Camaraderie and Respect First, Competition a Close Second

Do you remember the first time you went in a swimming pool? The first time you went on a sleepover? Your first plane ride? What about the first trophy you won? I bet you can recount that moment pretty clearly.

William of Surf City Squash had a handful of first time experiences last weekend during the course of the National Urban Team Championships. They began when his team-competing in its inaugural year-was still on the ground in San Diego.

"It was my first time flying on a plane," he said. "Renato (Paiva) blocked out my nervousness, especially on the takeoff."

Paiva, executive director of Surf City Squash, strategically placed himself between two first-time fliers on the team's trip to Philadelphia.

On Saturday, William played in his first match ever, and notched his first loss. On Saturday he got his first win, and on Sunday his first come-from-behind victory. His win helped Surf City to a consolation draw victory in the Boys Under 15.

"It was really hard and really tiring," William said. "My opponent was a lefty, so I always hit to my forehand drive and his backhand. I kept strategizing and hitting lobs and straight drives. I thought I could win, so I trusted myself. I had belief in myself I could win."

The National Urban Team Championships were first held in June, 2004 at the Groton School. Four teams competed that year: SquashBusters (Boston), StreetSquash (Harlem), SquashSmarts (Philadelphia) and CitySquash (The Bronx). In the fifth year of the event, 260 kids from seven programs competed. METROsquash, of Chicago, joined the action a couple years later. Squash Haven, based in New Haven, and Surf City both sent teams for the first time this year.

SquashSmarts hosted the Championships at The Lenfest Center, their new eight court facility.

For Greg Zaff, who created urban squash when he founded SquashBusters in 1995, seeing the growth is inspiring.

"It's a little bit of a dream come true," he said. "It's a big deal now. It wasn't a big deal back then."

Zaff now heads up the National Urban Squash and Education association, the governing body of urban squash. The event ranks amongst Zaff's favorites.

"One of the things I really like about this tournament, besides the squash, is the spirit and camaraderie of mutual respect," he said.

"The kids know they are doing something special. These kids share a connection in what they are doing. They know it is different than what their peers are doing."

That commonality creates an atmosphere all its own.

"There is a warmth in the building," Zaff said. "I've never seen that in squash before. I've never seen it to that level."

Kids begin the tournament with some things in common, and leave with friendships.

"All the kids get to bond and connect with kids from the other programs," said Tim Wyant, executive director of CitySquash. "The kids are all involved in squash in America, and it is not uncommon for kids to feel like outsiders in the sport because of socioeconomic backgrounds. They can relate to each other."

While who won and who lost is not what people remember most from this tournament, it is a National Championship and all of the kids are competitors who want to win-even the newest players.

"They didn't care if someone has been playing for two or three years," said Julie Greenwood, executive director of Squash Haven. "They wanted to beat them."

And while Greenwood's players had a good showing, it was the teams from New York that claimed the titles. City Squash took home the BU13, BU15, GU13 and GU15 trophies, while Street Squash took the BU17/19 and GU17/19.

The StreetSquash and CitySquash players will very possibly have a larger pool to defend their tiles against next year. Two programs beginning in the fall might be eligible to compete, as well as a couple recently launched programs. Greater opportunity for the kids to meet new friends, and hang out with those they likely already miss.

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