IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL CSSC SQUASH & RACKETBALL PLAYERS

Due to transforming and modernising the way CSSC delivers sport in the future the National Squash Graded Championship and combined Masters Age Group Event, scheduled to take place on 21st & 22nd November 2025 at Nottingham Squash Club will be our very last National Event.

Can I ask that you all make every effort to be part of this farewell event, and lets make it an event to remember,so dust off those rackets, dig out those trainers, get all of your kit washed and ironed and get yourself entered this last ever event for some time.

Please also note that CSSC will be trialing the development of local sporting opportunities which will include squash and racketball firstly in the North West Region before rolling it out to other Regions.

Please also note that this website will attempt to report on any progress being made in relation to Squash and Racketball.

The website will remain open for the foreseeable future and will report on the above Championships and also on the development of CSSC local squash.

This years CSSC Racketball Tournament was held on Saturday 5th July at Nottingham Squash Centre.

There were two box leagues and knockout stages with Andrew Kettlewell beating Lee Murray in the final.

All participants had a great day and were all given prizes thanks to KARAKAL.

Trophies were awarded to the overall winner and runner up.

Lunch was provided for all participants and feedback given was very positive.

All those that took part said that they will recruit more players from within their departments for next years event.

Entries are now open for the 2025 CSSC Racketball Tournament, being held at Nottingham Squash Centre on Saturday 5th July 2025.

The event is open for men and women

Registration for the event is 9.30am

Play to commence from 10am.

Closing date for entries is 26/06/25. There is now an £8 entry fee.

The link below gives you all relevant information, plus the entry form.

Racketball Competition

This year’s longstanding CSSC Squash Singles Event took place in the new venue of Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club on Friday and Saturday 22nd and 23rd November.  The Chief Coach Mike Harris there made everyone very welcome and provided us with some excellent facilities including glass back squash courts for all our matches.

Some late withdrawals in the Men’s Event saw the final stages being changed to a Round Robin format of 5 players. The top seed and previous 5 times winner Tim Burrell in his first match faced the unknown talent of Andrew Cowgill who had entered his first CSSC Squash Event.  With Tim losing the first game 9 – 11 it looked as if we might be watching a new Champion in Andrew.  Tim however  took early  control of the remaining contest by winning all 3 games to 4, 6, and 7 points. Andrew’s next opponent Richard Crisp was on paper an easy win but Richard an extremely fit exponent of kick boxing made Andrew work hard for his 3-0 victory.  The number 3 and 4 Seeds Dan Willets and Imran Bashir were on paper a very close match up and so it proved in the match which went the distance – it was Imran however who just edged past his experienced opponent 11-7 in the 5^th game. Imran put up another fine performance in his match against the number 1 seed Tim Burrell - only losing in the 5^th game 11-5. Andrew’s hopes of improving on his position were given a double blow when firstly losing a long hard fought battle with Dan 11-3 in the 5^th game and finally losing to the much improved player Imran Bashir 11-7 in their 3^rd game. So congratulations goes to Tim Burrell who chalked up his 6^th CSSC Singles Title the first one being some 14 years back! Congratulations also goes to Imran Bashir as runner-up and also to Dan Willets who won the Plate Competition and to the Plate runner-up Andrew Cowgill. Well done also to Richard Crisp who despite his lack of squash competition experience made all his opponents work hard for their win.

The Ladies Event was also cursed  with some unfortunate late withdrawals but did however produce an excellent final when the very experienced CSSC Team player Helen Midgley took on a very new to CSSC Squash and talented player in the form of Hannah Anthony.  Although the match only lasted 3 games the experienced Helen made a good show of it with Hannah’s talent too good on the day. Congratulations to both the winner Hannah Anthony and to the runner-up Helen Midgley.

This years Quadrangular  2024 tournament was held at the Prestigious  Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham.

The matches kicked off on time and the early Friday session produced some shocks... 

with POLICE v FIRE

it was very close FIRE winning that 3/2.

While on ct 1 it was..

CSSC v UKAF

CSSC was well organised and far too strong for UKAF winning that match 5/0.

After launch into the late afternoon session ..

POLICE v UKAF.

This was straight forward for the very strong POLICE. winning 5/0.

Much more exciting matches  between CSSc v FIRE

CSSC came through 4/1 winners.

Meanwhile there was a thriller in the ladies match between POLICE v UKAF.

POLICE won that 3/2 and with that also the overall event.

Friday evening meal was very well organised and excellent food thanks to Priory kitchen...there was plenty to eat .

some had 3 helpings.

Saturday  Morning.

Everything to play for POLICE v CSSC

with a slight change to CSSC team, weakened at the top of order..it was great effort by the boys..

CSSC only win came via Matthew winning 3/1 at No2.

FIRE had an easy run as UKAF were 2 players short but did manage to sneak a rubber which turned out to be crucial in the final tally of points.

FIRE won 4/1.

Also must mention Mike Edwards head coach at Priory and all the Priory ladies who turned up on Saturday morning to give the POLICE ladies team a match. It was close with POLICE ladies winning 3/2....

SO the score on the board revealed POLICE at the top and CSSC second FIRE in third place and then UKAF.

Summing up it was an excellent weekend and thanks to al our players for making this event a great one and hope it continues to be successful.

Collis.

The next CSSC Squash Singles event is being held on Friday 22nd November and Saturday 23rd November at Wolverhampton Squash Club, WV6 0HL.

This will be a graded tournament to suit all standards and will include both mens and ladies matches.

The start time for both days is below:

Friday 22nd November - 12pm until 5pm

Saturday 23rd November - 9:30am until 5pm

Please come along and support this event and see for yourself and what this new venue can offer.

22nd June 2024: Social squash match CSSC vs Fire Service vs GB Vets

Following the success of the 2023 event, the Civil Service, GB Vets and Fire service squash teams all headed to Nottingham to take part in a friendly 8-a-side squash match.

First up were CSSC against the GB Vets who boasted none other than Nick Gollaglee, British Over 65s champion, in their ranks, along with a host of other national players. The civil service, however, were boosted by being loaned Nick Sheppard from the GB Vets and local Nottingham player Noah Duckworth. Despite these additions, the civil service found it tough going yet managed to put on some excellent performances against tough opponents. James Hodson was star of the match for the Civil Service managing to get a win against the talented John Simpson. Special mention also goes to Tim Burrell and Imran Bashir for getting a game each while the others all lost encounters closer than the scorelines suggest – Nick Sheppard and Paul Clarke particularly unlucky not to win a game.

Despite some heavy legs going into the 2^nd match it didn’t show. Mike Plant had a very good win in a tight affair while Richard Chubb and David Jacobs, playing his first CSSC squash event, also managed to come out on top. Imran Bashir and Paul Clarke were both unfortunate to be on the wrong end of 3-2 scorelines – just not having enough to get over the line. James Hodson, Joe Shil and Noah Duckworth played well but ultimately were bested by their opponents.

In the remaining match once again there were plenty of tight matches with the Fire Service just managing to narrowly beat GB Vets.

Following the squash all the teams retired to the bar to enjoy some food before heading home having thoroughly enjoyed the event. 

Nottingham Squash Club was once again the venue for the 2024 CSSC Racketball (Squash 57) Championships which were held on the 15^th June 2024.

 A favoured venue for many CSSC squash and racketball events in the past, the club is now run by volunteers who do their best to provide a warm and friendly welcome to players and guests.

Seven of the eight entries arrived bright and early to commence their match-play for 10:00am.
The round-robin system was used which meant that each participant had six matches to play, this kept them busy for the day.

The format was best of 3 games to 11 points, with 2 clear points being required at 10-all

There were some very entertaining matches and everyone played in a competitive and friendly manner.

Peter Fielding was involved in the two of the three longest matches of the day as was Micky Gallacher. These being against Micky and Russell Bassett, Peter unfortunately being on the losing side of both, either side of the lunch break.

Everyone was more than ready for the break, and a cold buffet was provided courtesy of CSSC – the sandwiches were picked up and fresh on the day and were absolutely delicious :>)

During lunch ex- CSSRA President Marian Holmes played ex-CSSRA Chair Linda Parsley in what could have been a Ladies Championship Final. With a few more lady entrants this might be something that could be introduced next year.

As it came to the last round of matches both Micky Gallacher and Collis Sheik were undefeated, with Collis just edging being leader on games conceded count-back, Micky having dropped one game.

Due to a masterly insightful draw by the ‘Tournament Director’ (or a massive stroke of luck) we found ourselves in the position of the last round of matches actually including the Championship decider.

 This was a very entertaining match with both players still showing good levels of skill and fitness following the day’s exertions.

In the end the title of CSSC RACKETBALL CHAMPION 2024  went to Collis with a 12/10 15/13 victory.

The trophies were presented by Marian Holmes ( former President of CSSRA)

2024 National Champion - Collis Sheiks                                 2024 Runner Up - Micky Gallacher

The competitors and organisers (Peter Fielding missing)

Front row: L to R - Marian Holmes, Russell Bassett, Paul Clarke, Micky Gallacher, Collis Sheik, Deborah Atkinson, Cynthia Crane, Linda Parsley

Rear: L to R - Phil Crane, Neil Moore

Hi all

Just wanted to give you the heads up that the next CSSC Open Squash event will be held at the Wolverhampton Squash & Tennis Club on Friday 13th & Saturday 14th September 2024.

A couple of hotel suggestions have been provided for those that will be staying over, and they are:

The Mount Hotel

Mount Rd

Wolverhampton

WV6 8HL

Novotel

Union St

Wolverhampton

WV1 3JN

The competition will be graded as usual so is suitable for all standards.

Looking forward to seeing you all there