The Squash P.E.I. season began in great form last week, with Island squash players hosting a contingent of Jester squash players and their wives from South Africa.
The Jesters organization is an international club dedicated to promotion of the game of squash and good sportsmanship.
“They’re representing their country,” Ray Souchereau explained as players competed in Charlottetown.
“Although (there’s) a bit of joking, it’s very serious. There’s serious bragging rights” on the line.
Souchereau is chairman of the Atlantic division of the Canadian Jesters.
There are more than 4,000 Jester members worldwide, and they commit their time to playing and promoting the game, and to the further development and enhancement of junior squash programming.
The South African Jesters were on the first leg of their 2012 Canadian Tour, which will include visits to Moncton, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver.
The Jesters were treated to some Island hospitality and some tough squash matches with senior players from the Squash P.E.I. community, before heading to Moncton for the next leg of their tour.
The Squash P.E.I. tournament season begins this weekend with the Fall Fiesta Tournament. Last year’s A division champions Mike Buchanan and Ryann Jinks are expected to be strong again this season, but will be tested by players from within Squash P.E.I. and by visiting players from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Monday night league play and junior development programming will begin next week at the Spa in West Royalty. For more visit www.squashpei.org or send an e-mail to squashpei@gmail.com.
