆

Get ready for an epic showdown as Raj and Sameer go head-to-head against Kevin and Eric for the ultimate House League bragging rights this season! The action kicks off at 6 pm, so be sure to come out and witness the excitement firsthand. Plus, stay tuned for updates on the Division Three Finals, which will be scheduled soon—these two matches mark the thrilling conclusion of the season!

But wait, there’s more:

Last week, we had a blast at the Shindig fun tournament from Wednesday to Saturday! The courts were buzzing with energy as players competed in spirited matches and enjoyed the camaraderie of the game. Keep an eye out for upcoming pictures capturing the highlights of the tournament.

And let’s not forget about the Saturday banquet—it was an unforgettable evening filled with dancing and 70’s style vibes! It was fantastic to see so many people dressed up and having a great time. Thank you to everyone who made it such a memorable event!

See you on the courts and keep an eye out for those pictures!


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