AN all-glass squash court similar to the ones used in some of the world’s biggest tournaments and most picturesque venues will be waiting for the players when Bathurst hosts the Australian Masters Championships.
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The fish bowl-type set-up will be installed in the atrium bar at the Panthers Leagues Club for the duration of the prestigious competition, which will run from September 1-12.
Squash fanatic David Fuller is the mastermind for the initiative.
The tournament is allocated to a different state each year and in 2014 it is NSW’s turn. Bathurst got the nod over bidders including Coffs Harbour and Dural on the outskirts of Sydney.
The big event will attract hundreds of competitors – and plenty of economic benefits – to Bathurst over its duration.
Mr Fuller said the $120,000 enclosed glass court will be the centrepiece of the tournament, allowing the ultimate in spectator viewing.
“It’s going to be great for Bathurst,” he said. “Expressions of interest to host the Masters were called about 18 months ago and I decided it was worth showing interest, based around the hope of being able to use a glass court here.
“Well, we won the bid and now it’s all systems go.
“This is a first for Bathurst and is such a rare opportunity, as it [the event] goes from state to state each year. If the event was being held in Sydney, you’d probably never even hear about it.
“Thanks to council and local businesses getting behind the event, it’s allowed us to hire the glass court from Squash ACT, who own it.
“There’s no doubt something as big as this will pump up the sport of squash in the region.
“It’s also been great that Bathurst Panthers have allowed us to use their venue. They will have a camera at the back of the court and televise the action on big screens throughout the club.”
Mr Fuller said the hire of the glass court alone was worth $10,000.
“It will be brought to Bathurst in a container on the back of a truck and assembled around its wooden floor at the venue,” he said.
“Larkin Brothers Transport are helping by transporting the court here and taking it back.
“Viridian Glass, in association with Bathurst Glass, are lending us some manpower to put the court together; and the cash to pay for the court’s hire is coming from Spencer Fuller and Associates.
“And Spray FX have come on board to help with the spraying of all the glass trophies.”
Mr Fuller said individual titles will be contested during the first week of the tournament, attracting about 300 players.
Week two will involve teams events and, with 20 divisions, it will include around 400 players.
