SquashTalk Player Interviews
This series of interviews takes you behind the names and the rankings of squash players worldwide, in a range of playing brackets. [back to player profiles index]
"Freewheeling across America"
Cardiff-based squash luminaries spend the summer with American juniors
Interview with Ron Beck, August 1999copyright © 1999, Squashtalk. Reproduction prohibited.
Brian O'Hora and Amber Perreira, Cardiff, Wales
Occupations: college students.
Background: Brian O'Hora was selected this spring as a member of the Irish international men's team. Amber is a top women's player in college.
Summer '99:Brian spent the summer at the Talbott Squash Academy in Newport RI and at the Concord/Acton squash camp in Concord MA. Amber spent the summer at the Princeton Squash Training Center and camps.
School: University of Cardiff, Wales.
SquashTalk caught up with Brian O"Hora and Amber Perreira at the Summer Doldrums Squash tournament in Boston Mass. Amber was playing in the 4.5+ division, where she lost in the quarterfinal and won the consolation. Brian played an exhibition on Saturday afternoon with local pro Mark Lewis.
We were curious about how these two college students ended up "squashing across America" : They represent a growing trend of young foreign players who come across to America, spending time at the growing group of Squash Camps in the USA, imparting their squash knowledge to a new generation of american squash enthusiasts.
Both Brian and Amber are enthusiastic, and their enthusiasm stood them well during the summer with their students. We asked them a few questions about their stay in America.
WHAT BROUGHT THE TWO OF YOU TO AMERICA?
Both of us are students at the University of Cardiff in Wales. Both of us are also on the squash teams at the University. Cardiff boasts among the top squash teams in the UK, having come away with the best record in men's squash the past winter.
Our professor has run an exchange program with Long Beach State University in California for the past few years. We came to California this spring to take a semester in the exchange program, focusing on some of the American approaches to physical therapy and training. Being in the States for the spring, we had the idea of trying to extend our stay throughout the summer by getting involved in some US based squash activity.
We phoned up the USSRA who gave us the names of several summer squash camps. Amber ended up getting a job with Gail Ramsay and Bob Callahan at the Princeton Squash Training Center and Brian got a job with the Talbott Squash Academy in Rhode Island. At the Talbott, Brian met Paul Ansdell and ended up wrapping up his summer with three weeks at the Concord Acton Squash Club in Concord MA?
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE JUNIOR SQUASH IN THE USA?
It's great. The kids were a pleasant surprise. They are all so cooperative and listen to what we have to say. The attitude and motivation of the kids was terrific really, and unexpected.
AND HOW ABOUT THE STANDARD OF PLAY?
Much better than we expected, really. We were prepared for a much lower standard. It's been an eye opener. Especially on the girls' side, they are really strong. Brian had an opportunity to work with the girl's team before they went over to Antwerp and their fifth place finish was great.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF YOUR TIME IN THE USA?
Totally a positive experience. We would look to come back next year if we got the opportunity.
WHAT NEXT AFTER YOUR FEW DAYS IN BOSTON?
No more squash for two weeks. We're going to enjoy the last part of our stay in the US, see a bit, and get ready for another hard year of school coming up soon.
