Rob Brooks on the left, current Tournament Chair, with tournament namesake and creator Jim Mason, right.
This week we're boasting about Keira Rawlins who is sharing her squash skills and enthusiasm with nearly 2 dozen students at Holy Trinity School in Richmond Hill. Keira, a top GU17 Ontario player, is one of the young leaders awarded a $500 bursary from Squash Ontario this season to prepare and take a team to the OFSAA sanctioned Jim Mason Cup high schooI team tournament in April. She's stoked with their progress and excitement. They've been heading to the Richmond Hill squash club three times a week for practices.
"I’ve had as many as 25 students and currently average about 10 per session. I have had some help from the squash pros at the Richmond Hill Squash Club, designing drills and activities, which has been great. Everyone is excited and I think the school tournament in April will get them really motivated." Keira Rawlins
With just 10 weeks to go, secondary school squash activity is ramping up with regional events playing out in Windsor, Niagara, and Orangeville, with more events popping up soon. Remember, the event is designed for everyone - not just the experienced squash player but for the beginner squash player as well. We encourage your school to bring everyone interested to try squash in an environment fueled by “Fun, Fitness & Friendship”, Squash Ontario’s motto which was coined by Jim Mason himself. Being in operation since 1986, this event has seen several changes over the years all aimed ensuring secondary school students can experience squash competition in a fun and inclusive team environment with their school mates.
The event’s namesake, Jim Mason, an inaugural Ontario Squash Hall of Fame member in 2005, was instrumental in creating this atmosphere, helping juniors to love the game. To watch Jim Mason spend a weekend in any squash club in Ontario during a junior squash tournament was to receive a lesson in life skills. Jim would appear in his trademark Fedora hat, blue blazer, slacks, and compassionate smile and he made his way to the squash courts. Exchanging greetings with children, parents, and coaches every step of the way, seeming to know each person’s name and something special about their life. As Jim would begin watching a match, inevitably a squash ball would come out of Jim’s pocket and he would be showing another youngster the importance of the grip. There would be laughter as Jim would literally will his messages from his brain to the young people. When the tournament ended on Sunday and many felt their work was done, Jim Mason’s labours of love had just begun. He would return to Meaford and compose letters to countless numbers of young players, parents, and coaches encouraging them on their endeavours and giving them reason to press forward with their squash and their lives.
His essence was for human caring, one person at a time. Jim Mason made a difference during his lifetime and will continue to make a difference through secondary school squash programming as Squash Ontario moves ahead with his mission to build squash at the junior level.