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Metro Squash with SUE
11/12 October 2007, Field
Museum, Chicago
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Day Two:
The Big Dog
gets the Big Bone ...
David Barry reports from Chicago
The second day of the MetroSquash with Sue fundraiser culminated in
an exhibition match between Amr Shabana (World #1) and
John White (World #8).
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crowd of 500 at the Gala Dinner were treated to a plethora of power
and trick shots as the two consummate professionals put on a
dazzling display of world class squash.
In some rallies, the back wall was used almost as much as the front,
and deep powerful drives were interspersed with multi-wall boasts
that came close to travelling around the entire perimeter of the
court.
For squash fans, and for those unfamiliar with the game, the match
had plenty to offer, both in the way of entertainment, and as an
example of two great athletes competing.
White emerged as a three games to one winner and was presented with
the MetroSquash Cup (bone china!) by John Nimick.
Amr was happy just to have been a part of the event. "I'm here for
the kids and MetroSquash. I've always been good working with kids.
When they are keen and involved like these are, it is just comes
naturally to work with them." |
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More fun with Sue
Earlier in the day, the court saw a variety of pro-am games and more
student participation.
The evening activities began with a cocktail reception on the Upper
Floor of the Field Museum, overlooking the Stanley Field Hall with
Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Elephants, the Totem Poles,
and, shining in its translucent brilliance, the McWil glass court.
Natalie Grainger did a coaching session for some of the
MetroSquash students, and then it was time for the dinner itself.
And what a spectacular setting for the generous supporters of the
event to sit down in, with the soaring marble interior of the museum
reflecting for the first time the light of a squash court. |
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"I'm delighted with
the fantastic turnout and support that Chicago has given to this
event. "
"There is so much that MetroSquash can do for the children in this
city, and this fundraiser has introduced it to so many more people,
not just the 500 who came tonight, but to all those who have heard
about it through the media, print, TV and the internet, many of whom
will never have heard of squash before.
"That we have managed to reach this point in only two years is a
testimony to the hard work of all the volunteers and staff, and to
the fundamental need for programs such as MetroSquash in our
communities today."
Board Chair for MetroSquash
Jackie can now get back to working
on her next project, her wedding to Sean Ballard in two weeks' time
>>>>>>>>>
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Day One with Sue
David Barry reports from Chicago
The first day of the MetroSquash with Sue fundraiser in Chicago's
Field Museum was a huge success with both the participating
students, and the event's supporters.
With the glass court set up in the main hall in front of the Sue
the Tyrannosaurus Rex, some Chicago Public School Students, were
able to try out the game during the day. Then in the evening, some
of the MetroSquash students did the pre-match glass cleaning and
were then treated to a coaching session on the court.
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Metro Squash
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Grainger 4 All-Stars 0
The professional part of the evening began with Natalie Grainger
(World #5) taking on the Chicago All Stars.
Four top local male players had any illusions that they might have
had about the weakness of women players rudely dashed, as Natalie
rapidly took a game from each of them, conceding only 14 points
across all four games. |
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Two more dinosaurs ???
For the finale of the evening, Sue saw two players come on court
who, in an age of squash where the world's number two player has
just turned 20, might at 33 and 34 be considered by some to be
dinosaurs.
But Jonathan Power and Peter Nicol proved to the crowd
of over 300 that they still have what it takes to play superb squash
and to thrill the spectators with great racquet control,
staggeringly fast reactions and incredible retrieving.
 Both
players started slowly, but by the end of the first game, the
rallies were long and furious as Nicol clawed his way back, but
finally succumbed 11-9 to Power. The second game saw Power again
take a lead, but once again Nicol fought back. Both players were
clearing well and little intervention was needed from referee, John
Flanagan, until he very astutely (and much to the pleasure of the
crowd) called a let at match ball on a clear stroke!
Power went on to win the game 11-7 and win the best of three match.
"How was the match ?" Tough, but a lot of fun. It's great to see the
concept of squash for kids moving across the country and being taken
up with such a well run event as this."
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"MetroSquash is a wonderful idea, and I am happy to be here to
support it.
"This is such a visible fundraiser that it must raise the profile of
squash in Chicago.
"My congratulations to the organisers for undertaking such an
audacious first event, and for making such a wonderful job of it.
"It's really good to see so many players here supporting it."
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MetroSquash with Sue ... Preview |
What do
you get when you take some squash legends, a glass court, lots of
fanatical kids, and throw them all together into a museum housing a
huge dinosaur ...
The result is MetroSquash with Sue, a unique venture set up
by John Nimick and MetroSquash, Chicago's urban squash development
program.
With clinics during the day with Amr Shabana, John White
and Natalie Grainger, and Peter Nicol set to play
Jonathan Power tonight in the 'Legends Challenge', Sue and the
kids are in for a treat ...
21-page PDF |
Metro Squash
Event Programme |
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"This
is one of the most remarkable things to happen to Squash in America
for years. Just consider, 300 people here on opening night, the very
first time for a court to be set up in a world renowned museum. 
"The
turnout for the event has been amazing. 
