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New Life in New York
update #1 from Fiona Geaves, eight months
after moving to New York ... |
11
May 2006
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Well, what a massive change of
lifestyle for me in so many ways.
My first couple of weeks were very easy going, just getting to know
all the kids which believe me was difficult with about 180 of them,
and I am pleased to say I now know all their names.
Then more and more people came to me to book up lessons and before I
knew it I was one busy girl, and boy did I look forward to going to
bed at night, that first month I was exhausted. |
see below for part one
Casino Heights Club
Still going strong - Fiona in
the Vassar Class of 32
Gotcha!
PS:
WELL DONE ENGLAND IN THE EUROPEANS !!!
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Coaching ... and
more Coaching!
The great thing about coaching here is when someone books in a
lesson with you, that day and time is set for the whole season, yes
they want you for that long. This is great as you have a complete
plan of every week so there is not much ringing around trying to
find lessons.
Saying that, we are now entering a quieter period as there are no
more tournaments for the kids to play and a lot of them are playing
different sports such as the famous ''Baseball''.
We do travel with them to some events on weekends and although that
is very tiring coaching squash from 8am to sometimes 8pm it is
extremely rewarding helping them through matches, yes of course
there are tantrums but lots of success too, and the smiles on the
faces after a win is wonderful.
I have to say, and I hope they don't read this article, they have
brought a few tears to my eyes with their achievements. The way they
hunt you down to make sure you are there to coach them is so sweet,
but sometimes difficult when you are trying to coach five all at the
same time. |
Still on Tour
With such a busy schedule my training has gone straight out of the
window. I do miss going in the gym but I DON'T MISS the pressure
sessions and ghosting! To be honest I have been so surprised at how
well I have performed in the few WISPA events I have played since
taking the job.
My fitness is not as it was but with all the feeding my rackets
skills have probably sharpened up, my trusty backhand drop hasn't
deserted me to the dismay not doubt of the girls! I hope it stays
with me forever :) |
Brooklyn Tricks
I have made some wonderful friends and all the members and kids have
welcomed me in with open arms. The weather is warming up here now so
I am preparing for my first summer here. I survived the winter, not
as cold as it could have been but some great snow storms to have fun
in.
I live on a lovely quiet street, except for Halloween, people come
from all over Brooklyn to see it, it is transformed into some
fairytale street with all the decorations and trick-or-treaters
dressed up so meticulously.
I returned to my apartment that night to find someone had climbed my
fire escape and decorated my windows with balloons, silly string,
shaving cream and stickers with a large note saying, ''Gotcha, Nicol
- Keegan - Haley'' and yes readers the Nicol was the one and only
''Nicol David''. Not only is this young lady a great squash player,
she is a very good climber!
I am busy plotting my revenge on her return to our WISPA event later
on this year, The Carol Weymuller. |
Summer coming up ...
I am doing a camp with Natalie Grainger this July called ''T
Position'' then home for the summer to catch up with all my family
and friends who I miss a great deal, as well as the Football and
Rugby, I do get to go down the local bar to watch but with the time
difference I can't watch as much footie as I would like.
 I
did have the wonderful joy of being home for Easter watching
'Liverpool' beat Chelsea in the FA Cup semi final, so I have already
planned my day off here to watch the final. Then back here towards
the end of August to prepare for the new season in September.
That's my new life!
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New Start for Fiona
After a long and impressive career on
the WISPA tour, Fiona Geaves is off to start a new life in
the USA ... have fun, Fiona, from all at SquashSite ... |
31
August 2005
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A New Club ...
 In
June of this year I had a long phone call with Julian Wellings,
the Head Coach at the Casino Heights Club in Brooklyn, New
York.
He told me how the club were looking for another full time coach to
replace Meredith Quick who wanted to go part time. I have been
interested this last year in going to coach in the States and had
already enquired into some jobs, but Julian ''sold'' this job to me
VERY well, what a smooth talker!
So after a week's holiday in Spain thinking about it, I decided to
accept the position.
It's a super club, I have been playing the Carol Weymuller WISPA
tournament there since 1993 when they had the first softball event,
as in the past they were still playing hard ball, and guess who won
that, Me!
So what a perfect place to start a job. I know a lot of the members,
the area too, and already have a wonderful family to stay with
whilst I find myself an apartment. The club has over 200 children
with a great set up for coaching by Julian, so I will have my hands
full.
Still Playing ...
The good news about the Club, is that I can still play WISPA events
all over America. I have to admit I am not quite ready for complete
retirement from the tour, so this is a nice way to carry on but on a
lower key.
It will be sad not to play the big events, especially the British
Open, including defending my Over 35 title, as well as the Nationals
and World Open.
 I
know when I watch those results come in on ''The Squash Site'' it
will hurt, but it is time for a change, as a lot of readers are well
aware I am not that young anymore! I still love travelling, I always
will, but financially things were becoming too difficult, so this
job offers me the best of both worlds, a salary and the chance to
finish off my playing career in a new country.
I have had a wonderful career and travelled to some amazing
countries, as well as meeting many fantastic people, I wouldn't
change it for a thing.
My only disappointment last year was as an England Team member we
couldn't pip those Aussies in the World Team Championships, to take
that title has always been on of my dreams.
Having in the team Linda Elriani and Cassie Thomas, two very special
friends, who have also made my last few years on the circuit so much
fun would have been the icing on the cake, but sadly it was not to
be, but all the girls put in a very very gutsy performance,
especially in the quarters where we nearly went out to Holland.
Highlights ...
But of course there have been many highlights for me so I will
mention just a few:
- Winning the National
Championships in 1995
- Making the British Open semi
finals twice. The World Open semi finals twice.
- World Open mixed doubles Gold
with Chris Walker.
- Commonwealth Games Mixed and
Ladies Doubles Bronze with Chris Walker and Linda Elriani.
- Numerous European team
Championships with England.
- Carrying the Baton in Gloucester
for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
- Winning the Monte Carlo Open and
being presented with the trophy by ''Prince Albert'' of Monaco.
Time for Goodbyes ...
I would also like to thank all the squash girlies who came to my
farewell barbi/party last Saturday, I had a wonderful time and of
course lots to drink, and Linda made me a photo album too which was
awesome. Although I didn't like the look of my garden the next day!
My new adventure starts next Monday, so I guess it's time to go and
pack!
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 It
is a really canny move of Julian Wellings to bring Fiona Geaves into
the Heights Casino fold. She will undoubtedly have a really positive
impact on the membership there with her great personality and
already proven coaching ability.
Of course so many of the Brooklyn club members know her from her
annual forays at the Carol Weymuller Open too. They have watched a
truly top flight player with a wonderful short game and great
durability; and now she will be part of their squash community.
Although Fiona may have her very best years behind her (much like
her beloved Liverpool soccer team!) she has been a great asset to
the WISPA Tour and it is very pleasing to know that she will
continue to enmesh opponents in her web of clever play for a while
yet in some of our US events.
Andrew Shelley |
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Fiona Geaves |
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