At an intense one-day tournament at Thornleigh Squash in Sydney's north, 28 athletes from Army, Navy and Air Force competed for individual and service honours in the 2024 NSW Interservice Squash Tournament on July 5.
All were in the same draw, giving some of the social players exposure and court time with more advanced players.
As rounds progressed, competitors knocked out of the main draw moved down into different brackets. Each player competed to finish in the highest place possible to contribute to their team score.
ADF's top squash player, Corporal Aaron Fyfe, wasn't able to make the event, leaving the draw open.
Able Seaman Troy Davey made the most of the opportunity, working his way to the semi-final with the remaining top three seeds. He pushed third seed and defending champion Petty Officer David Bolger to five games, but wasn't able to gate-crash the final.
Petty Officer Bolger said Able Seaman Davey was a surprise opponent.
"He played a great game and I was lucky to get through the semi-final," Petty Officer Bolger said.
The other semi-final was a titanic battle between Sub-Lieutenant Nathan Laver and Flying Officer Haani Qureshi, both experienced and skilled players.
Sub-Lieutenant Laver was able to build a two-games-to-one lead, but Flying Officer Qureshi pushed back to force a deciding game. Sub-Lieutenant Laver staved off the challenge to book his place in the final.
Petty Officer Bolger and Sub-Lieutenant Laver left everything on the court in the final, and at the end of the fourth game, the toll of a long day of squash resulted in Sub-Lieutenant Laver cramping. Petty Officer Bolger was able to close out the match and take the title for Navy, three games to one.
"On paper, Sub-Lieutenant Laver would normally have me covered, but he was just coming off some leave and had a much more physical semi-final than I did. I knew he wasn't at his best so I thought I might be a chance," Petty Officer Bolger said.
In the women's final, Corporal Jennifer Welby held off the challenge from Corporal Teagan Slekenics to capture the women's title in straight games with an emphatic performance.
The Plate final featured ADF Squash president Major Jacob Lee and ADF Squash treasurer Major Ian Brooks, with Major Brooks clinching the final in straight games.
All players' final standings contributed to their individual service score, leading Air Force and Army to tie for second and Navy coming through as the inter-service champion.
Major Lee said the quality of play this year was exceptional.
"It showcased not only the high level of technical skills our squash players have across the services, but also the extreme demands on physical and mental endurance required to play at this level of competition," Major Lee said.
ADF Squash holds state interservice squash tournaments each year, culminating in the week-long ADF Squash National Championships, which will be held this year from September 14-20.
