The first co-sanctioned New Zealand Squash Open tournament in 28 years – to be held in Tauranga this November 8-13 – is about to serve up multiple benefits to Aotearoa and its squash community.

The NZ Open, which is part of the PSA World Tour, will have a total of 48 players representing more than 20 countries on the state-of-the-art glass court in the Trustpower Baypark Arena.

Moreover, the NZ Open will be preceded by the Nations Cup on November on 3-6 at the same venue, where eight teams will compete in the opening of the world SquashFORWARD series.

Kiwis versus world's best

For Squash NZ chief executive Martin Dowson, there are many reasons to be excited about the NZ Open returning after a 28-hiatus.

'The key is this is first time we've had the NZ Squash Open since 1993, so it's a relaunch of an event that has a lot of historic relevance to it.

'Secondly, we have got Kiwis Paul Coll and Joelle King playing against the world's best in front of a New Zealand crowd.”

For the high-profile squash talents, the NZ Open offers the chance to play squash at top-level on home soil in front of a home crowd. 'This is really exciting for them – Paul is the current world no 1 and Joelle is no 6 – so they have a really good chance to excel in this competition while in front of a home crowd,” says Martin.

'Kiwis have recently watched Joelle and Paul at the Commonwealth Games on TV screens – now we get to watch them play some of the world's best here in Tauranga.”

Kiwi Joelle King, world no 6, will play in the upcoming New Zealand Squash Open in Tauranga on November 8-13. Professional Squash Association.

With the draw closed, the international entries are now confirmed – and the large number of nations represented will ensure the event will gain attention from around the globe. 'Squash TV is broadcasting the event live around the world.”

Against all odds

NZ Squash Open tournament director Wayne Werder says the event is extremely positive not only for NZ but Tauranga, which has collectively got the event up and running against all odds.

'The organising committee is made up of the three local clubs – it's an amazing story of collaboration between them, where normally clubs compete against each other on-court.”

Rewind 12 months, and Wayne says the committee had 'no money, no glass court – a pretty big part of a squash event – and we were in a Covid environment where people couldn't even come into NZ”.

The committee has worked since forming in 2015 to first deliver the 2017 World Junior Championships. They'd secured the World Men's Championships in 2021 'but Covid got in the way”.

So they went back to the drawing board. 'The group looked if there was another way to do this, which led us to think differently and come up with what we're doing now,' says Wayne, who is happy to say Tauranga will host the World Men's Teams Championships next year.

'So it's a two-year chance to for us which culminates in an even bigger one next year.”

Creating a legacy

Both Martin and Wayne say in Paul Coll and Joelle King, NZ hasn't seen such high-profile players in squash since the days of Dame Susan Devoy and Ross Norman.

'From Squash NZ's perspective our motive isn't financial, it's purely to provide a legacy of more people being inspired and wanting to play squash. The target will be more juniors as well,” says Martin.

'Dame Susan and Ross – we were inspired by watching them play – we know Joelle and Paul offer a great opportunity for this too.”

Kiwi Paul Coll, currently ranked world no 1, will compete in the New Zealand Squash Open in Tauranga on November 8-13. Professional Squash Association.

Wayne agrees, saying the duo certainly have created a whole lot of interest across the sport.

'A key part of running a major event like the NZ Open is ensuring you leave a legacy. With that in mind we're working with the likes of Squash BOP and Squash NZ to run a give-it-a-go campaign with clubs and schools to encourage people to get involved with the sport.”

To purchase tickets to the Nations Cup and NZ Open, visit: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2022/nov/festival-of-squash

Thanks to organisers, The Sun has two double passes to the NZ Squash Open on November 8-13 at Trustpower Baypark Arena to give away to two lucky readers. To enter, tell us the Kiwis who will compete in the NZ Squash Open?

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section.

Entries must be in by Tuesday, October 11.