Dunhill Trip - Highfield Squash

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Dunhill Trip

Annual Junior Squash Trip 2016

On Saturday 23^rd April the Highfield Squash Club took their junior members on their annual trip this year the venue being the Dunhill Squash Club just outside Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. We set off at 8.30am on a bright sunny morning from the club house with nineteen excited juniors, three junior officers and two coaches - not forgetting Tony the bus driver. Our junior’s ages ranged from under U11s right up to U17s.

Entertainment for the journey down to Dunhill was provided by our youngest coach Brendan L (who may be considered the biggest kid of all) who not only had a number of physical puzzles available to be solved but he also endeavoured on setting out a number of mental challenges most notably playing ‘Guess the Country’ game which was a big hit with all the juniors! Before long we have arrived at our destination.

Upon entering the Dunhill club we were warmly welcomed by the junior officer Mary O’Loughlin and a large number of their juniors (approx. 30) and other parents. The first games got underway at 10.30am whereby we paired off a junior from Highfield against a junior of similar standard from Dunhill to play the best of three sets. We divided the juniors into the various age categories across each of the three courts. The use of simple post-its allowed each junior know in advance when they would be playing and on which court – many thanks to Mary, Noleen and Brendan C for keeping the games running smoothly.

Throughout the course of the day there were many exciting close games played with both sets of juniors trying their best but more importantly enjoying the experience. For our juniors to be playing in a different club against different juniors was great for their development and confidence. In addition there were some new friendships formed between juniors from each club. Big thanks to our coaches Brendan L and Cyril for mentoring our juniors between games and to Carole and Ann-Marie for getting them ready for each game and providing support.

In addition to playing squash that day both sets of juniors got the opportunity to take part in some fun football and basketball activities (between squash games) in the school yard at the back of the squash club. It was great to see the juniors engaging with each other having fun off the courts enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

After five and half hours of squash (playing through lunch) it was time to say our farewells. Before leaving we gathered all juniors from both clubs into court 2 for a group photograph whereby we sincerely thanked Dunhill for hosting us and providing some much delicious food and drinks. So onto the bus and we headed for McDonalds in Dungarvan.

Each junior was given a token of €5 from the junior squash committee to treat themselves to some well-earned food in McDonalds. The smiles on their faces as they tucked into their meals and mcflurrys was priceless. Back on the bus and time to go home. The journey home was also very entertaining thanks to the music provided by some of our older juniors at the back of the bus. We arrived safely back to Highfield thirty minutes ahead of time whereby our juniors went straight to the courts for more squash until their parents arrived - their energy levels are endless!

To finish we had a fantastic day and it was an absolute pleasure to take our juniors away – they are a terrific bunch of kids being so pleasant and polite. I would finally like to thank all of our coaches for all their time and effort throughout the year teaching and preparing our juniors for these trips and competitions. Also big thanks to all the junior officers for making this year such a success. We are really looking forward to next year’s outing already J .