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This past season opener was an amazing experience for the Pickering Squash Club as we hosted the 2024 Heidelberg Materials Ontario Championships, Presented by NFP Canada. Players from across the province came together for a memorable weekend filled with exciting matches and great camaraderie. From intense singles matches in the Men’s and Women’s divisions to high-energy doubles play in the Harvest Hit tournament, it was an event that truly celebrated the competitive spirit of squash.

Heidelberg Materials, the Title Sponsor at this year’s Ontario Championships, along with NFP Canada, Squash Ontario, and the Pickering Squash Club with our dedicated volunteers made this tournament possible. Their support allowed us to provide players with an amazing tournament experience, complete with fun extras like a tournament top, Friday night pizza, Saturday lunch, and generous prize money for the Open divisions.

Special Spotlight: The Women’s Social and Seminar

This year, supported by Heidelberg Materials, we were especially excited to host the Women’s Social and Seminar, an event that brought together female players for a discussion on “Competing in Squash.”

Led by Marci Sier and a panel featuring top competitors Hollie Naughton, Nadia Luttmer, and Vanessa Steinwall, this seminar offered valuable insights into managing performance anxiety and maintaining mental focus. As part of our commitment to increase women’s participation in squash, this social event marked a meaningful step forward in bridging the gender gap within the sport.

Although squash has often led the way in supporting female athletes, we’re aware that Ontario’s recent participation numbers show 2.5 male players for every female player. It’s our mission to create welcoming spaces and events that encourage more women to join, compete, and thrive in the game.

For a more detailed look at the tournament and the Women’s Social, read the full article on Squash Ontario’s website.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this tournament a success! We look forward to seeing more of you on the courts throughout the season.

The tournament results and photos of the champions are displayed below – congratulations to all participants on a fantastic start to the 2024/2025 squash season!

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ABOUT Heidelberg materials

Heidelberg Materials is excited to be supporting Squash Ontario and is delighted to be the Title Sponsor at this year’s Ontario Championships.

Heidelberg Materials is one of the world’s largest building materials companies and operates on five continents. Our products are used for the construction of houses, infrastructure, and commercial and industrial facilities, thus meeting the demands of a growing world population for housing, mobility, and economic development.  Learn more about Heidelberg Materials.

ABOUT NFP CANADA

We are excited to share that NFP will officially partner with Squash Ontario in the 2024-2025 season as a Corporate Partner and Presenting Sponsor of the 2024 Ontario Championships. This partnership will continue to offer the 15% home and auto insurance discount to Squash Ontario members and in exchange, they will be supporting Squash Ontario events and contributing to the Lee Hanebury Junior Squash Fund. To learn more about the discount program, please visit Squash Ontario’s Membership webpage.

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Please read below for our 2024 Champions, runners-up, and 3rd place finishers.

Draws

The Pickering Squash Club in partnership with Squash Ontario is welcoming competitors to our annual Harvest Hit Doubles Tournament and the 2024 Heidelberg Materials Ontario Championships Presented by NFP Canada starting this evening, October 25, 2024!

We have an extremely packed schedule this weekend with no open court time, so are asking competitors to please arrive early for your matches so we can stay on time.

All winners will be expected to referee the next match on their court, unless told otherwise by a volunteer or Nicole. 

Start times can be found in your welcome email. Draws were posted Thursday under the draws tab on Clublocker for each tournament this weekend.

If you are running late or unable to make a match, it is extremely important you let Nicole know ahead of time so she can inform your opponent. Please see the welcome email for her contact information.

Scheduled Events:

Friday: Squash Matches 5:00pm – 9:30pm

There will be snacks and of course drinks served at the bar in the doubles court area. Craft 360 is our beer/cooler sponsor for the weekend so you can redeem your drink ticket for a Craft 360 beverage at the bar located in the doubles squash courts. We have a cash bar only for the weekend and all alcoholic drinks are $5, please bring some cash.                     

Saturday: Squash Matches 9:00am – 9:00pm

Lunch 12:00pm – 2:30pm, lunch will be served on the second floor outside the singles courts viewing area. 

Saturday Women’s Social and Mental Toughness Seminar – Meeting rooms 1 & 2 (upper level) – 4:30-5:30 pm

We will be hosting a complimentary women’s seminar and panel discussion hosted by Marci Sier who is a squash coach and Certified Mental Performance Consultant, in Sport and Performance Psychology.  Our panel members include Hollie Naughton (PSA World # 20), Vanessa Steinwall, and Nadia Luttmer.  Topics will include: how to deal with nerves and how to create a positive mindset surrounding nerves, as well as the benefits of competition and the squash community!

Sunday: Squash Matches 8:45am – 4:00pm, Presentation and Awards to follow

Extra Notes: We do not have a restaurant facility at our club so please pack extra snacks! We will be serving lunch on Saturdaybut if you have specific dietary requirements, please pack your own lunch. There are plenty of eateries near the club. Our club alongside with Squash Ontario has worked very hard to give everyone a great tournament experience and we are looking forward to a fun weekend of squash, social and of course some great competition! There is no towel service at our club so please bring your own towel.

With thanks to title sponsor Heidelberg Materials and presenting sponsor NFP Canada, we trust you will have a great tournament experience.

What’s more? With thanks to Squash Ontario’s partnership with NFP Canada, Squash Ontario members can enjoy discounted home and auto insurance.  Feel free to stop by the NFP booth throughout the weekend, or reach out to [email protected] to get a quote!

Thanks and good luck,

Nicole Pirko (Tournament Chair)

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

The Fall Singles House League and the Fall Doubles House Leagues Schedules are now posted on the Website. Refer to the menu (above) and click on the appropriate link.

Singles House League Schedule

Doubles House League Schedules and Results

As of January 31st, the Chestnut Hills Development Recreation Complex (CHDRC) is again open for use by members. We are back to the 50% capacity scenario and will remain there until February 21st at the earliest.

Click Here to view the Memo from the City of Pickering regarding re-0pening.

The Pickering Squash Club is working hard to get programs back on track as soon as we can. Watch for announcements regarding House Leagues, Interclub Play and social events in the near future.