Trio return a perfect verdict on new courts
THREE of the world’s leading squash players have tested out their new home courts at the University of Warwick’s state-of-the-art Sport and Wellness Hub.
Sarah-Jane Perry, Raphael Kandra and Iker Pajeres were invited to be the first players to hit on the courts.
The trio play for the University of Warwick and Kenilworth Premier Squash League (PSL) team, who are currently top of the Northern Division, and will play home games at the new centre when it opens in April.
The centre has six glass-backed squash courts, with space for 90 spectators on the show courts. Players will be able to choose how they play with adjustable height tins, ranging from 19-inch to 17-inch for professional level.
One of the courts is a doubles-court, which will facilitate elite level doubles play which is a feature of the Commonwealth Games. Sarah-Jane Perry is sixth in the world rankings and lives in Kenilworth – two miles from the Sport and Wellness Hub.
She said: “The building is absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait for it to open and to come and train here. “It’s quite difficult to balance having enough space for spectators and making sure they are close enough together to generate atmosphere but they have done that really well.
“The lighting is really good, which is important, and the wall and flooring have been finished well.
“Sometimes people can get put off because the squash courts are hidden out of the way and are separate – but that’s not the case here, they are front and centre stage.
“I only live just down the road so I’ll be looking to hit on the courts regularly and this is a real boost for the sport in the region.”
Sarah-Jane was joined on court by Raphael Kandra, world number 15 from Germany, and Iker Pajares, world number 63 from Spain.
Raphael said: “The atmosphere in here is going to be amazing.
“The courts are right in the centre of the club and it feels like home to us already.
“I’m really looking forward to playing here in front of a good crowd.”
Head squash coach Steve Townsend added: “The ethos of the hub is to be open and accessible to everyone and the glass-backed courts will give everyone who visits the hub a chance to see how dynamic our sport is.
“We want people for across the local area to get involved with squash and these courts will help us to do just that.”
n Sport and Wellness Hub memberships are now on sale with a range of packages available for the general public, students and staff.
To find out more information about University of Warwick’s Sport and Wellness Hub and the range of membership options visit www.warwick.ac.uk/sporthub
The building is absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait for it to open and to come and train here. Sarah-Jane Perry