Trident Insurance has joined with the Barbados Squash Rackets Association (BSRA) to stage a significant squash event. The Trident Insurance Barbados Squash Open is scheduled for June 21-26 at the Barbados Squash Club in Hastings. Players from France, Canada, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Lucia and Trinidad will compete against Barbados’ top players for titles in the Ladies’ and Men’s Open Events.
President and CEO of Trident Insurance, Algie Leacock said Trident was delighted to be associated with the tournament as squash is becoming a very popular game. Mr. Leacock, who is also a member of the BSRA, added ?We are proud to sponsor the Trident Insurance Barbados Squash Open, recognized as the pinnacle of International and Regional squash in Barbados. This tournament is sure to showcase some of the most talented players on the island and in the region on a whole and I hope Trident Insurance?s sponsorship will help both the players and the sport to achieve increased recognition. Given the exciting and fast-paced nature of squash, I invite all Barbadians to come out and watch the Open.?
Leading the charge for Barbados will be the island’s top ranked players: Gavin Cumberbatch and Karen Meakins. Meakins, who recently claimed her fourth National title, is the defending champion from last year’s Barbados Open. In last year’s final she defeated Annette Pilling of the UK. This year she will face stiff opposition from Canada’s Ruchika Kumar and Jamaica’s Karen Anderson. Kumar has not played in the Caribbean region before but it is expected that she will be seeded in the top two for the tournament. Anderson is seeded No 4 in the Caribbean, just behind Meakins who is currently ranked No 3 in the region. Familiar names on the local squash circuit such as Sonia Perkins, Andrea Goodridge and Lilianna White are currently in training for the tournament. National players from several other countries in the region will also be attending and these include Kathy Shuffler, Kristian Jeffrey (Guyana); Gen Shim (Trinidad); and Alana Simmons (St Lucia).
In the Men’s Competition, Gavin Cumberbatch, a finalist in last year’s Open, has returned from Yale with another year of competitive squash under his belt. Gavin is currently the No 3 seed on the Yale squash team and has been named captain for the next season. In last year’s Open, Gavin upset Yves Tastet of France in the semifinals but lost to Shawn Badrinauth of Guyana in the Finals. This year Badrinauth will return to defend his title and two new faces, Johan Bouquet and Arthur Poupel, both hailing from France will be also vying for first place. Twenty year old Bouquet was the French Under 19 Champion in 2003. Both players are sponsored by Dunlop and are planning to turn professional in 2005. The continually improving Guyanese National player Robert Fernandes is also entered and will provide a challenge for many. Other top ranked local players including the recently crowned National Champion: Shawn Simpson as well as Andy Gill and Marlon White and top juniors, Bryant and Rhett Cumberbatch will seek glory for the Barbados contingent.
Affiliated with the tournament will be two introductory junior coaching sessions conducted by top coach Richard Walcott, together with national players Gavin Cumberbatch and Shawn Simpson. This coaching, also sponsored by Trident Insurance, will be of no cost to the young players. At least thirty young people will be invited from nearby schools to take advantage of this opportunity. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort by the BSRA to introduce new players to the game.
Tournament play will take place at the Barbados Squash Club with play beginning at 5:45 daily except on Saturday (June 26) when matches will be played throughout the day culminating with the Ladies / Men’s Finals at 5 pm. There is no admission charge for any of the days and spectators are welcome.
Trident 2004 Draw – file no. 1
