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Kate Works at The National Squash Championships Again

physiofitae
Mar 21, 2017
4 min read

Graeme Heward (MCSP) has had the contract and has covered the National Squash Championships for many years; he asked me to get involved 4 years ago after I had worked at the London Olympics so I was really pleased to be invited back again for my 4th consecutive year.

The competition was based at the national squash centre in Manchester and ran from 7-12th February 2017. There was physio cover for the last 5 days of which I did 4. England Squash looked after the English professional players; we looked after the rests of the nations professional players plus all the Masters which are in age categories going up in 5 year groups from over 35 upwards. For the first time there was a group of 4 men battling it out in an over 80s category. That meant 350+ players for 1 physio....a big ask but typical of sports medicine cover for a minority sport even at an elite level.

We were on duty from 1 hour before until 1 hour after match play was completed. There was a booking system for a full consultation, screening and treatment running from 1000-2100 hours each day in half hour blocks. We responded to any injuries on court, worked with many players pre and post match to loosen them off and did an awful lot of strapping to prevent or support injuries. The service is free for players in the competition but they are charged once they have been knocked out.

Day 1 was generally quite pleasant; a steady stream of players some carrying injuries into the competition, some coming for annual advice and screening as they have no input unless they seek treatment privately. Not all the Masters categories started until the next day.

Day 2 (Phew, I had the day off) another steady stream of players but a longer day. Matches were behind schedule and didn't finish until 2300 hours so late home for Graeme.

Day 3 was a crazy day. A lot of the Masters were starting to fall to pieces as they are not used to back to back matches. Some of the age groups had 2 matches in 1 day which didn't do much for the injury rate; buckets of ice, copious rolls of tape and a cool head under pressure was required. I was exhausted but managed to leave at 2200 hours.

Day 4 Semi Finals. A busy morning taping and pre match stretching and releasing very tight muscles and lower backs which were gradually seizing with over use. A quieter period for me to watch some squash for a few minutes before a steady flurry of winners to treat in preparation for the finals.

Day 5 Finals Day! Crazy morning with lots of the finalists requiring help. 1 finalist in tears as he had to concede due to food poisoning during the night. A few champagne moments which I always find very emotional with players winning who I saw once even twice a day throughout the competition who would have had to concede if it wasn't for the physio input. Only 1 post match treatment as all finalists were sprucing up for their moment of glory in the awards ceremony after well deserved England caps had been awarded. Time for me to watch the men and women's finals then home for a big glass of wine and early to bed with a lot of towels and plinth covers to launder the next day before a "normal" day at work.

Longest Day: 10am - midnight

Amount of Tape used: 22.5 m K-tape

Worst Injury: Nothing too bad this year; fractured hip socket 2 years ago.

Commonest Injury: Strained hamstring, gluteal, adductor and calf muscles

Personal Thoughts:

Why is squash a Commonwealth sport and not an Olympic sport? We need to keep campaigning to get squash recognised as an Olympic sport to continue to raise its profile and funding.

It was lovely to catch up with some of the Masters players again who I have seen regularly in the same competition for the last few years.

It was fantastic to see a good friend regain his "England Cap" now at the age of 75. He got 2 of my boys into squash and tortured the ladies team I played in at Bollington with fitness for squash sessions. Unfortunately he lost in the final but it took the current World Champion to beat him.

Thank goodness for slow cookers and a great husband to allow me do these mad hours I sometimes do.

Enjoyable, hard work but glad it's over. I hope I'm invited back again!!

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