Katikati Squash Ladies Fundraise $11,000 to Reach Nationals

Nine women from the Katikati Squash Club C and D grade teams are working hard to raise $11,000 so they can travel to national championships in the South Island in mid-September. The C grade ladies won their division at the Bay of Plenty District Teams event on 11–13 July, earning the right to represent the Bay of Plenty at the National C Grade Championship in Dunedin from 10–14 September. A separate D grade team, formed in partnership with Putaruru, will head to the National D Grade Championship in Invercargill over the same period. With flights, ground transport, accommodation, a coach and a manager to cover, the cost comes to roughly $1,000 per person.

The C grade squad includes Dale Brown, Kelly Connelly, Janine Williamson, Kay Shaw, Bobbette Tanner, Laura Young and her 14-year-old daughter Emma Young. Laura's other daughters — Kendall, 16, and twin Melanie, 14 — are part of the D grade team, making this something of a whānau occasion for the club. Coach Braden Brewer, who was part of Katikati's B grade men's team that won nationals in 2017, says the women's fitness will be the key factor when they come up against what are effectively lower-B grade opponents at the C grade level.

To reach their fundraising goal the club has lined up three upcoming events. On 10 August there is a one-day ladies' tournament at the club ($30 entry); a Quiz Night on 23 August from 6pm offers tables of six for $240, including a three-course meal, prizes, raffles and auctions; and on 31 August a one-day doubles tournament opens to all players at $30 a head. Anyone wishing to donate or contribute prizes can contact the club directly. Tickets for the Quiz Night are available at www.katikatisquash.org/quiznight.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).