The 14th Mount Gay Caribbean Area Squash Association Championships commences Thursday at the Barbados Squash Club in Hastings. This is the premier squash event in the Caribbean and the top names in regional squash will be in action over the ten day tournament. Over 80 players from Bahamas, Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, OECS and Venezuela will journey to Barbados to compete in the Individual and Team events. This will be the largest squash event hosted in Barbados since 1989.
The event is being hosted by the Barbados Squash Rackets Association and supported by corporate sponsors: Mount Gay, Sagicor, Illuminat, Trident Insurance, Guinness, Banks and Smirnoff Ice.
Barbados, the current overall team champions, will be looking to defend their title on home courts but will meet aggressive challenges from Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana who will be sending a full contingent of Ladies, Men and Veterans.
In the Individual Championships, the Men’s Title will be up for grabs with the absence of two-time individual champion Luke Fraser of Guyana. High ranking Bermuda stars Gary Plumstead and Nick Kyme along with James Bullock of Jamaica are expected to be major contenders in this event. Barbados’ top ranked player Gavin Cumberbatch will also be looking to make his mark as he moves up the ladder in regional rankings. In the Ladies competition, Caribbean Squash Queen Marlene West will try to maintain her top ranking with Barbadian team member Karen Meakins, Guyanese Nicolette Fernandes and fellow Jamaican Karen Anderson aiming to dethrone her.
The Individual tournament ends with the finals Sunday evening and team competition will begin Monday August 25th.
Barbados Team is as follows:
Men’s Team
ANDY GILL (captain) – Andy Gill, an experienced competitor, is known forhis excellent reach and his patient, consistent play. Andy excels in teamcompetition and has “dug deep” on numerous occasions to pull off unexpectedvictories. In 2003 Andy won the A Division of the Black Knight BarbadosOpen and continued in fine form to become the Men’s Champion at theNationals. This is his eighth year representing Barbados.
GAVIN CUMBERBATCH – Gavin Cumberbatch is Barbados’ top ranked player. Gavinhas grown from strength to strength as he transitioned from juniors toseniors. Barbados’ youngest ever National Champion has completed two yearsat Yale University where he has climbed the ladder to the Number 3 positionand completed the 2002-2003 season without a loss. Gavin was second andthird respectively at the recently concluded Sunbeach Barbados Open and StLucia Open. He has represented Barbados at the senior level for five years.
MARLON WHITE – A regular in the team for almost a decade, Marlon hasimproved steadily ever since. Marlon has a wide array of shots and on agood day will give the best players in the region a run for their money.He was third at this year’s Nationals. He has been training hard this yearand is looking to use his experience and fitness to his best advantage atthe CASA Championships.
RHETT CUMBERBATCH – This is the second year Rhett will make an appearanceat the senior level, following in his big brother Gavin’s footsteps by makingthe senior team at 15 years old in 2002. Like his older brother, Rhettcontinues to rack up Junior National titles while making the upwardtransition to senior level squash. Now one year older & stronger, Rhettwill be looking to make an impact at the tournament by surprisingcompetitors with his fitness and agility on court.
SHAWN SIMPSON – This natural athlete divides his sporting time betweenvolley ball and squash. His squash has shown continuous improvement as hisgame matured from one focused on pace to include a full repertoire ofshots. He is tall and fast and hits the ball harder than any other localplayer. Shawn gave an excellent performance at the CAC Games in El Salvadorin November 2002 where he won three of his four team matches. In 2003 Shawnwas the Mens’ runner-up at the Nationals.
NIGEL GRIFFITH (Men’s Veteran Over-40) – Nigel otherwise known as “The Dragon” is a seasonedcompetitor and is feared for his tremendous fighting spirit. This isNigel’s second year representing Barbados in the Over 40 category and hisendurance and patient play will make him a difficult opponent to conquer.Nigel was fourth at this year’s Nationals.
LEON TRUSS (Men’s Veteran Over-50) – Leon returns to defend his 2001 Over 50 title on his homecourt. This former Over 40 Caribbean Champion continues to use his excellent court craft to confuse and wrong-foot all who oppose him. Thiswily competitor still holds his own against much younger players who fall prey to his unique style of play.
Ladies Team
SONIA PERKINS (Captain) – Sonia is still the only left-hander on the teamand like fine wine, she seems to be getting better every year. She has been aconsistent member of the team and was critical to victory for the Barbados Ladies teamat the last CASA Championships. She finished second in the Nationals andthird in the Sunbeach Barbados Open. Sonia’s dedication and determination,combined with her thinking on court, makes her a difficult opponent foranyone.
CARLA JACKSON – Carla has been around squash for many years, from juniorthrough senior level. She has returned home from studying up North to jointhe Team. From her years as a junior, Carla’s determination and will to succeedhas won her many a match. She is a fierce competitor who never gives up.
JENNY ARMSTRONG – Jenny has worked hard at her squash this year. Evenmoving to the U.S this year could not deter this “squash lover” fromreturning to represent her country. Her fighting spirit makes her avaluable asset to the Ladies team. Jenny finished 4th in this year’sSunbeach Barbados Open.
KAREN MEAKINS – This is Karen’s first CASA Championships. She is theSouthern Caribbean Ladies Champion and will be looking to add the CASA Championshipto her list of titles. Karen remains undefeated in all local tournamentsand already has three National titles on her trophy shelf. Her tight gamecombined with volleying and shot making ability make Karen a difficultopponent to beat. Karen was also the coach for the Ladies Team leading upto this event.
LILIANNA WHITE – Lilianna’s squash has improved leaps and bounds thisyear and she has moved to a higher level of squash . She finished 4th inthis year’s National Championships and 5th in the Sunbeach Barbados Open.Her hard work has definitely paid off and Lilianna will be looking toimprove her CASA ranking this year.
TRACY ROETT – Tracy first played for the senior team in 2001 in Bahamas.Her squash has matured considerably over the last year due to hercommitment to the game. Tracy finished 5th in this year’s National Championships, and6th in the Sunbeach B’dos Open. She chases everything down on the court and always gives 100%. She will be looking to do well this year.
ELIZABETH JOHNSON (Ladies Veteran Over-40) – Elizabeth has been on thesquash scene for many years. She has worked hard to maintain her level ofplay and always enjoys herself on court. A veteran in age, but young atheart, Elizabeth always gives her best. She is a loved and respected memberof the ladies team.
ORSON SIMPSON (Manager) – Orson Simpson is a seasoned squash team managerand led the team to overall victory in Bahamas in 2001. Orson is workingtowards keeping the trophy at home in Barbados.
RICHARD WALCOTT (Coach) – Richard has mainly focused his energies on thedevelopment of junior squash but stepped up to assist the men’s team whenthe emigration of former coach Rudy Goodridge left the Men’s team coachingposition vacant. Richard was also the Coach for the Senior team at the CACGames in El Salvador in 2002.
