Vale Paul Vear

Our racquetball community carries heavy hearts today on learning of Paul Vear’s passing yesterday afternoon.
Paul’s dedication to Australian Racquetball was without peer. He encouraged, cajoled (sometimes) and gently nudged players and potential players to give racquetball a go, often calling potential entrants on the eve of a tournament to see if they ‘might be free for a bash’ to ensure everyone at the event had a great experience and solid hit. His presence at tournaments and events was larger than life, and he was always happy to share thoughts and ideas on how to grow the sport we all love. His energy around the courts was infectious, and his joy and love for the sport and its participants clear to see.

Paul leaves behind massive shoes to fill and an enduring legacy in racquetball. We will miss you dearly.

We pass on our condolences to his partner Jane, children Ryan and Tara and the extended Vear family.

Details of Paul’s Funeral Service:-
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/tributes/notice/funeral-notices/vear-paul/5880695/

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Paul Vear will be held at the Heritage Funeral Home 733 Boronia Road Wantirna on Friday 28TH January 2022 commencing at 4.00pm.
Private Committal
If you are unable to attend you are invited to view the service live on the link below:-
https://www.belindajanevideo.com/client-video/paul-vear/

Hi ESRA Racquetballers,

The VIC GOV Roadmap out of COVID-19 Lockdown makes it clear that we will not be able to get back onto court to practice or compete until sometime after 5 November.
Sadly, we have no option but to abandon Spring Pennant 2021.

On a brighter note, we are now able to begin planning for 2022.

RETURNING TO COURT

Undoubtedly there will be protocols that we will need to follow to ensure our safety, that of other players, and the venues in which we train and play. Some of these will be universally mandated; other will be venue specific. We will work with S&RV and venues to ensure that all players are fully aware of these protocols. While we are yet to see the fine print of the VIC GOV Roadmap, it is likely that some, if not all, venues will implement a “no jab – no entry” policy.

Doubles Mania style program in December and January – PROPOSED
If people are interested, and assuming that the protocols allow; we may be able to run a Doubles Mania style program in December and January to allow people to ease back to form and fitness ahead of Autumn Pennant.

If you think you would be interested, send a text to Ian on 0418 372 560 so that we can gauge the level of support.

AUTUMN PENNANT

Autumn Pennant will commence in early February, by which time we will have had nearing two months back on court to prepare for competition.
The most likely commencement date is the week commencing Monday 7 February. The ESRA Fixture will again be coordinated with the various squash comps conducted around Melbourne to minimise difficulties arising from any future lockdown, should one occur. A meeting of the various bodies will be held in early October to agree on dates and protocols.

It would be lovely to think that the Spring Pennant Teams and Grades could be moved unchanged to Autumn Pennant 2022 … but it is probably not quite that simple.

We ask that Team Captains and Venue Coordinators contact all players to ascertain their intentions for Autumn Pennant 2022.
We would like to provide details of Teams, Grades & preferred home nights to S&RV by 30 November to allow the fixtures to be drawn up without the normal last-minute rush.

 

ESRA TOURNAMENT – Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 February 2022

The 2022 ESRA Tournament will revert to its normal February time slot. It will be held for the first time at Dromana Tonic Squash & Gym on Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 February 2022. The Tonic crew spearheaded by Matt Howard and the Tournament Committee did a lot of preparatory work before the 2021 event was cancelled.  None of this work will be wasted and we look forward to a successful return next year.

Late February, summer’s end, but after the peak of the season seems an ideal time to spend a weekend on the Peninsula. You might wish to explore accommodation options to take advantage of all that the region offers in addition to the Tournament

VICTORIAN & MOUNTAIN DISTRICT TOURNAMENT – 2022 VIC OPEN

The 2022 VIC Open will once again be held at Genesis Wantirna (Mountain District) on Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 July 2022.
Everything was in place for the 2021 event before it was abruptly cancelled 36 hours before commencement. Fortunately, the fresh food had not been purchased and the Tournament T-shirts were ordered without a date on them (just in case). Along with prizes and other material they are stored and ready for 2022.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME ?

Five times Australian Open Racquetball Champion and former Squash International Geoff Wilcock will resume his Team Wilco Squash & Racquetball coaching at Goodlife Healthclub Wantirna as soon as the roadmap allows. If you would like individual or small group coaching contact Geoff on 0403 336 093.

ESRA Annual General Meeting 2021 – via Zoom on Monday 13 December at 7.30 pm

The 2021 ESRA AGM will be held via Zoom on Monday 13 December at 7.30 pm.
The Agenda and Reports covering the year 2020-2021 will be circulated well in advance of the meeting. By the date of the AGM we should have greater clarity regarding the 2022 Autumn Pennant season. A question & answer session will follow the AGM.

The last few months have been difficult for all Victorians, and frustrating for participants of all indoor sports. It will improve both our physical and mental wellbeing to be able to get back on court and to catch up with old friends. We hope that you and your families are coping well and ready for life after lockdown.

We look forward to seeing you all at a court somewhere, sometime soon.

Sincerely,
ESRA Committee

 

ESRA Spring Pennant will commence on Monday 9 August 2021.

Fixtures and Team Lists can be found under QUICK LINKS.
Team Captains please let your team members know the date, location and starting time of your Round 1 match.

FUTURE LOCKDOWNS

The various squash and racquetball competitions, whose fixtures are interlinked have agreed on a common approach, should we experience a further lockdown during the season.
The rounds will be played on the dates shown on the Fixture.

In the event of a lockdown the rounds which would have been played will be discarded.
As an example:
If a two week lockdown occurs after Round 5, Rounds 6 & 7 will be discarded and Round 8 will be played as scheduled on the week of Monday 27 September.
(NOTE: Some “catchup” may be necessary if a lockdown commences mid week, to complete the round.)

All stakeholders agree that COVID-19 is likely to affect our lives beyond this season.
We will meet at the end of the season to review the guidelines in place, and to modify them if necessary.

COVID VENUE RESTRICTIONS

Please ensure all players are aware of the need to comply fully with the COVID rules in place at each of our VENUES. These will vary from venue to venue.
We will publish venue specific instructions as we receive them, Failure to adhere to the rules could cause a venue to be SHUT DOWN(!) should it be subject to a COVID audit.

NOTE: The COVID venue entry restrictions for Mulgrave Country Club (MCC) have been updated on our Clubs page

FINALS

ESRA Finals will be played on the dates shown on the Fixture with Grand Finals for all interlinked comps held during the week of Monday 6 December.
Fingers crossed, we can get through the season without lockdown.

We wish you all a successful season.

ESRA Committee
Ian Chalmers

Congratulations to the winners of our G2, G3 and G4 Grand Finals !!
Commiserations to the runners up.
And a BIG Thank you to all our REFFs on the night.

It was a great night of sportsmanship and fun, the only poor performance was in getting through the supper provided.
A lot was taken home, so room for improvement there. (Thank you Ian and Sandy !)

GRAND FINAL Results:
Grade 2 – MD Rebels 160 def MD Champs 126
Grade 3 – MD Crocs 154 def MD Alligators 132
Grade 4 – Lilydale Blue Balls 157 def Dromana Cannons 152

And congratulations on the individual efforts below !:-

Best Players for Autumn 2021:
Grade 2
No 1 – Alan Deans
No 2 – Jamie Evans
No 3 – Ryan Birks

Grade 3
No 1 – Joe Moore
No 2 – Marco Premoselli
No 3 – Brett Ramsden

Grade 4
No 1 – Mark Purton
No 2 – Rod Reynolds
No 3 – Chris Thomas

GRADE 1 GRAND FINAL

We encourage all spectators interested in watching some premier Racquetball to come along to the Grade 1 GF at MD (GENESIS Wantirna) at 7.30pm on Mon 26th July.

 

2021 Victorian Open Racquetball Tournament

The easing of COVID19 restrictions allows us to confidently conduct the Vic Open next weekend at Genesis (MD).
Singles will be played on Saturday 17th and Doubles on Sunday 18th July.

Numbers of Interstate and Country players will be lower than normal due to border restrictions and COVID uncertainty.
We would like as many ESRA players as possible to play to ensure that all participants get good games against players of similar standard.

As we say each year … if you can only give one day to the tournament please consider playing Doubles.

Entries will remain open until Sunday. To enter please contact Paul Vear by phone on 0409 726 887 or by email at paulvear@bigpond.com 

Grand Finals for Grades 2, 3 and 4 will be played at Genesis Wantirna (Mountain District) on Monday 12th July commencing at 7:30pm.

Grade 2: MD Rebels vs MD Champs … Refs: Lilydale Cowboys
Grade 3: MD Crocs vs MD Alligators … Refs: MD Grace
Grade 4; Dromana Cannons vs Lilydale Blue Balls… Refs: MD Possibles

COVID19 Rules:
• All players, referees and spectators must enter via reception and sign in using the QR Code.
• Face masks should be worn while walking through the venue and when not participating in matches as a player or as a referee / marker.. Face masks can be removed during supper.

Supper will be provided by the Committee. Competing teams should provide their own drinks, remembering to also provide for the referees.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Grade 1:
The Grade 1 Finals series has been impacted by the COVID19 delays which have caused unavoidable clashes between the various squash and racquetball competitions. 
MD Supper Knights and Kooyong Reds have worked with the committee to find a date on which they will both be able to field full teams, and which will not clash with the Victorian Open Tournament.

The Grade 1 Grand Final will be played at Genesis Wantirna (Mountain District) on Monday 26th July commencing at 7.30 pm.

Good luck to all teams participating in the Grand Finals

Regards,
ESRA Committee

SEMI-FINALS for Grades 2, 3 and 4 will be played at Mulgrave County Club on Monday night 5th July at 7:00pm.

Note: Starting time is #7pm to meet MCC covid kitchen hours.
If any players are going to be late, please let the opposing captain know so that play can begin promptly.

COVID19 Rules:
• All players and referees must enter via reception and QR code/sign in.
• Face masks to be worn while walking through the venue and when not participating in matches. Face masks can be removed during supper.

Rayleen Cooper will collect money and organise suppers (food only) for all grades. Rayleen will also provide the match balls.
NOTE: MCC is a licensed venue (no BYO).

SEMI-FINALS #Teams and #Referees are as follows:
• Grade 2 is Champs vs Smash – Refs: Kooyong Frothies
• Grade 3 is Maulers vs Alligators – Refs: MCC Gypsies
• Grade 4 is Bandits vs Blue Balls – Refs: MCC Marvels

The Grade 1 Semi-Final between the Hacks & Kooyong Reds cannot be played on Monday 5th July. The team captains will arrange the night and venue to play their matches and will most likely referee themselves.

GRAND FINALS
Grand Finals are scheduled for Mountain District next Monday 12th July at 7.30 pm.
Gr 1 is Supper Knights vs ?? …. Refs: MD Haze
Gr 2 is Rebels vs ?? … Refs: Lilydale Cowboys
Gr 3 is Crocs vs ?? … Refs: MD Grace
Gr 4 is Cannons vs ?? … Refs: MD Possibles

Good luck to the teams participating in the finals.
Regards,
ESRA Committee

Please see Google Spreadsheet Ladder for latest updates.
(Information for G2 & G4 Semi-Finals (5-July) will be provided later)

Grade 1
Date	Final	Teams	Venue	Referees	Day	Start Time
28-Jun-21	Elim. Finals	Teams Finishing 1 V 2  Teams Finishing 3 V 4	MD  Kooyong	MCC Steel  3 v 4 will self Reff	Monday  Tue & Wed	7:30pm
05-July-21	Semi Finals	Loser from 1 V 2 plays Winner from 3 V 4	MCC	5th Team	Monday	7pm
12-July-21	Grand Finals	Elim. Winner from 1V2 plays Semi Final Winner	MD	Loser of 3 v 4	Monday	7:30pm

 

Grade 3
Date	Final	Teams	Venue	Referees	Day	Start Time
28-Jun-21	Elim. Finals	Teams Finishing 1 V 2, 3 V 4	MD	7th & 8th Team	Monday	7:30pm
05-July-21	Semi Finals	Loser from 1 V 2 plays Winner from 3 V 4	MCC	6th Team	Monday	7pm
12-July-21	Grand Finals	Elim. Winner from 1V2 plays Semi Final Winner	MD	5th Team	Monday	7:30pm