ATHLETES GEAR UP
Aussie squash player Lisa Camilleri gets ready for Gold Coast 2018
Q How did you get started in squash?
A. I started out as a four-yearold and played because my mum played. I grew up in a small town called Tully where it rained a lot. My mum played a lot of tennis but as the courts were always rained out she started to play an indoor sport called squash. I was there a few days a week watching her play and started having a hit myself and soon fell in love with it.
Q What do you enjoy most about squash?
A. I enjoy all its aspects. You need speed, endurance,
reflexes, flexibility and it is mentally tough because you’re on your own and don’t have team members to help you out. You need to think about where to hit the ball and tactics on the court. No matter how good you are, you can still learn more. It is just a very exciting game.
Q What experiences have you had from squash?
A. I’ve had the best 20 years. I’ve travelled the world and met so many people. I’ve experienced so much and I see squash as my apprenticeship as it has opened so many opportunities. You just live a healthy and fit lifestyle and are surrounded by people who care about themselves and fitness.
Q How often to you train?
A. I train three to five hours a day, six days a week. I probably do about 10 hours a week on court and the rest of it is made up of strength and fitness work. From Monday to Saturday I train and I also have to do a lot of recovery work. Even when I’m home watching TV I’m on the floor stretching and rolling out, keeping my body in good condition so I can be prepared for training.
Q Have you had any injuries?
A. I’ve had one major injury. I tore my plantar fascia in my foot which is the main element that keeps your arch supported. I was having plantar fasciitis beforehand, so I was having a painful foot most days to the point where I could barely walk. Being an athlete, I had to keep training through it. When I was playing in a tournament in Malaysia I actually ruptured the plantar fascia. I had to fly home and was put in a moon boot for four months and when I started playing again I ruptured it again. I decided to have surgery and now I don’t have a plantar fascia in my foot, which was a big risk because at the time, they weren’t sure if I could play at elite level again. I had to do a lot of rehab and train the other muscles in my foot to take up the job of what my plantar fascia did.
Q Have you competed in a Commonwealth Games before?
A. If I get selected for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next year it will be my third time. I have also represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Deli, 2010 and the Games in Glasgow, 2014.
Q Besides getting the chance to compete, what excites you the most about the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games?
A. The Athletes Village is always really cool as it’s kind of like being on a planet full of athletes. You get to see all the different sports and the different athletes walk around. You also have the food hall which is awesome and the atmosphere is incredible.
Q What is your highest ranking?
A. My highest ranking was 28th just before I ruptured my plantar fascia. It’s been a bit of a battle trying to get my ranking back up and I’m currently ranked 70th in the world.
Q What is your proudest athletic achievement?
A. I think representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games is always special because squash isn’t in the Olympics. So anytime I represent Australia is special. Leading up to my highest ranking I dominated the world tour. That means I won all the tournaments in Australia that year which got me to my highest world ranking. But representing Australia in Deli and Glasgow were highlights.
Q You share a clothing label called Backyard Birdies. Can you explain that?
A. Yeah, Backyard Birdies is my little baby. My partner and I share the company. I worked for Squash Australia for a while and my job was to find green and gold outfits for the team. Being a smaller group, a lot of clothing companies didn’t provide uniforms for a small team. We either had to shop around for green and gold outfits or get a selection of skirts that weren’t as flattering as we wanted. So, I created Backyard Birdies to do custom apparel for teams. I do all the designing for the uniforms and it’s been a sideline while I play squash, but I’m looking to retire after the Commonwealth Games and work full time with Backyard Birdies.
Q How do you juggle your training with your other commitments?
A. I’m wearing a few hats at the moment as I love coaching juniors. I do coaching as well as working for Backyard Birdies. I’m also doing a bit of work for the Queensland Squash sporting schools co-ordinator. It’s hard but my priority is training and if I want to achieve my goals I really need to make time and make it work. Squash doesn’t get a lot of funding support so we have to work as well as train. If you are really passionate about something you just make it work.
Q What are your goals for the future?
A. One of my major goals is to be an ambassador for female squash. I’d love to do some elite girls’ camps or anything to promote female squash. I’d also love to carry Backyard Birdies to a lot of different sports.
Q What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
A. Follow your dreams. You come to different parts of life and opportunities are thrown at you but listen to what you want in life and go and grab it.
Makenzie Newton
Year 6
St Francis Xavier