6 minute read
REME Squash
REME Sport
REME Squash Championship 2021
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Scribe: SSgt White
With COVID-19 adversely affecting many sports there was a danger of the Corps Championships being postponed once again. However, with COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed and with the determination of the REME Corps Squash Secretary, WO2 Chris Morris and the Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) the event was given the go ahead.
In Total there were 64 players in attendance. The format followed that of previous years with various competitions and Trophies up for grabs meaning that lots of squash was able to be played over the 3day period from the 27th to 29th October. The event took place at the home of Army Squash, Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre.
In the age group categories, Cfn Matthews, a newcomer showed his skill on court winning against LCpl Sugden in the Final of the Under 25’s. A great achievement which also saw him get a call up to play for the Army U25’s squad.
In the 25 to 35 category Cpl Barker was swiftly despatched by an in-form Cpl Bert Godfrey in a fixture that always proves to be
LCpl Smart, Male Open Cup Winner 2021
LCpl Smart in action against the Army number 1 Squash player; Maj Miller (RA)
entertaining. The Over 35’s, for the second time in a row was contested between Sgt Warren Mitchell and SSgt Fraser White. With SSgt White retaining the cup. The over 40’s was won by Major Daniel Proctor who beat SSgt Dave Parkin in a battle that proved that age is just a number.
There were 2 competitions also run for the top Units in the REME. The Minor Units’ runners-up were 5 Rifles and the winners were 47 Regt RA Wksp. The Major Unit runners-up were 8 REME and the winners were 3 REME.
The Open event was won by LCpl Adam Smart who beat SSgt Fraser White in the Final and securing his place as the top player in the REME. The female event was won by Cfn Elaino Pinheiro from 8 Bn REME who beat Cpl Lauren Broadbent.
Two other competitions were also organised to enable those who were knocked out of the main competition in the first 2 rounds to play some more squash. These were the plate competition which was won by Sgt Owain Evans who beat Sgt Willet and the Roberts Cup which was won by the veteran WO1 Ritchie Fewtrell who beat WO2 Chris Morris.
The competition was a great success with the top 16 players from the competition being selected to represent the REME in the InterCorps Championships.
All trophies were presented by the Chairman Lt Col Daz Ward.
A Team Player’s Experience: Cpl Godfrey
Going into this year’s Inter Corps Championships there was a feeling of uncertainty within the REME squash fraternity. It was also very difficult to predict just how strong the other Corps would be after not being able to play for so long.
The first match saw us pitted against the Royal Signals A Team where we took a 5-0 victory. Our second match was against the Infantry A Team; this was a much tighter affair which saw SSgt Fraser White narrowly lose out to their No 3 seed however we secured the win, 4-1 which meant we finished the first day on a respectable 33 points.
Our first match of the second day was against the RLC A Team, where after some very close games we managed to scrape a 3-2 win and our second match against the Royal Engineers resulted in a 4-1 victory. We were now clear of relegation with 61 points and in contention for winning Division 1!
Cfn Pinheiro, Female Open Cup Winner 2021
On the third day we had 2 fixtures remaining, the ever-strong RA A Team and the AAC. The Royal Artillery have been practically unbeatable in recent years and it was no surprise that we suffered our first (and only) loss against the RA, 2-3 after a sterling effort from the young and upcoming Cfn Jack Matthews. The final match against the AAC saw a very strong 5-0 finish meaning we had done enough to secure the coveted runners up position!
It was fantastic to get back on court and play team squash again in one of the best seasons I have competed in, and REME squash have so much to work for and look forward to in 2022. B Team Player’s Experience: Sgt Melia
In September 2021, the annual REME Squash Championships were held at Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre and the B Team tentatively prepared following the loss of three key players as they stepped up to join the A Team. Given this, the aim of the B Team was to stay in Division 2!
Day One. We anticipated that the make or break of our ‘B’ team with the hardest games would be on day one. After a long and tiresome day, we managed to stay on top and were undefeated. However, our number 1 seed sustained an injury and was forced to rest on day two; meaning everyone had to step up one place to facilitate. Day Two. We continued our winning streak, winning all matches once again putting the REME ‘B’ at the top of the board. At this point all eyes were on us. Day Three. Our aches and pains were setting in on the final day as we prepared for our hardest match to play against the RAPTC ‘A’ team, which unfortunately we lost, 3-2. However, after dominating the tournament plus the games we did win against the RAPTC ‘A’ we found ourselves champions of Division 2; surpassing our initial aim of surviving
All the B Team players stepped up day on one due to the unforeseen injury and I must highlight that everyone performed exceptionally throughout the tournament with a special mention to WO2 Morris who narrowly missed out on the Players’ Player of the tournament. REME Squash 2022: WO2 (AQMS) Morris
SSgt White in action at the Inter Corps Championship
As REME Corps Squash Secretary, I would firstly like to recognise the fantastic turnout at the REME Squash Championship 2021, thank you to everyone that participated and for your ongoing commitment during very challenging times. Secondly, I would like to commend both REME Squash teams for an exemplary season of Squash, in the face of adversity we rose to the occasion demonstrated by the REME Squash B Team promoting into Division 1 for the first time as well as the A Team being runners up of Division 1, no mean feat considering the winners (RA) have an ex professional player as their number one seed.
On a final note, this year we aim to raise awareness of Mental Health by organising a fundraising event and taking on an active challenge in support of ‘Lifting the Decks’ to champion and support good mental health for all. All in all, an inspirational season of squash and very much to play for in 2022. If you are interested in REME Squash and require any information, please contact:
Lt Lemonaris – U25 Development Officer
Emilios.Lemonaris100@mod.gov.uk
Lt Dabbs – Female Development Coach
Alice.Dabbs100@mod.gov.uk
SSgt White – Team Captain
Fraser.White305@mod.gov.uk
WO2 Morris – REME Corps Squash Secretary
Christopher.Morris784@mod.gov.uk
