News from the Club ...

Foodbank - Christmas Appeal

Our local Foodbank, part of The Trussell Trust initiative, is based at Felin Puleston and does an excellent job all year round of supporting people across the County Borough who are in need of their services.

Their 2021 Christmas Appeal runs from November 10th until November 30th.

If members would like to support this good local cause, donations may be made via Gareth LLoyd, the Sports Complex Manager, in the main building (Bar area). The Foodbank Appeal poster (shown right or click below) requests donations only from the items identified in their Top Ten list - thank you.

2021 Welsh Closed Champions

Congratulations to our new Karakal 2021 Welsh Closed Champions, Tesni Evans and Joel Makin.

The Championships took place in Cardiff over the weekend 5-7 November - in the Finals, Tesni beat Emily Whitlock and Joel beat Elliot Morris Devred.

2021 Club Championships

We are pleased to announce that the 2021 Club Championships will take place this year, with the Finals weekend scheduled for Friday and Saturday, 3/4 December.

This is the premier event of the Squash Club year and the Competition Draw and Schedule are now available to view below, also at the Squash Club.

Work hard, Play hard ...

Many of us understand the benefits of playing squash and we've been pleased to hear from three student members who have gone off to University for the first time this year.

David Thomas, Henry Scarsbrook and Cameron Dennis have all settled into their Fresher Year and discovered the importance of sport in helping them to work hard and play hard while meeting new people in a College environment.

All three have signed up to play for their College Squash Teams and we look forward to seeing how they've developed their games further, when they return home for Christmas.

Aspiration "smashed" but is still alive!

We're still hoping to achieve our Third Court but that aspiration was partly smashed during a visit to Bethesda to collect a Glass Squash Wall that had become surplus to requirement .

We were offered the glass wall by Bethesda Leisure Centre as they were changing their courts into a fitness studio.

On 7 October, with help from Centre' staff, Mark Davies and Jim Tunley were loading the third (very heavy) piece onto a van (very kindly loaned by John Williams), when the slightest knock completely shattered it - a real shame but lessons were learned on that visit!

Squash Wales new membership scheme

During September, the new Squash Wales Membership platform was launched.

The new membership offers all players discounted benefits from over 200 High Street brands; it is essential for all members playing in any of our Teams.
Check it out using the following link.

Internal Leagues from October !

Members were asked to express their interest in joining our new Monthly Internal Leagues, to commence during October.

Following a positive response, for the first time since March 2020, the new Leagues went live on 5 October.

If any other members would like to join in the November Leagues, please speak to Jim or Mark.

New season started on 23 September

The 2021-22 Season started in the North West Counties Squash Leagues on 23 September; we have three Teams representing the Club this season - to view all of our fixtures, go to the Teams Page.

The situation regarding our North Wales Leagues, with only a few teams entered and venues remaining closed, has still to be agreed.

2021 British Open Championships

New Zealand's Paul Coll and Egypt's Nour El Sherbini are the 2021 Allam British Open champions after they got the better of Egypt's Ali Farag and Nouran Gohar in their respective final fixtures at Hull's Allam Sport Centre on 22 August.

Two at Racketball National Championships

Over the weekend 20-22 August, Darren Lee and Jonathan Davies were at the Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham to take part in the 2021 HEAD Racketball/Squash57 National Championships.

Both members of our Club Committee, these two were taking part in the Mens Over 45 category - no doubt they had a great weekend!

UPDATE: Well done to both players in taking on this challenge and, in particular, to JD in making it through to the Semi Final stages

We've been waiting for this ...

On 6 August, the Welsh Government announced that all Wales would move to Alert Level 0 from Saturday, 7 August

This news means that the Squash Club will now be open for normal play, without any modification.

Some protocols will however need to be continued, including the wearing of face masks when visiting the Club, that is unless you're on court playing.

British National Championships

The 2021 British National Championships took place in Manchester (3-6 August) with the following winning through.

The new Ladies Champion is Sarah-Jane Perry and the new Men's Champion is Joel Makin.

Hannah & Tom at Nationals

Best of luck to Hannah Davies and Tom Clark as they head off to Leamington on 7 August to take part in the National Challenger UK Racketball / Squash 57 event.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Hannah on finishing Runner-up in her event; Tom lost his A Grade pool matches against the UK seeded number 1 and 6, but he enjoyed the experience !

Our 2021-22 Subscription Rates

The recent AGM agreed the Club's Subscription Rates for the next twelve months.

The three tiered rates have been introduced to bring some fairness to those who had paid memberships over the last two subscription years.

Lower Rate: Senior - £45; Family - £55; Juniors / Students - £20.
Higher Rate: Senior - £80; Family - £100; Juniors / Students - £30.
New Member Rate: Senior - £90; Family - £110; Juniors / Students - £40.

NOTE: Again this year we are able to offer members the convenience of payment by Bank Transfer:-

Account No: 90674111
Sort Code: 55-81-42
Reference: NAME OF MEMBER (this is most important).

Club's 2021 Annual General Meeting

We held the Squash Club's AGM on Thursday, 27 May 2021.

Members discussed a number of matters including the easing of COVID-19 restrictions within the Club, as well as setting the subscription rates for 2021-22.

A direct action following the AGM was to re-open the changing room and shower areas of the Club from 29 May.

All members were sent a direct message advising them of this move, together with an emphasis on the need for additional safety protocols, to ensure compliance with Welsh Government guidance.

Light Cards now available at the Bar

From 17 May, the Welsh Government eased restrictions affecting indoor hospitality.

The Sports Complex Bar is now open again and, as such they will re-commence the sale of light cards during their normal opening hours. .

Members can view the latest opening hours via the graphic (right).

North Wales Regional Development Officer

On 11 May, Mark and Jim met with Phil Barker, the newly appointed Squash Wales Regional Development Officer.

Based in Caernarvon, Phil's role will be to assist Clubs with the development and growth of the game across the North Wales region, through involvement with the various local authority "Active Teams" and schools.

Open again for Play

The Squash Club opened again for Play on 3 May.

For the safety of all members and, to ensure the Club is compliant to reopen, we have a number of protocols in place; members are asked to adhere to these when visiting the Squash Club.

We welcome everyone back and hope that the temporary restrictions in place will be lifted very soon.

Return to Play - guidance & protocols issued

On 22 April, Squash Wales confirmed latest Welsh Government guidelines by issuing Protocol and Guidance for the Return to Play and the re-opening of Squash Clubs/Courts from 3 May.

The document is avialable for you to read via the link below.

It will be important for all members to be familiar with what is required to ensure the Squash Club is compliant; it cannot be a return to "normal" on 3 May - we have to wait for formal confirmation that it is safe to do so.

We want to welcome everyone back to play as safely as possible [a failure to follow protocols could actually result in the temporary closure of the Club].

Easing restrictions brought foward

In a surprise move, the Welsh Government announced that gyms and leisure centres will be allowed to open one week earlier than originally planned.

This means that the Squash Club will re-open from 3 May but still with strict protocols necessary. For the Club to be compliant, only Individual and one-to-one training will be allowed, or matches between from members of a same family bubble - all other ways to play have to remain banned.

A direct communication will be issued to all members when we have received confirmation of the details from Squash Wales.

Improvement at the Club

Our latest commitment to maintaining the Club facility has been to replace the balcony window.

The new window replaces one that had become fairly rotten; it leaked damp and draught.

Top professionals train at the Club

Throughout the lockdown period, we have been pleased to support professional players training at the Squash Club.

A regular has been World Ranked No 10 Tesni Evans and, on 14 April, Tez invited professional players Tinne Gilis (WR No 17) and Lucy Beecroft (WR No 341) to join in with a rather strenuous training session.

Restrictions in Wales eased in time for Easter

The Welsh Government announced some upcoming changes to restrictions, affecting those who live within the Principality:

From 27 March -
Stay local restrictions will be lifted (within Wales).
Self-contained accommodation can re-open.
Outdoor children's activities can take place.
Libraries and archive services can re-open, and
6 people from 2 households can meet outdoors, socially distanced.

Linked to the Coronavirus Control Plan (see below), the First Minister advises we are at the riskiest phase in the run-up to the Easter period when the process of unlocking begins, whilst we are still vaccinating some of the most vulnerable groups.

The Welsh Government's Plan

On 21 March, the Welsh Government issued its Coronavirus Control Plan: Revised Alert Levels in Wales (March 2021).

Click on the link below to view the document, in which you will see their intention to review and, possibly, de-restrict indoor sports on 21 April.

21 MARCH

This day in 2020, the Squash Club was closed for the first time due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The restrictions continue ...

The fourth review of the Welsh Government's Alert Level 4 restrictions took place on 12 March.

Despite some improvement in COVID numbers, the fate of indoor sports remains firmly closed, certainly until beyond Easter.

For more information see the "Coronavirus Update - news from the Club", right.

Mens' shower and toilet areas get new floor covering

At last we can report progress towards renewing the floor covering in the Men's Shower and Toilet Area of the Squash Club.

The situation following a break-in last year, together with Covid-19 restrictions, had meant that the toilet and shower areas were not useable. Work has now started, however, to upgrade these essential areas and we look forward to when we can get back to fully utilising the Club once again.

A massive boost for the town ...

Congratulations to Wrexham AFC on confirmation (on 9 February) that the RR McReynolds Company LLC had taken 100% control of the Wrexham Football Club.

With much national and international publicity, the new owners, Hollywood A-listers Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, have made a £2 million equity investment into the Club under the terms of the deal.

At such a time, this news provides a huge boost beyond the Football Club to the local community; it's about what the future may hold for Wrexham and, already as a consequence, work has started on a new womens football initiative.

We do not know whether Rob or Ryan like to play any squash, they will however be very welcome anytime at the Wrexham Brymbo Squash Club !

The lockdown [STILL] continues ...

On 29 January we received a second review of the current Alert Level 4 lockdown, when the First Minister confirmed that, in light of the on-going COVID situation, the national lockdown would continue for at least a further three weeks; that is until the next review, due on 19 February.

Importantly, that means the guidance issued on 19 December still applies.

BREAKING NEWS:
UPDATE - 19 February
Today the First Minister confirms the strict Alert Level 4 restrictions are set to continue for a further three weeks, pending a fourth review scheduled for 12 March

Coping with a winter lockdown

Don't struggle alone, there are strategies to help us cope with our mental health during Lockdown.
Click on the picture (right) for some details that may be of help.

New Year, new lockdown

As we start 2021, we received the grim news that all four home nations will be in lockdown from 5 January.

We understand that the situation in Wales is due to be reviewed towards the end of January; the reality, however, is that all indoor sports are unlikley to be allowed to return before February, at the earliest.

We send best wishes to all members and guests of the Squash Club, with a plea to keep active and stay healthy.
Let's get through this.

Keep active, stay connected during lockdown

To help members through Christmas and into the New Year lockdown period, Hannah Davies will again deliver her 40 minute Squash Circuits at Home, via zoom.

Sessions are designed specifically to replicate on-court squash movement and are appropriate for all levels of ability. The first session started on Tuesday, 22 December (at 6.00 pm), and they were set to continue over the following two Tuesdays ...

BREAKING NEWS:
Due to popular demand, the members who've been taking part have requested that sessions continue during the lockdown period - so, look out for details each week and feel free to join using the information that will be circulated nearer the time.
Our thanks to Hannah for helping members to keep active and stay connected !

BREAKING NEWS - 16 DECEMBER
LOCKDOWN ANNOUNCED

Today Mark Drakeford, Wales First Minister, announced new tougher Coronavirus Christmas rules, on the day when 11,000 new positive cases were recorded.

Starting on Christmas Eve, the new restrictions will mean:

* All non-essential shops cannot reopen after that time, meaning there will be no Boxing Day sales;
* Gyms, Leisure centres, hairdressers and other close-contact services must also shut at the end of the working day on December 24;
* Christmas bubbles should now only include two families;
* Full lockdown will start in Wales on December 28;
* The new restrictions apply to the whole of Wales and will be reviewed after three weeks.

From Christmas Eve, this does include the Squash Club, which will be closed for all play until further notice.

BREAKING NEWS - the First Minister announces the new restrictions are to be brought forward and will now be implemented from midnight on 19 December.

Squash Wales visit to Club

We had a visit by officers from our National Governing Body, Squash Wales, on 7 December, partly to introduce Sioned Williams, the newly appointed North Wales Regional Development Officer, together with a discussion on a range of matters to do with strengthening the partnership and looking to how we may increase participation when the current restrictions are eased.

Sioned was accompanied by Roy Gingell, SW Operations Manager and Dave Evans, SW Performance Director.

December restrictions announced, but the Club remains open

On 1 December, new restrictions were announced by the Welsh Government for the period until 17 December (when there will be a review); essentially these are designed to strengthen regulations in response to an increase in coronavirus cases in Wales.

The greatest impact will apply to the hospitality businesses. From Friday, 4 December, all pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will have to close by 6 p.m. and will not be allowed to serve alcohol in the premises; this will include the Brymbo Sports Club.

A positive, however, is that gyms, non-essential retail and close-contact services will remain open; this acknowledging the positive impact on mental health and well-being by allowing people to exercise. This means that the Squash Club remains open but members are reminded that Welsh Government restrictions continue to apply, with all of the Club's COVID-19 protocols remaining in place.

Club is open again !

The Welsh Government confirmed that, the Firebreak Lockdown would end on Monday, 9 November and, as a result, the Squash Club re-opens again for play.

This is good news for us in getting back onto court, however, please note that Welsh Government restrictions continue to apply, with all of the Club's COVID-19 protocols remaining in place.

Lockdown maintenance at the Club

During the period of the pandemic and the two lockdowns, we've been undertaking some work to help keep the Club in shape. We've had both courts refurbished and the changing rooms too.

Members will know that the courts were tidied up, by Courtcare Ltd, during the early stages of the first lockdown and we have now taken the opportunity to refresh both the Ladies and Men's Changing Rooms.

While both the changing areas and showers remain out of use, due to the Coronavirus restrictions, they are ready now for when these are eased.

Equity Policy

The Wrexham Brymbo Squash Club Committee is keen to ensure all matters within the Club are treated with respect and fairness and, as such, have now formally acknowledged and adopted the Wales Squash & Racketball Model Equity Policy.

To view the Equity Policy, click on the link -

Equity Policy

Calling all potential coaches . . .

Do you have what it takes to become a qualified squash coach - if so, your Club needs you!

If any Club member has an interest in committing to become a qualified coach, the Squash Club may be able to assist with necessary fees and mentoring.
Please contact either Mark Davies or Jim Tunley to chat it through.

and finally ... all Members to note

To all members - at anytime, if you are the last to leave the Club, please ensure that the showers and all of the lights, heaters and court fans are turned off.

Please be vigilant in this and report any problems that may arise - thank you.