Club West Island hosts 16th annual Squash Flag Match

Club West Island in Beaconsfield was filled with electricity this past Saturday, as it welcomed the 16th annual Squash Flag Match.

The Flag match hoped it would set the tone for the upcoming Sochi Olympics, as Team Canada took on the rest of the world, in a 25 match encounter.

Squash is a racquet sport played by two players (or four players in doubles) in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. This fast-paced game has been described as turbocharged chess—the more skilled a player is, strategic, the game becomes. Players are also continually challenged mentally and physically.

“A standard court certified by the World Squash Federation (WSF) is 21’0″ wide x 32’0″ long. Even though the court height needs to be a minimum of 18’6″ high, many projects will elect to stop the panels at the play line heights and finish above these areas with sheetrock.

With the exception of any glass in the court, the playing surfaces of the court are made of wood in order to provide uniformity to ball rebound and play. The squash courts are designed for heavy use, with pre-fabricated materials, and provide a cost efficient and professional system as approved by the WSF” The Court company, a Memphis, Tennessee, based industry leader in squash court manufacturing and supplier.

“The main difference in squash is that the two players are not facing each other, but instead use the same playing surface, and you need to control your environment, take advantage of positioning, when possible. Considering that, I feel there’s a deeper mental battle with your opponent.”

“I used to play racquet sports, badminton, tennis, and table tennis, for several years, and feel squash is the more complete sport of all, requiring twisting and turning, quick reaction time and overall fitness. The fact that rallies can go on for minutes, compared to other sports where it’s just too easy to miss your shot or make an irretrievable winner. That’s why I love it!” Karl Dubois, Team Canada, and Montreal based participant told The Suburban.

The Canadian team were represented with athletes from coast-to-coast, as the world team countered with a troupe from 13 countries; United Kingdom, Ireland, Wales, France, Croatia, Vietnam, Colombia, Lebanon, Israel, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Egypt.

“The Flag Match is the only opportunity low-ranked players like I have to actually represent their country. That by itself is an awesome feeling, it is like taking part in the World Team Championships, and therefore it’s an amazing experience. It’s an extra incentive to do well” added Dubois.

“The organizers, and Le Club West Island, pull together in making it a great community event, opening their doors to allow players from all over the island to join in the fun. I look forward to the event every year as it always comes down to the final matches to decide the champions” said Baie d’Urfe resident, Jayem Nolan, and part of the Canadian contingent.

“The Flag Match best exemplify the camaraderie that has been established in the squash program at Club West Island. It is always great to see everyone come out of the woodwork and find the time to play or meet up at the bar. Great fun, great squash, great people, and I can’t wait until the 17th annual,” Pincourt resident, of Colombian descent, Derek Patino, told The Suburban.

The four court facility was at full capacity for the afternoon. The final outcome was not known until the last quartet of matches was played.

Team Canada set the tone for Sochi with a 15-10 final score.

For more information on individual results of The Flag Match: www.leclubwestisland.com
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