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.

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.

Join Us for the Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts Naming Ceremony, Saturday, April 27th at noon!

Invitation to the Naming Ceremony of the Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Court April 27, 2024 at noon in the doubles courts.

Dear Squash Community,

We cordially invite you to join us for the special naming ceremony of our Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts.

For those who may not have had the privilege of knowing Ian, he was a visionary who understood the importance of doubles squash and its benefits, especially for aging squash players.

Ian Parsons

His “Doubles Vision” project was a testament to his dedication, spanning over ten years of fundraising efforts, with a $250,000 contribution from the Pickering Squash Club to the City, planning, and construction. In 2009, his vision became a reality with the opening of the doubles courts. Ian Parsons was not only a beloved member of our club but also a true leader who left an indelible mark on our squash community.

Today, thanks to Ian’s vision, the doubles courts are bustling with activity and the game is growing. The Pickering Squash Club hosts various tournaments, leagues, OSDL matches, and fun events, including our upcoming Shin-Dig tournaments starting this week. We are all able to enjoy the game and its numerous health benefits because of Ian’s dedication and foresight.

Ian was not only a visionary but also a wonderful, caring, and compassionate individual who is deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Along with Ian’s family, friends, City Council and our members, please join us at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (in the doubles court viewing area) on Sat. April 27th at 12:00 noon for this very special event in naming our very own Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts

Your presence would mean a great deal to us as we pay tribute to Ian’s legacy and celebrate his invaluable contributions to our squash community.


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🏆🥇 A Week Packed with Squash Excitement!🥇🏆

Get ready for an action-packed week ahead at the squash club, with a lineup of events that’s sure to keep you on your toes! It’s all about doubles this week as we dive into the heart of the playoffs and celebrate the incredible contributions of one of our own.

Here’s what’s in store:

  • Monday, April 22nd: Division 1 Squash Doubles House League Semi-Finals kick off the week with intense matches and fierce competition. Don’t miss the showdown as our top teams battle it out for a spot in the finals! Teams will be playing at 6pm and 7pm.
  • Tuesday, April 25th, the top two teams in our Division 2 doubles house league will battle it out for first place. Dayan and Shan will play against Mark and Winston.
  • Wednesday, April 24th – Saturday, April 27th: The highly anticipated super-fun Shin-dig Doubles Squash Tournament takes center stage, promising four days of thrilling matches and friendly competition. Matches begin Wednesday at 5:30 and will continue to about 9pm.
  • Saturday, April 27th: It’s a day filled with festivities as we honor the legacy of Ian Parsons with the naming ceremony of the Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts at noon. Later in the evening, join us for the annual banquet at Drums ‘n Flats for dinner, drinks, and celebrations with our fellow squash enthusiasts and friends.

But wait, there’s more:

  • Monday, April 29th: Division 1 Squash Doubles House League Finals mark the culmination of an exciting season of competition, where the top teams will battle it out for the championship title.
  • Wednesday, May 1st: The excitement continues for Division 3 Squash Doubles House League as they play their Finals, rounding off our week of squash celebrations.

And don’t forget:

  • Mondays: If you’re into singles squash, come join us for the drop-in round-robin matches every Monday night. It’s a great way to stay active and connect with fellow players.

With such a busy and exciting week ahead, there’s something for everyone at the squash club. We can’t wait to see you on the courts and celebrate the spirit of squash together!

🏆🥇 Division 1 Squash Doubles House League Semi-Finals – Monday, April 22nd 🥇🏆

As some of you know, our Division one teams are made up of some of the clubs best doubles players. With the stakes higher than ever, our top teams are poised to battle it out on the courts for a shot at the house league championship title.

Here are the matchups for the semi-finals:

Court 1 – 6:00 PM:

  • First Place vs Fourth Place:
    • Raj and Sameer vs Steve and Rick

Court 2 – 6:00 PM:

  • Second Place vs Third Place:
    • Jonathan and Savio vs Kevin and Eric

Court 1 – 7:00 PM:

  • Fifth Place vs Eighth Place:
    • Mike and Eric vs Fred and Mark

Court 2 – 7:00 PM:

  • Sixth Place vs Seventh Place:
    • Roger and Devon vs Trevor and Dom

It’s sure to be an evening filled with intense matches, nail-biting rallies, and fierce competition as our teams vie for a spot in the finals. Don’t miss out on the excitement!

And mark your calendars for the finals on Monday, April 29th, where the top contenders will face off for the ultimate title.


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2024 Shin-Dig Tournament Draw and Rules

Dear Participants,

Welcome to the highly anticipated Shin-dog Doubles Squash Tournament!

Below you will find your time for your first round match, which begins for everyone on Wednesday. Each participant has been assigned a partner for the duration of the tournament. Everyone will play a minimum of 3 matches over 4 days (Wed.-Sat).  Draw sheets are posted by the doubles courts so you can have a look. 

Please be on time for your match as it will be a tight schedule.  If you cannot make your match, please see the sub list below, ask a friend to fill in for you or ask another player at a similar level to play.  Do your very best to find your own sub!   

Shin-Dig Rules

* Games are best of 5
* First game – score starts at zero/zero
* Second game – losing team starts with 3 points and the serve!!
* Third game – losing team from second game gets 3 point handicap and
the serve (ie; 6/0 or 0/0)
* Etc. etc.

Wednesday Draw

Game 1

Steve D & Darryl S
Wed. 6:30 PM
Dayan & Jackie

Game 2

Savio & Naveen
Wed. 5:30 PM
Winston & Caryn R

Game 3

Devon & Gurjit
Wed. 7:15 PM
Anderson & David S

Game 4

Alison & Sunil
Wed. 8:00 PM
Roger & Raj

Game 5

Celine & Dan
Wed. 7:15 PM
Terry & Ashwin

Game 6

Dom & Carol
Wed. 8:00 PM
Kitt & Jason P

Game 7

Jonathan & Sorin
Wed. 5:30 PM
Vince & John K

Game 8

Sara-Jane & Nav
Wed. 6:30 PM
Sameer & Max

Subs:

  • Jim
  • Wayne
  • Hazel

Exciting Events Ahead – Mark Your Calendars!

Get ready for an action-packed few weeks filled with thrilling events that you won’t want to miss!

Doubles “Shin-Dig” Tournament:

Join us from Wednesday, April 26th to Saturday, April 29th for our doubles “Shin-Dig” tournament! We’ll kick off the evening matches with paired-up teams, ensuring a level playing field for everyone. If you would like to participate, simply shoot Nicole a quick email, and you’ll be added to the list while we still have space!

Our Annual Banquet!

Celebration at Drums ‘N Flats. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 27th, as we gather at Drums ‘N Flats for an unforgettable celebration! Enjoy a delightful evening with our fellow squash player, filled with dinner, drinks, live music, and fantastic prizes. Bring a friend or your significant other! Tickets are just $25 each, so let us know if you’d like to secure your spot!

Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts Naming Ceremony

Join us on Saturday, April 27th, at 12:00 noon for the official renaming ceremony of our Doubles Squash Courts to the Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts.  Please come out and show your appreciation for all of Ian’s hard work and dedication to build these courts for our club.  

Monday Night Drop-In Round Robin

Although our singles house league has concluded, the fun doesn’t stop there! Join us for our Monday night drop-in round robin starting this week, from 6:30 to 7:30. No need to sign up in advance—simply show up and enjoy some friendly competition!

We’re looking forward to seeing you at these exciting events as we celebrate the spirit of squash and camaraderie within our community.

Thank You For the Donation

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you VERY MUCH to all who have donated so generously with food and funds to the St Paul’s on the Hill Food Bank, located on Pickering Parkway, serving the needs of many families across the City of Pickering and Town of Ajax. We are extremely pleased to inform you this past Friday Dec 08 we delivered 2 full large containers (approx 250 pounds) of the various food types, along with over $1,200 in cheques (estimate total $1,500 including direct e-transfers) in funds to the food bank. On behalf of Lindsey Morrill (Food Bank Director), Rick D’Souza and myself (Pickering Squash Club), a sincere THANK YOU for your continued support of our community in need. 

Best of the season, happy holidays and Merry Christmas to you and loved ones. 

Kind regards,

Rick D’Souza & Fred Dizig

Pickering Squash Club