After a three-year pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the NWT Junior Squash Championships returned on the weekend.

Twenty-nine participants SA国际影视传媒� from beginners to high-performance athletes SA国际影视传媒� battled it out at the Yellowknife Racquet Club.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e really excited to be having this tournament again after so many years, and weSA国际影视传媒檙e really looking forward to continuing this tournament as a tradition, getting it going again,SA国际影视传媒� said Jeff Hipfner, vice-president of NWT Squash. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a fantastic time and opportunity for these kids to experience the same thing or something similar that the kids down south do.

SA国际影视传媒淔or some of the kids here, itSA国际影视传媒檚 their very first competition in squash ever, and so, that experience obviously goes a long way, and as long as theySA国际影视传媒檙e enjoying it, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what counts,SA国际影视传媒� he added.

Ryan Connon, president of NWT Squash, said he heard positive feedback from the kids and their parents, who were happy to see their children competing and having fun.

SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e having a blast. They making new friends. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e learning new skills. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e improving their game, and theySA国际影视传媒檙e cheering each other on,SA国际影视传媒� said Connon. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 just a really positive atmosphere.SA国际影视传媒�

Mickey Marshall, one of the coaches of the Learn to Play Junior Squash Program, said it was an opportunity for the athletes to compete in a different format. Each competitor was involved in three or four games, depending on their age and bracket.

SA国际影视传媒淪quash is one of the healthiest sports in the world because itSA国际影视传媒檚 not only athletic, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 also cognitively difficult,SA国际影视传媒� Marshall said. SA国际影视传媒淎nd itSA国际影视传媒檚 nice to get them started young, to grow the sport. And thatSA国际影视传媒檚 really how you grow the sport is to get them involved in the sport early on in their life.SA国际影视传媒�