AUSTRALIA
While the squads for the Women’s World Team Championship will be officially published tomorrow, a few countries have already announced their line-up, such as Australia. Despite no longer being the most powerful nation in women’s squash – they hold the record for the highest number of WWTC titles – the Aussies will rely on a combination of experience and youth to try and break into the top 4 again.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Australia was the dominant force of women’s squash in the 90’s as well as early 2000’s. Michelle Martin, Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Carol Owens – all former world number 1 – won numerous World Opens, as well as 4 consecutive World Team Championships between 1992 and 1998 (with the help of former world number 2 Robyn Lambourne and Liz Irving). Despite Martin and Irving’s retirement (as well as Owens becoming a New-Zealander), the Aussie girls remained on top thanks to the emergence of the Grinham’s sisters, winning in 2002 and ’04. But with Rachael’s absence (due to a falling out with officials after the 2006 Commonwealth Games) and Natalie switching to Dutch nationality, they went through a difficult period, dropping out of top 4 for the first time in the history of the event (in 2006 and ’08).
That’s when Sarah Fitz-Gerald decided to come out of retirement. “I put my name forward because I had been playing quite a lot – and well enough to earn a position in the team, she said to us (read full interview). I felt I had something to offer the Australian team to change that. It turns out we were fortunate enough to win that year… It was absolutely amazing to represent my country again and win another world team title after so many years away.” With Rachael Grinham back in the team, as well as Donna Urquhart and Kasey Brown, they beat England in the final in New-Zealand. After finishing fourth in France in 2012, Australia unsurprisingly struggled two years ago in Canada (7th), with Brown’s retirement and Urquhart’s serious injury not long before the event. Urquhart is back in the team alongside Rachael Grinham, as well as Christine Nunn and debutant Tamika Saxby. Although the competition will be fierce in Paris, they will surely hope to do improve their last result.
Photo credit: Tecnifibre
INTERVIEW WITH … MICHELLE MARTIN
A few weeks before the event, we had a chat with Australia’s coach Michelle Martin (former world number 1, world champion and WWTC winner – both as a player and as a coach).
Hi Michelle. Could you tell us what your team’s preparation will be like before the event?
Michelle Martin: The girls are preparing in their own way. They are currently playing events around the world and we will come together a few days prior to the event in France (Rachael Grinham and Donna Urquhart will play in the Monte Carlo Open the week before)?
You’ve won the WWTC numerous times, as a player and a coach. I suppose this is an event you particularly like, don’t you?
As a player I was always proud to represent my country. Australia was in a very strong era and our team played well together. As a coach it is very different, since you have no control over the players in their preparation. They all are individual players with their own coaches and are well versed in preparing for international competition. My role is really to manage the team to the best possible position we can achieve, and assist the girls in their match play where possible (in the Dutch team presentation, former Australia’s player Natalie Grinham praised Michelle Martin’s management, saying she was “the best team coach/manager I’ve had. She had good rules, which made sure we were professional yet able to enjoy every moment. I try to do the same thing with the Dutch team.”)
Photo credit: www.squashplayer.co.uk
Australia finished seventh two years ago, which is one of your lowest recent results. Have you set up a clear goal in terms of final ranking for this year’s event?
As a team the players are all trying their hardest to achieve the best outcome for each match. The overall final ranking will be a picture of our performance during the week. We are always trying to achieve our best possible result.
What is the current situation of women’s squash in Australia? Your country was the dominant force in the 90’s, do you see some promising youngsters coming up?
Australian Squash has changed in dynamics since I was at the top. We have a lot of obstacles facing our sport in the country – lack of facilities being one – and this impacts the overall base of players available. Like every country in most sports, we all go through highs and lows. We are endeavouring to build for our future teams with our younger players like Tamika Saxby breaking into the team for the first time. We hope to build on and develop players underneath her to create strength in our system once again.
TEAM FACTS
Australia’s result in 2014 WWTC
Seventh
Australia’s best result in WWTC
Champions in 1981, 1983, 1994, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004 and 2010
PLAYER FACTS
RACHAEL GRINHAM
39 years old … #19 in the world (November 2016) … Highest world ranking 1 from August 2004 to November 2005 … Won 34 titles on the professional tour … 2007 World Champion … 2007 and 2009 British Open Champion… Belonged to the top 5 for 106 consecutive months between 2003 and 2011 … 2002, 2004 and 2010 Women’s World Team Champion … 2014 Australian National Champion … 2006 Commonwealth Games runner-up (singles) … 2006 Commonwealth Games Champion (doubles) … 2014 Commonwealth Games Champion (mixed doubles) … 2004 and 2006 Mixed World Doubles Champion… 2004 World Doubles Champion… 1993 World Junior Champion… 1993 and 1995 World Junior Team Champion.
DONNA URQUHART
Photo credit: www.psaworldtour.com
29 years old … #21 in the world (November 2016) … Highest world ranking 13 in May-July and October-November 2011 … Won 9 titles on the professional tour … 2011 Cayman Islands Open semi-finalist (World Series) … 2009 Australian National Champion … 2010 Women’s World Team Champion … 2016 World Doubles Championship runner-up … 2003 World Junior Team Championship runner-up.
CHRISTINE NUNN
25 years old … #44 in the world (November 2016) … Highest world ranking 36 in July 2016 … Won 3 titles on the professional tour … Played for Australia in the 2014 Women’s World Team Championship.
TAMIKA SAXBY
23 years old … #52 in the world (November 2016, highest world ranking) … Won 5 titles on the professional tour … 2012 Australian Junior Open Champion … 2011 British Junior Open semi-finalist … Played for Australia in the 2014 Women’s World Team Championship.
Source : www.squashinfo.com
More info on
http://www.squash.org.au/
