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05-Jun-06:
Grinhams
opt out of Australian Team |
Australia
will defend their Women's World Team Title in Edmonton this
September without their top two players, Rachael and Natalie
Grinham.
The sisters, ranked three and four in the world, were intrumental in
Australia's World Team victories in 2002 and 2004 and won six medals for
Australia at the Commonwealth Games in March, but have declined to
make themselves available for the World Team Championship because of
dissatisfaction with Squash Australia's selection procedures.
Speaking exclusively to SquashSite,
the sisters explain: |
 |
 03-Jun-06:
Young Guns Ready to Fire
Australia’s next generation of female squash stars will have
their chance to grab the spotlight when the World Women's
Team's Championships are held in Edmonton, Canada in late
September.
 Players such as Kasey Brown (NSW)(AIS), Lisa
Camilleri (QLD), Dianne Desira (VIC), Peta
Hughes (QLD)(AIS), Melissa Martin (SA), Amelia
Pittock (VIC), Rachel Smith (SA)(AIS), and Donna
Urquhart (NSW)(AIS) will all be vying to represent
Australia at the prestigious biennial World event.
Australian
squash great Michelle Martin will be the Manager/Coach
for the event and will be hoping to lead her young charges to
further success in the championships.
Australia has taken the title eight times since it was first
held in 1981, including the last two, more than any other
country.
 The younger brigade, who have all been firing on the recent
Australian domestic scene, have got their chance because
Australia’s highest ranked players, Natalie and Rachael
Grinham, have opted to sit out this year’s tournament.
After many years service on Australian national teams, the
Grinhams have decided to concentrate on their individual
careers and have advised Squash Australia they are not
available for Australian selection.
Melissa Martin has bounced back from her disappointment of not
making the 2006 Commonwealth Games team and she will keenly
contest for a place in the Australian team for Canada.
The
team will be chosen following the Australian Open in late
June.
Squash Australia Media Liaison Officer |
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I
have decided not to play for Australia in this year's WWTC for
reasons that I can't really explain without possibly getting myself
into trouble. 
I
believe that Melissa deserved her position in the team but was
shafted by the wording of the criteria (which wasn't really clear).
So, I have decided to not play for Australia as I don't agree with
their selection criteria. 
