Finals Night 17th February 2022

After a disrupted season the competitors regrouped throughout January and February to set up an exciting finale to the City Houses Ladies Competition.

The team finalists were CBAW1 (captained by Vince Leung) vs CHSCW4 (Captained by Rachel Visontay). This was always going to be a close encounter on paper and the action didn’t disappoint.

With the score line finishing at 2 matches each we had to use count back with the winner having the most games scored. CBAW1 only just took the title with a 9 games to 8 victory.

There was some fantastic play by all competitors involved and it is awesome to see players improve throughout the season.

City Tattersalls has been the venue throughout and will be the host to a final coaching night for the participants to cover any aspects of the game they wish to improve on.

The competition and coaching nights have been led by  Mike Dickens (Senior Professional Squash Coach at the East Coast Squash Academy) and assisted by Anna McRae (In Club Coach at The Academy)

Our goal is to encourage as many females as we can to the healthiest sport in the world!

A great starting point being The Academy’s Small Group Classes.

Some of the finalists pictured above.

Sydney, 10 February 2020 – Australia’s leading squash academy, The East Coast Squash Academy, is pleased to announce the arrival of Tomi Niinimaki as a visiting member of its coaching faculty.  
 
Niinimaki brings over 20 years of coaching experience and was ranked 6th in Finland at the pinnacle of his playing career. His extensive coaching experience, knowledge of mental toughness, psychology, motor skills and muscular strength training will help strengthen and support the Academy’s coaching faculty.

Niinimaki has coached players at all levels, from juniors and adults to top ranked international players and national teams. Among the professionals Tomi has coached include: Simon Rösner (World #3), Raphael Kandra (World #13), Olli Tuominen (World #13), Mahesh Mangaonkar (World #44) and Sina Wall (World #41).

Teams and clubs Tomi has coached include: Finland men’s and women’s National Teams, Estonian National Team, Paderborner Squash Club, Finland Racketlon national, Finland National team & regional junior camps, Espoo Squash Rackets Club and Mäkelänrinne Sports High School.

Tomi’s other squash related accomplishments involve; being a panel member of the European Disciplinary Appeal Panel since 2021, a member of the coaching panel of the Finnish SRA 2015, a member of the group organising the European Team Championships 2011 and a member of the Finnish SRA board, 2009-2010.

Tomi has developed the material for Finland’s national Level 1 coaching course, organised a “Squash for school kids” campaign, organised and hosted exhibition matches, organised "Squash for everyone" events, organised national tournaments and events.

 Tomi Niinimaki’s accomplishments as a squash player include:

• Finland National ranking career high No. 6.
• 7th in the National championships in 2011
• Squash doubles Finnish national champion in 2008 and 2009
• Finland national club championship gold 2009, bronze 2010 and 2011
• Quarterfinals in Finnish national championships 2005
• Five gold medals in the Nordic junior team championships 1994-1998
• U16 and U19 national team 1993-1998
• Several medals in national championships as a junior
• Several international tournaments 

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The Academy has been an innovator within the Australian squash community, facilitating corporate team building events and workshops to improve teamwork in organisations to enhance health, wellness and wellbeing in the workforce through squash.
 
While Tomi is in Sydney, he will be available for one-on-one and group coaching for players of all ages and abilities. Make the most of his skills and expertise while he is here!
 
Tomi Niinimaki
Contact details: Tel: 0405 018 561
Email: [email protected]
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​The young “raging bull”, Mostafa Asal, has burst onto the professional squash circuit over the last few years. At only 20 years of age, as of January 2022, he was ranked #5 in the world.
 
Asal is a solid athlete and squash player. Some may say that he's a borderline phenom. But, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding the way he plays. Many dislike his on-court antics; his path of movement to and from the ball/shot, how he ‘uses’ his trailing leg, holding/pushing his opponents, and on-court celebrations.
 
Others feel that he is being hard done by (1) harsh, unfair referee decisions and (2) the haters on social media.
 
In the squash analysis video below, Ahad Raza:
 

1. Breaks down the subtleties Asal leverages on court to give himself an advantage,
2. Highlights potential causes for his behavior,
3. Suggests an approach we can all take when talking about Asal, and
4. showcases the awesome ability and further potential he has!

​These views are Ahad’s. He does a great job explaining the subtleties of the controversy. As someone wise once stated: There is YOUR version, there is MY version and somewhere in-between lies the truth.
 
You can make up your own mind where you stand, just be RESPECTFUL of others’ point of view and have fun out there on the court!
 
About Ahad Raza
 
Ahad Raza is a former Professional Squash Association (PSA) touring athlete and top 10 Canadian player. He is a published author on mindset and peak performance. Ahad mentors athletes, business executives and business owners on mindset, peak performance, and squash. Ahad presents unique content on his AR Proformance YouTube channel where he (1) analyses the subtleties of professional squash in depth, and (2) interviews top players to inspire, empower, and help guide the transformation of squash players around the world. Ahad is extremely passion about squash, and he is grateful to be able to share his experiences with you virtually and via his website.