Club News
Annual Squash Wales Presentation Evening 2024
Another successful year in the world of Merthyr Squash Club was rounded off at the annual Presentation evening where the club won Club of the Year for a third year running, and Mark Palmer took home Volunteer of the Year. Thank you to everyone in the club because without you we wouldn't be able to do we do. Roll on 2025!
01 A Club of the Year (Long Version 7m3s).mp402 A Volunteer of the Year (Long Version 6m).mp4Well we did it! 24 whole hours on the highest peak in South Wales, Pen y Fan. We went up and down 12 times in total, from some of the youngest junior members, to some of the most experienced, through the day and then through the night. At times conditions weren't the best to say the least, but everyone completed the challenge and did it with a smile full in the knowledge that their efforts were being rewarded by you and your donations, so thank you!
We're truly amazed by the level of generosity we've witnessed, and it's confirmed what we already knew. MSC isn't just a club, it's a close knit group of friends. You've helped the juniors of MSC can continue to receive subsidised courts, coaching and equipment; and helped ensure the future of Merthyr Squash Club.
Thank you
P.S. Ideas for next year welcome!? 🤣
24 hrs on PyF Reel.mp4We had club members competing all over the country this weekend!
First of all, Juniors Dan, Jack, Kayden and Tyler went all the way to Sheffield to compete for Wales in their age groups against the best of the rest of the country in the Inter Counties Finals. Well done to all involved.
Next up, Jill Griffiths played in Nottingham in 2024 Home Internationals and played amazingly well walking away with the Over 45's Runners Up trophy!
Gethin Poole (Under 15's), Jack Baldwin & Lenny Lewis (Both Under 13's) represented both MSC, and Wales this weekend in the annual 5 Nations tournament against England, France, Ireland and Scotland. They all played really well, despite some of the results going the wrong way, and played with pride and great sportsmanship. Well done boys, the club is proud of your achievements and can't wait to celebrate with you.
Merthyr Squash Club had the honour this weekend of hosting the Squash Wales competition - South Wales Junior Squash Open.
All entrants were a credit to their clubs with impeccable behaviour, maximum effort and great sportsmanship.
From a club point of view we are so proud of all our juniors who took part. They all performed admirably, mostly with a smile on their faces and played with passion and honesty. They were great ambassadors for the sport, the club, and the town.
Thank you all for entering and supporting the future of Welsh squash.
Huge congratulations to Gethin Poole (U 15's), Jack Baldwin and Lenny Lewis (both U 13's) for a massive achievement in being called up to represent Wales in April
The coaching team continues to grow as more and more members want to add their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the club members. This time Laurence, Matt and Mike have completed their Level 1 coaching award! Well done guys!
More club fundraising!
I am going to do 5 hours, non stop, of squash to try and raise money for this charity who have helped to support my family this year
To say thankyou, everyone who donates will have the chance to win a racket, chocolate or wine!
2wish provides immediate bereavement support for families, individuals and professionals who have suddenly and traumatically lost a child or young adult aged 25 years and under.
An amazing weekend of squash for the Davies Clark brothers with Evan winning the under 19's and Archie coming 5th in the under 15's. An excellent weekend of squash.
An excellent result for Jack playing in the Redland Junior Open finishing in second place. A champion in the making.
Our first milk bottle challenge winner. £133 a nice little earner for a Sunday Morning.
NEWSFLASH!!
Squash just made the Olympics! Have we got the first Olympic Champion in our Junior ranks?
Wonderful Fundraising
At age 4, Noah was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and underwent a gruelling three-year treatment. In his misfortune of battling cancer, Noah was one of the lucky ones, responding positively to the latest treatments available.
But not all children and young people fighting cancer have the same outcome. Some face an uphill battle that treatments alone can't always overcome.
In memory of those we've lost along the way, Noah has decided to part with the hair he's grown for four years.
This weekend saw 3 of our stars compete in the Squash Wales - Sboncen Cymru Welsh Championship at Sophia Gardens, competing well and battling hard to the latter end of the tournament.
Archie Davies Clarke won the C draw. Evan Davies Clarke won the B draw and Lewis Poole finished the championship as the 6th best Welsh player in the world!
Well done everyone!
Congratulations to Michael Cope and his wonderful new wife. Another wonderful wedding and great news for a club member outside of squash. Congrats mate!
Presentation Night 2023
Firstly, well done to all the award winners, but more importantly, thank you everyone in the club for making this year a huge success!
Presentation Night 2023.mp4Squash Mad? Yes we all are, but they came to visit after hearing about all the good work and progress that is happening at MSC. Read all about what they found out here!
Yet another Award for Dave Cope and Merthyr Squash Club
Dan Bufton of Active Merthyr and the town Mayor made the trip up to Merthyr to witness the incredible job David Cope and the coaching team are doing for the juniors of the town, and to award the Club Chairman with their prestigious award to recognise all the hard work he puts in behind the scenes for the club.
Well done Dave Cope!
First Ladies team match
Yes, it was a cold, miserable Summers evening, so the night wont be remembered for the weather, but instead for a new generation of Merthyr Squash Ladies who ventured out of the familiar comforts of Rhyd y Car and made the trip up to see Abergavenny Ladies for a friendly match.
Much fun, a great time and an eve better experience. Will this be the start of something new for the ladies of Merthyr Squash Club?
Joel Makin Came to visit!
What an amazing morning, Joel coming along to see the new juniors at Merthyr. The juniors were awestruck and will remember the day forever.
Thank you Joel, it was amazing to see you back were you began. I can only comment for myself however I am sure Bob and Clive feel as proud of your achievements as I do. We may not have taught you the skills but I am positive we planted the seed of love for the sport of Squash. Thanks again and good Luck for the next season.
Golf Social Day
Great fun, great mates, great laughter, awful golf. No more to add!
Squash Wales Presentation Evening 2023
During the Squash Wales presentation evening I received Club of the Year 2023, on behalf of us all. It is a true reflection of our team work and the effort we have put in over the past few years. I would like to recognise the main drivers behind this award.
Mark Palmer who does so much that is unseen.
The coaching team - Lewis Poole, Anthony Roberts, Mark Palmer and Laurence Darcy.
Team Captains - Anthony Roberts, Marc Lewis, Mark Palmer, Mathew Lewis, Craig Poole.
Our Junior mentor Craig Poole.
Cath, Our Child Protection Officer
Ashley Davies, Dai Burvil, Gavin Griffith's, Mark Palmer, Mike McCarthy and Peter Davies who advise, listen and guide.
Peter Davies for his hospitality.
These are a few names however without everyone picking up their racket and getting on court we would not be here today.
Finally I would personally like to thank our Partners.
Treads Tyres
INSURGO
Tydfil Training
Albion Office Solutions
ICE Electrical
HEAT SENSE
Greenaway Autos
Phillip Cope Financial Services
Sport Wales
National Lottery
Active Merthyr
Merthyr Leisure Trust
SQUASH WALES
Without your financial and technical support we would not be able to deliver the world's greatest sport, to our members, new, young and old.
Thank you
David Cope (Club Chairman)
Newton/Abbot & Torquay Trip 2023
Ok, so the squash perhaps wasn't the most successful, especially after the Friday night's late night liquid refreshments, but a great time was had by all players from both teams. Well fought matches, good food, great company and lots of laughter. Roll on Newton Abbot and Torquay 2024...whos in?
Amsterdam Open
Rising star Archie 'Mr Orange' Davies Clark was in Amsterdam this weekend. Having to go through the ordeal of a pre-qualifying process to gain entry to the tournament, and losing in the first round to a favourite, Archie played well and after finishing runner up in the plate competition he was ranked at a more then respectable 34th out more than 60 players.
Inaugural Merthyr Open
I may be biased, however Squash is like no other sport, and it was proven once again during Merthyr Squash Clubs first One Day Tournament. Inclusivity is a modern priority, yet squash has always been inclusive. The only things that count are your attitude, effort and performance. Full Internationals and serious amateurs, male and female, juniors as young as 12 let loose to terrorise the senior players coming from as far West as Carmarthen, and as far South as Torquay resulted in a truly amazing day.
I became emotional when presenting the prizes at the end of the day, due to the success of the day and how much it means to me personally, and us a club. I would like to congratulate all the winners; and thank everyone who competed, the staff at Merthyr Leisure Centre and most importantly Greg Tippings (https://www.gtsquash.com/) for supporting us by giving his time and expertise to empower the club to run more of these events in the future.
- David Cope (Club Chairman)
MSC Club Championship 2023
The month of May has seen the first round of the annual Club Championships - for the Juniors, Ladies and Adult competition, with finals day held at the start of June. It was a chance for over 70 of the club members to put their skills to the test, and the results didn't always go as expected. We had ranking upsets, tie-breaks, cheers and tears, and all manner of banter and laughter along the way.
Thank you to all who took part, and congratulations to all the winners!
Inaugural South Wales Junior League
A Saturday morning coaching the juniors - what could be better? Well on 27th May, Merthyr Squash Club hosted the pilot event for a new South Wales Junior League including six clubs and eleven teams,.
Loads of smiling faces, sweaty brows and some amazing performances - our juniors did themselves proud and played with passion, pride and a smile. A fantastic few hours of Squash and a great start to the South Wales Junior League.
Thanks to all who attended from the other clubs, but also to Dowden, Merthyr's AM, and to Paul Grey, one of the clubs partners to wit the beginning of something great.
Save the Date
European Team Junior Championships
Congratulations Archie Davies Clark who represented Wales Under 15's in the European Squash Championships in Prague this weekend. In teams of 3, on more than one occasion Archie pulled the them through to victory in the final leg ignoring the pressure. Overall, Archie helped his team to a 6th place finish in the whole of Europe - well done team, super performance!
Inter Counties
Once again some of our talented Juniors were away this weekend spreading the word of Merthyr Squash while representing Wales in the National Inter-counties.
Kayden and Jack played with a smile and performed really well, however the highlight was certainly meeting a hero in James Willstrop. The weekend finished as the boys finished 7th out of the 16 competing teams in the Under 11's.
Archie helped the Under 15's to finish 4th in the country including a big win against an opponent he hasn't beaten before.
Excellent boys...keep up the great work!
Devon & Exeter Graded Tournament
Our very own fixture secretary travelled to Exeter to take part in their annual graded tournament, pictured with organiser Curtis Corby, and eventual A Grade winner Dave Palmer. A well organised tournament in a great club, whilst his squash wasn't the best to start (lets blame the long drive!) it all came together come the end and finish on a high and convincingly winning the final game in the C Grade, and more importantly, 'borrowed' some good ideas for how to develop our own club!!
East Gloucester PSA Satellite Tournament
Head Coach Lewis entered the PSA satellite tournament against some of the best players in the UK where he was given a wildcard entry. Unfortunately for Lewis his tournament ended in disaster and in A&E after his knee exploded on court. All fingers, legs (not yours Lewis) and eyes crossed for a speedy recovery!
Maesteg Junior Open 2023
This weekend, some of our more experienced Junior members members played in Maesteg in the Junior Open. All played super well and were a credit to themselves and their sport. Well done to Archie who won the Boys Under 15's and Jack who finished 2nd in the Under 11's.
Junior Match in Bridgend
Thank you Bridgend Squash Club and all their juniors for inviting our juniors to play a match. Lots of squash, laughing and fun. The future is secure.
Coaches in Training
Look what three of our Club Coaches have been doing this weekend? Thanks Sian Johnson and Squash Wales for helping Head Coach Lewis, Coach Anthony and Coach Mark work towards gaining their Level 2 Club Coach award! Can you spot the three studious, well behaved pupils at the back of the class?!
Wiltshire Closed
It seems the sphere of influence of Merthyr Squash Club is spreading as our one and only Tim McQue entered the 2023 Wiltshire Closed tournament. Much enjoyment later Tim managed to finish a respectable 3rd in the plate competition for the over 35's; but perhaps more importantly, there was no lasting damage to the injured calf muscle which bodes well for the forthcoming season. Well done Tim, super effort!
Welsh Junior Closed 2023
Yet another competition, yet more entrants from Merthyr Squash Club!
Kayden and Jack both played in the Under 11's, finishing 4th and 2nd respectively. Gethin played well in the Under 13's finishing 4th, while Dan, Kian and the more experienced Archie played in the Under 15's, finishing 8th, 7th and 1st! Great result Archie!
More important than the results however, the boys all represented the club with distinction. Many parents and officials commented on their positive attitudes and sportsmanlike behaviour. Well done boys, for competing and representing the club so well. Proud of you all!
Newport Open Competition
Well done to Club players Matthew Lewis and Mark Palmer in the Newport Open Super Series tournament on 15.1.23. The results weren't as hoped for, but it was plenty of fun and a good warm up for the new season.
British Junior Open
Well done Archie Davies Clarke who recently played in the British Junior Open in Birmingham. Representing Wales against of the best Juniors from across the world. Playing in an age category 2 years above his age, Archie competed well, taking out one of the seeded players in a great start to his competition. A great experience on his squash journey, well done Archie, the club are proud of your achievement.
Inter-Counties
Some of our Junior members recently represented Merthyr Junior Squash, and South Wales at the British Inter-counties. Jack Baldwin and Kayden Roberts both won their first cap in the Under 11 age category, and Archie Davies Clarke played in the Under 15's. While the Under 15's will continue in the plate competition, the Under 11's will progress to the finals in March. Well done to all the teams and players who competed and represented their clubs.
