Action Squash is Coming!

 

Action Squash is our new format VSL squash competition starting in autumn 2010.
Aimed at social players who have not played pennant before, Action Squash is an opportunity to build formal participation in the sport in a new demographic.

 

Action Squash is:

  • Aimed at 20 somethings and juniors (but not excluding other age groups)
  • Mixed
  • Timed matches
  • Modified Rules
  • PAR Scoring
  • Short seasons
  • A stepping stone to pennant

 

The Format:


1. Matches are played on Fridays commencing at 6.30 pm.

2. Timed, short and sharp. Set start and finishing times.

3. Total match time 2 hours including changeovers.

4. No compulsory suppers.

5. Matches comprise two singles rubbers and a doubles rubber

6. Teams can be between 2 and 4 people

7. Mixed

8. Rubbers are divided into three 10 minute ‘games' PAR. Highest points win. The team with the highest points wins on the night.

9. Modified rules include:

a. Eyewear - compulsory for doubles, recommended for singles. (U19 compulsory)
b. Single yellow dot ball
c. Strokes for hitting your opponent with the ball or racquet (to encourage let calls).
d. Five point penalty for late starts

10. Seasons will be divided into summer, autumn, winter and spring based on school terms:

a. Summer - a grading season of 6 weeks (Four team grades)
b. Autumn - 10 weeks (Six team grades)
c. Winter - grading, 6 weeks
d. Spring - 10 weeks

11. Low fees:

 
a. $20 per player per year Squashvic insurance and registration).
b. $20 per team per season VSL costs (results, admin etc). (Subsidised by existing comps).
c. $25 per player once off ‘joining fee' to cover the provision of subsidised eyewear
d. $25 per team court fees (divided into 2,3 or 4 players on any night - pay as a team)

12. Team names: Teams will be registered under team names to increase the fun aspect of the comp. So instead of Upwey 2 or Mountain District 3 we'll be requiring teams to choose a team name.

13. Orientation: Clubs and centres will be asked to hold an orientation night on the Friday prior to each season to cover issues like start time, format, rules, eyewear, refereeing, scoring, etc. This could will be followed up with an informal round robin.

 

Next Steps for Centres and Clubs:

1. Start talking to your social players about the new competition

2. Register the names of people interested and keep them informed

3. Let us know what you think

4. Let us know the level of interest

The VSL have forwarded marketing materials to each centre. If you need more material us the Contact Us web page.

 

Additional Info for centres, Clubs and players:

1. Season commencement and Team Registration

a. The first summer season will commence on Friday February 5th
b. Team entries close on Friday Jan 29th.
c. Entry forms have been distributed so contact us if you need more.
d. Future season start dates are being planned.

2. Eye wear

a. Eyewear is compulsory for doubles and all players under 19yo.
b. We will develop a welcome pack for players which will include squash approved eyewear that can also be ordered and provided by the centre.
c. Your initial ‘joining fee' covers the cost of eyewear.
d. Centres can contact Daniel Tanner from Knox/Bayswater to obtain eye wear. (9729 7322)

3. Fees

a. All team fees and Squashvic registration is to be submitted to the VSL with team entries.
b. The ‘joining fee' covers eyewear
c. Pennant fees are to be paid as a team on the night i.e. teams each pay $25 for the team sheet before commencing play (like basketball).

4. Player Demographic

a. This competition is strongly targeted at players who have never played organised squash pennant. More experienced players should be referred to existing pennant competitions.
b. There is no restriction on age however we see it attracting 20 somethings

5. Orientation: Plan for an orientation night on Friday Jan 29th

6. Rules

a. Modified rules will be formalised and advised however we will be implementing the changes as outlined.
b. Doubles rules are available via this link http://www.worldsquash.org.uk/WSF2008DoublesRules.pdf
Doubles rules align closely with singles.

1. Serving order is: Team A player 1, hand out, Team B player 1, hand out, Team A player 2, hand out, Team B player 2 etc.
2. Players must choose a side to receive service and this remains the same during the game but can be changed after each game
3. Players must choose a serving order (i.e. Player 1 or Player 2) and this must remain the same throughout the match
4. Strokes are rare unless there is a situation where a player hits a straight ball directly near themselves.

7. Transition to other Pennants: We believe that a proportion of those playing will want to try traditional squash after they have played a season or two. If there is sufficient demand we will introduce a novice competition with amended rules to the current VSL competitions to aid that transition.