Center of the Universe
May 2, 2005, by Ryan Barnett
SquashTalk Independent News Service © 2005 all Rights Reserved;

Toronto the host as Canadian Nationals Moves Back East

For some Toronto, Canada is affectionately known as “Hog Town”. For others, “the Centre of the Universe” will do just fine. Whatever you prefer the fact remains that squash players from all over the Great White North are set to converge on Canada’s largest city for the 2005 Canadian National Squash Championships May 4-7th.

Not since 2001 have the Nationals been held out East. First Calgary, then Edmonton and last year Vancouver rounding out the Western hospitality. According to Squash Canada’s Executive Director Linda MacPhail there’s more than just a geographic change associated with this year’s tournament.

GLASS COURT AND NATIONAL TV

Jonathon Power - ready for the challengers at the Canadian Nationals © 2005 Debra Tessier

“Given the popularity of squash in North America and the growth that the sport is currently enjoying our National Championships provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the sport and our Canadian athletes on a global scale. This year Squash Canada is tremendously excited to be hosting the Nationals as in past years the event was normally sponsored by the local club” MacPhail adds, “CBC television will be broadcasting both the men’s and women’s semis and finals from the Barbara Frum Atrium where the all-glass court along with 500 theatre style seats have been set-up. All of our top professional players will be in attendance and we will have a full compliment of companion and age group events taking place in three adjacent facilities”

Yes, the big boys will be in attendance. Jonathon Power, fresh off his Bermuda Masters victory, will be looking for his sixth crown in seven years. Standing in his way will be the defending champion Graham Ryding who has also recently tasted victory winning the Quebec Open. Power says despite the dominance that both he and Ryding have exhibited the past decade there are players ready to step-up and make their mark. “I’m really impressed with Matt Giuffre’s game. He’s really picked it up and improved his squash over the past year. I would say he could be the dark horse but then again Viktor Berg always comes to play and don’t forget about Shahier(Razik) I can’t simply show-up. I’ve got to play and play well”

On the women’s side it’s once again wide open. The nation’s highest ranked female at #33, Ottawa’s Runa Reta, will be put to task by last year’s champ Alana Miller and the ever dangerous Katie Patrick. Lurking in the weeds, veteran and arguably Canada’s best female squash player, Melanie Jans-Burke. Jans-Burke has quietly been getting herself in peak form and is looking forward to returning to familiar surroundings. “The Nationals are special. I’m glad they are in my old hometown because it’ll be fun to see my parents and friends. At this stage in my career I still train hard and enjoy the game. It’s great for our sport that there are younger players coming up. I’m going to be ready; going to give it my best shot and at the end of the day, win or lose I’ll have a lot of fond memories of my playing career.”

The event begins Wednesday.

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