The Cayman Islands National Squash Association is gearing up for the annual crowing of the National Champions, with the 2010 Massive Nationals beginning on February 20th.

Over 120 participants are expected in the more important tournament on Cayman’s squash calendar, with men’s and women’s A, B and C grades, Vets and doubles. Massive have been involved in the sponsorship of the squash championships for years. Massive Director Tina Kirkaldy, a keen squash player herself was delighted to be a part of the 2010 event. “?We’re very pleased to again support this event and help stage such an important tournament.

The Mens’ championships is expected to be a battle between reigning champion Dean Watson and youngsters Cameron Stafford and Jake Kelly. Stafford and Kelly were the finalists in the 2009 Club Championships, but have yet to beat Watson in a major tournament.

2009 Women’s champion Marlene West is the hot favourite to win her 7th title. More information is available at www.squash.ky.

Photo:Cameron Stafford (r) and Dean Watson are favourites for the 2010 Massive National Squash Championships.

Massive National Squash Championships 2010

* February 20-26
* Minimum 3 matches
* ‘Monrad’ System (all places are played out)
* $35 including finals dinner and shirt
* Dready Shirt included (with squash players)
* Glass inscribed trophies for all grades

Grades:
* Open / A
* B
* C
* Vets (40+)
* Super Vets (50+) men only
* Doubles
* Open grade is available to players of ANY level (as Johnny Mac used to do with the old tournaments). If you lose your first round match you go into B or C grade. This means everyone on island has the opportunity to be National Champion.

Over 150 juniors from throughout the Caribbean region will participate in the event from 10-17 July.

Cayman hosted the 2009 Senior Caribbean Championships. Cayman came second overall and the event was hailed as the best organised CASA event.

Tournament organisers Dan

Current Caribbean U19 #1 Cameron Stafford (right)

Kneipp & Dean Watson will be looking for companies soon to be part of this major event.

2009 Cayman Senior Team - #2 in the Caribbean

The 2010 Senior Caribbean Squash Championships will be played in St Vincent in August.

The 2009 Senior CASA was hosted by the Cayman Islands at SSSC and was hailed as the best event ever. Cayman’s Vets won the Caribbean title, with the Women coming 2nd and the men coming 3rd. Cayman came 2nd overall.

Team training for players interested and eligible has begun on Friday mornings from 6:30 – 8am with Dan Kneipp

Round 3 of the TeleCayman Squash Business League was played last night at South Sound Squash Club.

Reigning A champions Alphasoft suffered a rare and close defeat. With a matchfit Marlene West back with Samson & McGrath the team is the favourite to win for the season. Their #2 player Shaun Geils broke his finger over the weekend, putting his squash career on hold for months. So Samson put in a different team tonight, using Jackie Ridgeway and Myron Blair. Barrel and Myron went on first, with Barrel playing some good squash and nearly winning the 3rd game, but eventually going down 3-0. This left Wazza having to beat Jackie 3-0 for the team to have a chance. These two always have great matches, and tonight was easily the best, with Jackie finally able to take a well earned game off Wazza. She lost in 4, but her game helped Samson & McGrath win 2-1.

Maples had a good match against BDO, with Scott Macdonald able to take a game off David Finch, but Finch and Glen Trenouth got their team across the line, both winning in 4.

The last time Aon1 played the Caribbean Champs Dan Maclean came back from being behind 10-2 in the 5th game against Fernando Beckles to win the match. They showed that they’re still very evenly matched, this time Beckles winning 11-8 in the 5th. Nick Buckley had a 3-1 victory over Jody Jervis who wasn’t playing his best squash.

A Grade
BDO beat Maples 3-0
Samson & McGrath beat Alphasoft 2-1
Caribbean Champs beat Aon 3-0

In B Grade Charlie’s Angels had a tough encounter against Krys/EFG, but both Charlie and Greg R-P were able to win in 4, leaving Simon Cawdery and Simon Nock to reevaluate how they’re going to defend their 2009 title.

New comers Advanced Chevy had a close battle with Cayman Physio. Cayman Physio’s David Bridgeman squeezed a 11-9 victory over Sergio, and along with Lindsay’s 3-1 victory over Natalie Lawson the team won through.

B Grade
Charlie’s Angels beat Krys / EFG Bank 3-0
Admiral beat Deloitte 3-0
Cayman Physio beat Advanced Chevy

In C Grade Barlo Maclean stepped in as a late replacement for Aon and put up a great fight against TeleCayman’s Val, but wasn’t able to take a game. Tom Kinstler is showing that he’s one of the players to beat in C grade this season, winning a good match again Aon’s Werner Pistorius, giving TeleCayman a comfortable 3-0 team victory.

Aon3 are already showing great improvement and are doing very well for a new team. They were up against a dramatically improving Cayman27, who won, but had some close games.

C Grade
TeleCayman beat Aon2 3-0
Digicel beat Cayman Airways 3-0
Cayman27 beat Aon3 3-0

Results after Round 3

Cayman27's Jason Harper (L) on his way to victory over Aon3's Richard Marian

More details coming soon, including a new sponsor.