After two years of COVID disruption, Horsham can now look forward to hosting the Victorian Masters Squash Association championships this month.
Some of the country’s most talented masters players will contest the open championships from 15 to 17 July. While the majority will be Victorian players, there is also expected to be a mix of NSW, ACT and SA competitors visiting the town.
Horsham Rural City mayor Cr Robyn Gulline said she was looking forward to welcoming the athletes.
“Holding major sporting events is something we do extremely well here,” Cr Gulline said.
“I am delighted that the VMSA has chosen Horsham for such an important event and we look forward to them taking advantage of the amazing facilities, hotels and cafes we have to offer,” she said.
VMSA events are open to men aged over 35 and women aged over 30. Tournaments regularly include players in their 70s and often 80s who still have a healthy, competitive drive.
Horsham Squash Club president Tim Hopper said since the club learned it had won the rights back, there had been significant interest from across the region.
“This will be the third time we’ve hosted the tournament and it has been a big winner for our small club each time,” Mr Hopper said.
“We compete against bigger clubs like Ballarat, Bendigo and Shepparton so it’s a good result for our hard working committee,” he said.
Hopper said Horsham Rural City Council support had also played an important part in attracting the tournament, which brings hundreds of visitors to town.
“They helped with negotiations for the event and a recent HRCC grant ensured we were able to complete our LED lighting program by finishing the final two courts,” he said. VMSA chair Lou Morsch said he was pleased to return for the winter championships in Horsham. “Our players often talk about how much they enjoy playing in Horsham and how welcome they felt,” Mr Morsch said.
“Horsham has bent over backwards to support us in the past and both the club and Horsham Rural City Council have been invested in our championships,” he said.
Horsham Squash Club has six climate-controlled courts, including two-glass backed show courts and four recently refurbished courts.
Horsham last hosted the state masters championship in 2019.
