2018 HNHS School Magazine HNHS Magazine 2018 | Page 75

Squash Boys & Girls
Back Row:
Toby Evans, Oscar Field, Ryan Miller
Front Row:
Drew Olsen, Oscar Treadwell, Jena Gregory, Liam Wilcock, Jude Snee
Squash
Wales, Queensland and then a combined Australian team.
This event alternates between squash clubs in New Zealand,
New South Wales and Queensland. Each area has a team of
20 and then at a dinner on the last night the top five for each
section get chosen to play New Zealand in the test match
on the final day. During this tournament you play seven
matches of individuals and three matches of doubles, all
across the four day timespan. For two years I have been
part of this team as the junior girls number two and the
junior girls number one. The Aussies bring their A games
and it’s always tough to push through for the win. Each year
they get stronger but luckily for the past seven years New
Zealand has finished with the win. The best part about going
to this tournament, whether it’s in New Zealand or Australia
is travelling, staying and spending time with the team. It’s
always a great experience and so much fun.
The squash season of 2018 was the very last season for my
teammates and I. We had been playing since year 10, and
have enjoyed nearly every moment of it. 2018 was the end
of a great era of social squash for my team. Practicing on a
Sunday and playing on a Monday were embedded as weekly
rituals during term two for the past four years.
We always came into our games with a laid-back and relaxed
mindset, as our goals were to enjoy our time together and
participate in a sport we all enjoyed. We have grown a lot
as a team, and have had our share of ups and downs during
our time. We may have never won the title of best team, nor
the worst; but what we did gain was an amazing journey, in
which we shared as we improved and practised every week.
Drew Olsen
Jena Gregory
I have played squash for the school for three years now
and it has led to many new and great opportunities. I have
played school squash on a Monday which has led to me to
the New Zealand Secondary School Squash tournament in
Palmerston North. This tournament brings the best squash
players from schools all around New Zealand to represent
themselves, their teams and their schools as well as they can.
Both years I have been in my team we’ve placed better than
our seeding and everyone got the chance to play some tough
and challenging matches. Each year, the teams get stronger
and the matches get harder so being a team tournament it’s
helpful having the players from your team supporting you
and cheering you on.
At the end of this tournament 20 players are chosen (five
junior girls, five junior boys, five senior girls, five senior
boys) to represent New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman
Secondary School Squash tournament against New South
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