Free Community Fun Day at Niagara-on-the-Lake
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor
I love the White Oaks Squash Club at Niagara-on-the-Lake. It has one of my favourite show courts, with an interesting mixture of glass front and back walls, and concrete sidewalls. And it even has its own Starbucks in the squash reception.
It is part of the five-star White Oaks Hotel Resort and Spa, with top-class facilities throughout the complex.
I can guarantee that all players, coaches, referees, officials and spectators involved in the 2014 Women’s World Team Championships will be well looked after throughout their stay.
It’s just a pity that I can’t make it across myself for the Women’s Worlds starting later this month, but I’m more than happy to publish the announcement below from Squash Canada about an Open House fun day to launch the event.
Squash Canada and Squash Ontario are pleased to announce that the kick off event at the SHOP.CA Women’s World Team Squash Championship will be the Community Open House Saturday November 29, 2014 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at White Oaks Resort & Spa.
The SHOP.CA Women’s World Team Squash Championship will be held from December 1 – 6, 2014 at White Oaks Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON.
“We are excited to partner with Squash Canada and Squash Ontario. Supporting our local community in sport is vital to the health and wellness of all kids in Niagara and part of our daily mission at The Club at White Oaks”, said Sandy Lynch Co-Club Manager at White Oaks.
The open house will feature free squash & tennis clinics, opportunities to meet the best female squash players on the planet as well as complimentary White Oaks fitness sessions including (yoga, spinning, TRX and movement classes), healthy treats, tours of the White Oaks facility and much more. Admission is free, Squash Canada and Squash Ontario kindly request that participants make a donation to your local Breast Cancer Foundation.
White Oaks Resort & Spa one of Canada’s premier racquet and fitness clubs is hosting the SHOP.CA Women’s World Team Squash Championship this year, which will 20 teams from six continents around the world.
It is expected that 9 of the top 10 players in the world will participate in this year’s event, led by seven-times World Champion Nicol David (right) and current World #1 from Malaysia, and current World Singles Champion Laura Massaro of England, World #2.
The community open house is an ideal opportunity to learn the game of squash, try White Oaks premiere workout facilities and amenities and enjoy a day with friends and family. There are also a number of activities geared towards children, which will make the Community Open House a real family event.
All attendees will be able to redeem a one week free club passes to White Oaks following the event. Anyone who joins White Oaks on November 29, 2014 can take advantage of a special offer to save the initiation fee (a savings of $250.00).
The Canadian squash team will be on hand to mentor young athletes as well as for a meet and greet and autograph session.
The Canadian team comprises World Ranked #30 Samantha Cornett, Calgary’s Danielle Letourneau, Saskatchewan’s Nikki Todd, World #75 and Oakville’s own Hollie Naughton, World #71. The team recently won a silver medal at the Pan American Championship in September and they look to challenge for top 8 spot at this year’s World Team Championship.
The Community Open House concept was the brainchild of Mark Sachvie, White Oak’s Racquets Director who died suddenly on November 30, 2013 while attending the memorial service for Canadian national squad athlete Adrian Dudzicki.
Squash Canada Executive Director Danny Da Costa said, “The Niagara Region has produced many national champions and has built a strong squash culture thanks to the excellent work of Mark Sachvie and his squash professionals at White Oaks and its this kind of event that brings Mark’s two loves together, squash and White Oaks”.
Mark loved the Niagara Region, the community and all it had to offer, it was also the area where Mark built one of the best squash programs in Canada, said Da Costa.
White Oaks Resort recently renamed its squash facility after Sachvie; it is now referred to as the Mark Sachvie Squash Centre at White Oaks.
This past March, Sachvie was named St. Catharines sportsman of the year and in June Squash Canada named Mark Sachvie to the Squash Canada Wall of Fame in the builder category.
The SHOP.CA Women’s World Team Squash Championship takes place December 1 – 6, 2014 at White Oaks.
For more information regarding tickets or the Community Open House, please visit http://wsfwomensteams.com