Madibaz star gains world experience

Madibaz player Hayley Ward relished the opportunity to further her promising squash career after ending seventh in the World University Championships in England earlier in September.

The 20-year-old accounting student was a member of the SA team which played in the individual and team events in Birmingham.

SA finished sixth in the team competition.

Although she knew the competition would be stiff, Ward said it was probably an advantage she did not know that much about her rivals.

“I think that was a good thing as you didn’t get psyched out before you even were on court,” she said.

The Madibaz player, who won the EP Closed earlier this year, showed her resilience by winning her first match in five games, against Sum Yin Li of Hong Kong.

She followed that up by defeating New Zealand’s Eleanor Epke, seeded 5-8, in the next round, also in five games.

“To beat a seeded player to go through to the quarters was a special memory,” Ward said.

“Another highlight was playing my final individual match on the full glass court, which was an amazing experience all on its own.”

She said just being part of the national team and supporting the other players made it a tournament to remember.

“Overall, it was an amazing experience.

“I am so happy I got to go with a great bunch of teammates and managers who made the trip even more special,” she said.

This was Ward’s first appearance at the world university event and she was able to absorb a number of lessons during the competition.

“It provides a chance for you to see how players from around the world approach the game and how it differs from us.

“I also got to watch some of the top players, especially in the men’s category, where you had a player ranked as high as number 25 [Yip Tsz Fung of Hong Kong] in the world.”