JUNIOR SQUASH COMPETITIONS – 101
AN INTRODUCTORY GUIDE FOR PLAYERS AND PARENTS ABOUT TO PLAY COMPETITIONS IN SCOTLAND
INTRODUCTION
This guide is for all parents, but is particularly written for those parents and players in our recreational programme. It hopefully gives an idea of what to expect if you have limited experience of entering junior squash competitions. Parents please note, you are responsible for entering events, and travel to and from the event, not the coach. If you’re not sure about entering an event, remember you can ask your coach!
FRIENDLY WARNING: For those new to tournaments – this could be a rollercoaster experience! Emotions always run high, for both players and parents! However, these competitions are a great way for players to learn about controlling their emotions, building self-confidence, and persisting to achieve a goal. It can be a rocky journey, but the rewards can be high! 🙂
BRONZE EVENTS
Who Should Enter?
These events are the first step on the Scottish Squash competitive programme. Players with between 0 – 2 years experience of playing should enter these events. Entrants normally belong to same region as the host club, although players from adjoining regions are welcome to enter as well.
Size, Format and Timing
On average, 10 – 40 entrants enter these events, which normally last one day. Matches normally start at around 10:00 am. If all goes well, the day finshes around 4:00 PM. The events are most often mixed and ability graded, and will be either a round robin or monrad format. The number of courts available and size of entry normally determines the format and timings of the tournament.
Matches are most often timed (e.g. 10 minutes) or best of three games (to either 11 or 15 points).
Refereeing
Players and volunteers are needed to referee at these events. They are an opportunity for juniors to learn and practise how to referee/ mark. If a parent is confident refereeing/ marking they will be welcome to help out!
Parents and coaches can spectate and support/ coach between games at Scottish Squash junior squash competitions.
Ranking Points
If the event is on SportyHQ, you will receive ranking points for playing (Bronze events have a 0.25 multiplier).
SILVER EVENTS
Who Should Enter?
These events are the second tier on the Scottish Squash competitive pathway, and are more challenging than Bronze events. Players with over 12 months experience of competition should consider entering these events.
Size, Format and Timing
Normally 40 – 60 players enter Silver events. The events are often mixed male and female, and ability-graded instead of age-graded. Players from other regions often enter these events, although the main entry is normally from the host region.
Matches are normally best of five games, point-a-rally scoring to 11 points.
These events can be either junior only or mixed junior/ senior. Silver events are normally two day events, held over a Saturday and Sunday. The matches normally start at around 10:00 am. If everything goes to plan, the day will finish around 5:00 pm.
Players are required to be available to play on both days, playing one, two or even three matches on each day (depends on the size of draw and any withdrawals).
Most squash tournaments try to give players three hours rest between matches (although this isn’t guaranteed).
You can ask the event organiser to change the time of a match. Normally however, this is difficult to acccomodate, as afternoon matches depend on the results of morning matches.
Refereeing
Designated referees normally attend Silver events. Players will need to referee a match when asked to.
Parents and coaches can spectate/ coach between games at junior squash competitions.
Ranking Points
If the event is on SportyHQ, you will receive ranking points for playing (silver events have 0.5 multiplier).
GOLD EVENTS
Who Should Enter?
Gold events are national level events run by Scottish Squash. Players looking to compete against the best players in their age group, and players hopeful of representing Scotland should play these events.
Size, Format and Timing
On average, 70 – 80 players enter Gold events, and only juniors are allowed to enter. Boys and girls play in different age category events, specifically Under 11/ 13/ 15/ 17 and 19. Unlike some sports, players MUST be literally younger than the event age, for the entire duration of the tournament. So, for example, a player aged 14 on both days of the tournament will enter the Under 15 event. However, a player must play in the older age group if he turns 15 on the Sunday.
Matches are best of five games, point-a-rally scoring to 11 points.
All Gold events run over two days, normally a Saturday and Sunday. The matches normally start around 9:30 am, with the younger age groups often being earlier. If everything goes to plan, the day will finish around 5:00 pm. Your matches will be sometime in between those times, and you have to be able to play at your scheduled match time.
Match times really depend on the number of courts available, number of players entered, and any withdrawals.
Event organisers normally try to give around three hours rest between matches (although this isn’t guaranteed).
Entrants play matches on both days, ranging from one match on a day to up to three matches.
If you have good reason, you can ask the event organiser to change the time of a match. Normally however, this is difficult to do, as the afternoon matches depend on the results of morning matches.
Refereeing
Designated referees normally attend these events, particularly for the later stages of the competition. Players will need to referee only if asked to.
Ranking Points
If the event is on SportyHQ, you will receive ranking points for playing (gold events have 1.0 multiplier).
Parents and coaches can spectate/ coach between game at all Scottish Squash junior squash competitions.