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Squash players hit new levels at Australian titles, 9 October 2008
Four Academy squash players have just returned with successful results at the Australian Championships in Perth last week. Brad Soutar (boys 19-years), Kasey Soutar (girls 15), Darcy St John (boys 15), and Ben Tomison (boys 13) played for Victoria in the State teams competition and in the following individual championships.
With two girls and two boys in each age group representing Victoria, the four Academy players comprised a quarter of the Victorian squad. We had two representatives last year.
Victoria finished fourth overall, an advance on last year's 5th place, and our Academy players, who delivered better on-court performances this year, were able to contribute more effectively than in 2007.
The individual titles were open to all-comers. In their respective age groups Kasey and Brad finished 6th, Ben was 5th and Darcy was 13th. Kasey, Brad and Ben were the top Victorians in their groups, with Darcy second in his, only narrowly behind his Victorian teammate.
The results represent a significant gain on last year's when our best individual result was 7th. This year we had three who finished above that, with all players showing improvement on last year's results.
In the individual titles Brad Soutar, although in the more competitive 19-year age group this season, was higher placed (6th) than last year (7th). Recently returned from training and competition in Europe, Brad is now playing better than ever.
Despite being in the shadow of elder brother Brad, Kasey Soutar is Victoria's best 15-years girl and, with her Australian 6th place, has also had big gains since last year.
Darcy St John's individual 13th place in the 15-year boys' titles is another significant advancement on last year, but is still an understatement of his true ability. During the interstate challenge Darcy made a great contribution to the Victorian team's third place and he deserved a better result in the individual titles.
Since joining the Academy last year Ben Tomison has been an impressive performer. Barely 12 months after his first major tournament, Ben has now achieved 5th place in the Australian 13-years boys' championship, an outstanding achievement.
The results are a credit to all players' dedication and commitment and we congratulate them on their great performances in the teams and individual events.
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Tough tournament for squash three, 28 July 2008
Three members of the Academy's squash squad competed in the VSF Junior Series Graded Tournament yesterday. With the absence of the top seeds at overseas or interstate events most players were upgraded.
Despite their relatively young ages, our three, Darcy St John, Kasey Soutar and Ben Tomison found themselves playing a level higher, in A, B and C grades respectively.
Even with the tougher competition, Darcy was runner up in his grade, Kasey finished third, and Ben won the C grade event.
Earlier in the day all three had completed one of their VIS High Performance Program training sessions. The training was at an intensity high enough to affect the afternoon's performances, which made Kasey's, Ben's and Darcy's performances all the more meritorious.
One of those not attending either session was Brad Soutar, a member of last year's Academy squad. Brad is currently in Zurich, Switzerland to compete in the World Junior Championships. Brad had left early to train with Australian expatriate players in the lead-in to the championships, and is now engaged in the preliminary rounds of the singles.
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Wonderful Victorian squash titles outcomes, 2 July 2008
Three Academy players achieved excellent outcomes in last weekend's Victorian Junior Championships. Kasey Soutar won the 15 years girls' title, Darcy St John won the 15 years boys', and Ben Tomison was third in the 13 years' boys.
All three have since been confirmed with Victorian no.1 rankings in their age groups and have been selected into the Victorian team. They will travel to Perth in September for the Australian Junior Championships.
Many of the rounds were tough going. With only two teams places available for each section this added pressure on the players. Ben Tomison was unfortunate to lose one of his rounds and this dropped him to third place on the points count. Despite the championship loss, Ben's results during the season have been solid enough for him to secure the Victorian no. 1 ranking and hence the top place on the Victorian team.
Brad Soutar, with the Academy until last year, also won his event for 19 years boys and will be in the Victorian squad as well. Including Brad, there are four Gippsland athletes in the 16-person Victorian team.
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Academy squash three return from Malaysia, 11 June 2008
Three Academy squash players gained valuable experience in two recent international tournaments in Malaysia. Those on the VIS-sponsored trip were Brad Soutar, Kasey Soutar and Darcy StJohn.
In the Milo All-Star Championships held in Kuala Lumpur, Kasey made it through to the semi-finals, and both Brad and Darcy made the quarter finals. The athletes found it challenging to adjust to the climate and the different rebound of the ball, particularly due to the extreme humidity. Average daily temperatures were 40 degrees which, for players unused to the climate, added further difficulties to their play.
In Penang for the second tournament all three players improved their games as they had become more adjusted to the conditions. Darcy finished in 9th position, only just losing in 5 to a player from Japan, and Brad and Kasey both finished 13th.
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Squash players on top, 9 May 2008
At the VSL graded for age Junior Championships last weekend Kyle Hargreaves and Tom Mcintosh had outstanding results in their first-time State tournament matches. Tom won the Novice section and Kyle was runner up in E grade.
Congratulations to both boys for their great start. The results will put put Kyle and Tom in line for Victorian rankings for 2008. Ben Tomison and Darcy St John, grade winners as well, will tighten their hold on their existing top rankings.
In the VSL's most recent rankings, released 1st May, prior to last weekend's tournament, the Academy's squash squad dominates the Victorian junior categories. In the 10 age groups the Academy has four athletes who currently lead with no. 1 rankings.
These are our squad members who are on the list:
- U19 boys: Brad Soutar (no. 1);
- U15 boys: Darcy St John (no. 1);
- U15 girls: Kasey Soutar (no. 1) ;
- U13 boys: Ben Tomison (no. 1), Chris Rounds (no. 13);
- U11 boys: Jordan Rounds (no. 7)
Former Academy athlete Nicola Templeton is also third in U17 girls.
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Squash three off to Malaysia, 9 May 2008
Three Academy squash athletes, Brad Soutar, Kasey Soutar and Darcy St John will compete in the Milo Allstar Junior Championships in Malaysia later this month.
All three are concurrently members of the Victorian Institute of Sport and will join with other VIS members on the trip. For Kasey and Darcy it will be their first overseas competition.
The three will be involved in a preliminary conditioning program to help them to adjust to Malaysia's heat and humidity. They will undertake specific training sessions in climate-controlled chamber.
The championships commence on 24 May.
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Squash champions into VIS, 6 December 2007
Three of the Academy's most talented squash players have been offered scholarships with Victorian Institute of Sport for 2008. They are Brad Soutar, Kasey Soutar and Darcy St John.
Brad and Darcy are currently scholarship holders and have been involved in VIS programs during this year, but it will be the first time for Kasey, a talented player who represented Victoria at the Australian Championships.
A VIS scholarship is a natural pathway for the Academy's best squash players as it provides specialised high performance programs under some of Australia's best squash coaches.
In addition to these three, a fourth Academy squash player, Robert Templeton, also won a VIS scholarship two years ago.
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Schools win for Maffra three, 6 December 2007
Congratulations to our three Academy squash players who helped to secure a great win for Maffra in the Victorian Secondary School Championships last week.
Kyle Hargreaves, Sam Montague and Tim Liddell formed the core of the Maffra team which won the year 8 boys championship. The competition mainly involved metropolitan schools, each with 4-person teams. Maffra was undefeated during the day and overcame University in a close final.
Kyle, Sam and Tim are new to the Academy's squash squad this year and have made significant progress, so this result is well-deserved.
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Academy squash three at Nationals, 9 October 2007
Brad Soutar, Kasey Soutar and Darcy St John played at the Australian Junior Squash Championships in Queensland last week. The Championships are individual titles followed by State Teams Championships.
With on-court temperatures averaging 45 degrees, the Victorian team members struggled in the conditions. Queensland is traditionally the strongest state and again won the Teams Championship. The Victorians were fifth.
In the individual championships the best result was from Brad Soutar who finished 7th in the 17 year age group.
In the 15 year girls, Kasey Soutar finished 23rd after a disadvantageous draw, despite playing well. The teams championship followed and Kasey performed consistently, as well or better than in her individual event.
Darcy St John (15 years boys) finished 28th which was below his expectations. However, Darcy suffered with illness during the championships, so his final result is a credit to his overall fitness and determination.
Victorian coaches were complementary about the three Academy players and believe that their disciplined approach augurs well for all three to have continuing advancement in the future.
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Squash squad dominates Vic titles, 13 September 2007
Last Sunday the Academy Squash Squad members were extraordinarily successful at the Victorian Graded Squash Championships.
Darcy St John won B Grade, Kasey Soutar won C Grade, Ben Tomlinson won E Grade, Tekin Benli was 4th in the Novices grade, and Brandon Sauer won the Beginners.
The A Grade title was won by Brad Soutar, now with the Victorian Institute of Sport. Brad is a former Academy squad member who still trains with the squad.
Kasey Soutar's performance also won her the the Squash Development Award, which is valued at $500.
Head Coach Neil Young was delighted by the the results, and he clearly deserves credit for being able to lift all players into top form at this vital stage of the season.
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Kasey Soutar selected for Victoria, 31 July 2007
Kasey Soutar has been selected to play in the Victorian team (U15 girls) in the Australian Junior Championships.
Kasey will join her brother Brad (U17 boys) and Nicola Templeton (U17 girls), both former Academy athletes, in the 16 member Victorian Team.
Other Academy athletes are also expected to attend the Championships to compete in the individual events.
The Individual Championships will be held in Queensland from 28 September. Team Championships will commence on 4 October.
Strong showing for squash players, 14 June 2007
At the East Gippsland Junior Championships last weekend Academy players achieved outstanding results.
Former Academy player Mathew Terrill won the A grade championship, with current athletes Damien Barnes, Darcy St John, Nathan Stewart, Michael Barnes and David Marsh in the next 5 places.
Kasey Soutar was the best performed girl, with 6th place in the B grade. She finished just behind Jamie Brierley.
Ben Tomison was 2nd in the C grade and Kyle Hargraves came fifth.
D grade was dominated by Academy players. The first four were Sam Montague, Tim Liddell, Chris Rounds and Jordan Rounds. Tekin Benli had his second win in two weeks in the E grade event, with Brandan Sauer in 3rd place.
All of our players performed well, especially as the event followed straight after an Academy training session!
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Squash Squad in season's first major competition, 7 June 2007
In last weekend's Metro Junior Age Tournament, our new squad had their first taste of top-line competition.
Newcomer to the Academy, Ben Tomison, in his first major tournament, stayed focussed all day and won the E Grade division. Tekin Benlis, in the same division, finished 6th.
In B grade Darcy St John, Damien Barnes and Michael Barnes all played well and finished in 4th, 5th, and 7th positions.
David Marsh was 4th in the C Grade, showing great resilience after several close matches. Jamie Brierley also played well and finished 8th.
Our young players were quite weary by the end of their matches. Some had left home as early as 4 am to get to the tournament, so tiredness was another difficulty on top of the tough draws they all faced. However, all players performed extremely well and will have gained from this experience.
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