Impressions of the Toronto Granite Club Open by Sam Cornett March 8, 2014
The WSA Granite Open just finished here in Toronto.
All of the WSA women had a great time, and all of the members really enjoyed the week of squash.
Especially of note are the relationships between the players and the kids of their billets.
Billets are the kind
squash enthusiasts who host players during tournaments, giving the
player company, a bed, sometimes transportation, and often food.
It's a throwback for
me to when we had Sarah Kippax and Alison Waters stay at my family's
place when I was 13 and they were starting on tour at 17/18.
These girls were so
kind while they visited and so good at squash. Myself and my
family then got to track their progress as they continued playing and
saw really great success. When I first saw the two of them at a
WSA tournament that I was playing I was SO nervous. But again,
they were so gracious.
And they still
are. Sarah was at the Granite last year, and came back again, and
her billets asked to host her again. Their kid, Cory, was so
pumped about the tournament in 2013 that he told Sarah he was going to
save his money and sponsor the 2014 event. Somehow, he did!
No small feat for a 12 year old boy.
And he isn't the only KID to have sponsored the event! I think that's totally amazing.
This is a shoutout to Alison and Sarah for inspiring so many people. Including me!
Every time one of the
players stays with a billet, they have the opportunity to encourage
sport, healthy lifestyles, and dreams.
