Mike Da Silva
Holding Court at the Squash Club With tip-top squash facilities, the Gibraltar Squash Association takes pride in its Squash Club and is always looking to welcome new members and visitors. The club has four recently-refurbished squash courts, a spinning room, a well-equipped gymnasium with a sauna and a fully licensed bar and restaurant to offer the public. Mike Da Silva the Press Officer at the Gibraltar Squash Association is an enthusiast squash player who believes Gibraltar has a lot of potential when it comes to squash. The Gibraltar Squash Association held their annual PSA Open squash tournament at the end of June, and it is growing in popularity every year. “At the beginning there was just a group of people who got together and they played squash at the stadium and at HMS Rooke. When we got the premises we have now on South Pavillion Road, our membership grew to about 400 members,” he explains. “Our president Mr Bar-
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ry Brindle built the hall and made it look like it is now. Now Mike would like to see an increase in the number of youngsters who play squash. “We have 12 children who play regularly every Friday and it is getting more popular, because it is not like tennis, which is more difficult for kids to learn. It is just a good laugh and is really easy for
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beginners to play. “Squash is not a team sport, like a hockey,” Mike continues. “You can’t lose the ball, it is really easy to run and get it, so it is a very easy sport to pick up.” Besides getting some exercise kids have loads of fun playing squash, while parents can relax in the quiet atmosphere on the terrace.
Kids can just turn up and we will take care of the rest. It is not strict in technique — we want to get them interested and enjoying it
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On Fridays from 5pm children of all standards from age seven upwards play, and for younger kids wishing to take part a special session can be organised to get them started. All children are welcome to join the Squash Association as soon they are old enough to hold a racket. “Kids can just turn up and we will take care of the rest,” Mike promises. “It is not strict in technique — we want to get them interested and enjoying it. If someone shows a lot of interest and talent, we will train them on other days. “Young kids can’t really last
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014
25/07/2014 15:03