🐯 Autumn Sparks Rehearsal Tournament - Exton, October 4

Our Autumn Sparks Rehearsal Tournament lit up the Exton Club this Saturday, with 30 players taking to the courts across three competitive divisions. It was a cracking day of proper match play, plenty of graft, and more than a few smiles along the way.

What’s a Rehearsal Tournament?

For anyone new to the Tigers family, here’s the scoop.Rehearsal Tournaments are our very own in-house events, designed to give players the feel of a proper competition without the faff of rankings or ratings. Everyone gets three to four matches in a single day, learning to handle the match day nerves, sharpen tactics, and build the mindset needed to thrive on the bigger U.S. Squash Tour. It is the perfect mix, serious enough to stretch you but friendly enough to help you grow.

Premier League: Mazen Shows the Way

Our newly appointed New Jersey Squash Director, Mazen Gamal, did not just turn up to watch, he strapped in and showed the young Tigers how it is done. Mazen powered through a strong field, beating Jack in the final after a string of  high quality matches.What made the day extra special was how Mazen spent his time coaching in the breaks, spotting strengths and weaknesses, sharing wee nuggets of wisdom, and keeping the whole crew buzzing. A proper masterclass in playing and teaching at the same time.Lovely to have Parth home for the weekend, Rubens showing the rewards of his recent hard graft, and the likes of Brandon and Max fighting tooth and nail.🎉 Special cheers to James, who turned 18 just the day before and still came out swinging. That is the spirit we love to see!

Division 1: Johnny’s First RT Title

Division 1 was full of fire and close run battles. Johnny bounced back from his qualifying defeat at the hands of Coach Laurent and grabbed his first ever Rehearsal Tournament crown in his first appearance.  He edged past Eloise in a cracking final. Amelia and Joyce rounded out the podium after some solid performances of their own.This lot, joined by Ellen, Zushi, Aryan, and Angie, gave us some of the most exciting, watchable squash of the day. Big things ahead for this crew; they are shaping up for a belter of a season.

Division 2: Young Tigers on the Charge

Our youngest Tigers came out roaring in Division 2. Avi stormed to the title, toppling Aalene in the final, with Sarah bagging a well earned podium finish. The U13 and U11 squads are coming on strong, loads of talent bubbling up here, and it is brilliant to see the future taking shape.

Why These Events Matter

Rehearsal Tournaments are a key part of what we do at Squash Tigers.Elite prep: proper match play for those gearing up for the West Coast JCT next weekend and the Penn Gold right after.Player development: a competitive but kind environment for anyone still finding their feet on the U.S. Squash Tour.It is a place to test yourself, learn a thing or two, and enjoy the game without the ranking pressure.

What’s Next

Our next Rehearsal Tournament is set for New Jersey on November 1. It is the perfect chance to see where you are at, pick up more match experience, and kick the winter season into gear.

📧 Drop a wee note to your coaches if you fancy playing. We would love to see you on court!