How Mather turned one lost game into a state title
IT doesn’t take much for Kurstyn Mather to be inspired to perform at her best.
Just ask any of the Cairns squash star’s rivals at the Queensland School Sport Squash titles in Bundaberg.
Mather claimed her first state title in open girls after a ruthless unbeaten display.
The Trinity Bay State High School student made amends for last year when she lost the final to Metropolitan Wests player Ella Burge in 15 and under girls.
“I lost to Ella in five last year and I came back and beat her in three (games this year). I’m really happy with it,” Mather said. “It’s a great way to start off my U19 tournaments.”
But it wasn’t the final that inspired Mather, it was her first pool match against Wide Bay and Bundaberg’s Tasmin Swan.
Mather started well, winning the first two games before her Wide Bay rival fought back to claim the third game.
“I was like ‘I have to turn this around so I can get this over and done with,’” she said.
“It was all my mentality and turning it around and doing the best I could.”
Mather won the next game and went on to win all her games for the rest of the tournament.
“I tried my hardest to make sure nobody else got a game,” she said.
“I tried to do it in three the best I could.”
Mather’s plan worked and her performance qualified her for the state team to play New South Wales in August in New Zealand. But she might not be able to participate as she will be playing for Australia at the world junior squash championships at around the same time.
“I’m hoping I can play in New Zealand, but I have to focus on the worlds team before anything else.” she said.
“It’s hopefully going to boost my profile (competing at the world titles).”