The leaves are beginning to turn, signaling the return of squash season (among other things). Clinics at various locales have begun and the junior tournament season swings into full action in October. October also marks the beginning of many activities which have helped to build the MSRA Junior Program to its current prominent standing in the USSRA junior ranks. Some of the details are below, but be sure to check the Juniors link on the MSRA web site (www.ma-squash.org) for activities, updates and results. Entry forms for MSRA junior tournaments will be on the USSRA web site (www.us-squash.org).

U.S. Open and the New England Junior Open

The world’s top professional men are coming to Boston in early November. An important part of the U.S. Open festivities is the second year of the New England Junior Open to be held at Harvard’s Murr Center where many of the professional matches will be played. The junior participants will have the chance to watch Men’s matches on adjacent courts at the Murr while competing in their own age division events. There will be qualifying matches on Friday and Saturday with 1^st round matches on Sunday before the Open moves to its new venue @ the Back Bay Events Center for the balance of the tournament.  In addition, MSRA juniors will be treated to a Junior Jam, an 80 person clinic on Friday with the pros.

Tournaments

This year’s schedule is posted on the USSRA web site. MSRA sanctioned and other national or regional tournaments are scheduled on virtually every week-end from late September to early April. Included are three Grand Prix events from which players will be chosen for Improvement and Sportsmanship awards from Black Knight. The sanctioned events count towards national rankings where MSRA juniors have been well represented. In addition to the New England Open, the MSRA Junior Committee this season will run three major tournaments: the Massachusetts Junior Open in January, the Frank Millet Championships (a USSRA selection event) and the Massachusetts State Championships in early March.

Rankings

MSRA rankings for the past five seasons are posted on the web site. The 2005-06 rankings are derived from the national rankings where four sanctioned events plus passage of the referees test are required. More information on rankings is available on the USSRA web site (www.us-squash.org). Virtually everyone who meets the requirements has a chance to be ranked, hence a national/MSRA ranking is always within reach. All tournament players are reminded that they must have passed the USSRA’s Level D Club Referee examination to be eligible.

Junior League

The Junior League will be held at the Murr Center again this year. This Sunday afternoon program from 2 to 5 PM has been so successful that six dates are scheduled for this new season. Scheduled dates are 10/22, 11/5, 12/10, 1/28, 2/11 and 4/1.  The “league” is probably a misnomer since players are grouped into five “pods” based on ability and a round robin is then played with the 8-10 players in each pod. This format is intended to provide competition for players who aren’t necessarily tournament-oriented along with some instruction and commentary. All juniors are welcome and will be placed on teams by Azi Djazani, the League Co-ordinator.

Exhibitions and Clinics

Throughout the season the MSRA Junior Committee schedules exhibitions, usually when a world class professional is in town. These exhibitions usually include a clinic with attendees.  Referee and coaching clinics are also scheduled during the season.

Web Site

The Juniors' link on the MSRA web site will be the latest source of information on junior activities. The site will also feature pictures and results from events as well as articles. The MSRA Junior Committee can be contacted at juniors@ma-squash.org for further information.

Newsletter

The Junior Committee will publish articles, results, pictures, etc. to some extent in the MSRA newsletter but will not have a separate newsletter. The web site is a more efficient and time saving method of communication.

We look forward to an exciting and rewarding season for junior squash this year and welcome all suggestions and comments.

MSRA Junior Committee

           Sharon Bradey

           Mike Loucks

Libby McClintock

Gary Rubin

Azi Djazani

Chris Spahr

Jim Sullivan

Lenny Bernheimer

Chris Smith

Bill Nimmo

Tom Poor, Chair