Entry deadline looms for prestigious Queensland Open

Squash competition is set to return with a bang in the Sunshine State, as Bundaberg hosts the Queensland Open from 5-7 November, 2021. 

The prestigious event that traditionally assigns the State title for men and women will also be the first opportunity to compete in quite some time for female players, after National Team member Rhys Dowling topped the men-only Rockhampton Open in early October. 

As Australian borders are still closed due to the pandemic and ongoing challenges limit interstate travel, this year’s Open isn’t likely to enjoy the same large international participation of previous editions, when athletes from Asian countries and New Zealand would contribute to increasing the international profile of the event. 

Still, the Open will attract many of the best Australian squash players, with the winners from the 2020 edition Bryan Lim (MAS) and Australian junior champion Madison Lyon amongst those expected to take to the court in Bundaberg. 

Entries are still open until 31 October for both the PSA and graded events and Squash Queensland Executive Director Colette Sultana can’t wait to see Queensland’s squash community descend on Bundaberg in numbers to participate.

“The event will still offer a PSA and graded events, with no junior division and the opportunity for many young players to face more experienced opponents in the graded divisions, all the way from premier grade to novice,” Sultana said.

"The club facilities have just been renovated and the courts are looking great,” she added, “So we’re looking forward to having the Open at Bundaberg.” 

The Open will also be one of the rare occasions when the squash community will be able to get together around a court after two very challenging years. Sultana agreed that there is a huge appetite amongst squash players for opportunities to compete, test their progress against new opponents outside their local club scene and enjoy the social aspect of squash at live events. 

“For many athletes it will be a chance to experience a new venue where maybe they haven’t played before, compete against different people from around the state and spectate some of the best squash in Australia - after most of the PSA events this year had to be cancelled or postponed.

“In that respect, it’s a fantastic opportunity to get out there and watch the pros - something we haven’t been able to do much in the last couple of years, unfortunately. 

“And of course Bundaberg is also a beautiful setting to take some time away for a weekend and enjoy the social side of squash in a different environment,” she said. 

The 2021 Queensland Open will be held at Bundaberg Squash Club from November 5-7, 2021. Entries are still open, but will close on Sunday 31 October, 2021.