Club Raro Squash Open a Success

Cook Islands News 10.11.15

Cook Islands Squash is pleased with the sharp increase in the number of overseas participants at their annual Club Raro Squash Open.

From a modest start in in 2013 with only 14 overseas players, the number of participants has since massively increased to 65 last year and 102 this year.

Cook Islands Squash President Brett Baudinet said this was a great achievement for squash and for the tourism industry as the country was being promoted as a great sports destination for all ages.

He said Cook Islands Squash was working on plans to ensure a gradual increase in coming years.

“We have worked hard at marketing this event and the Cook Islands as a holiday destination and are very happy with the numbers we attracted to our beautiful island.”

“With the largest numbers in history for the event (this year), everything went flawlessly.  Games started earlier than usual from 8am to 6pm each day to facilitate the large numbers attending, with only two courts for the tournament.”

“We also arranged events for all our visitors and local members for the entire week from pub crawls, island nights and lagoon cruises to a nice casual barbecue at the club.”

Baudinet said they had received positive feedback from visiting players who were eager to return next year.

He called on interested locals to join the sport in preparation for next year’s tournament.  He said they were open for new players at their casual club nights on Wednesdays.

“It is a sport that once you give it a go, it can become highly addictive because of how much you can enjoy a great sweat-out while having a good occasional laugh.”

Baudinet thanked the creative and hard working committee and the generous local club members who assisted in organising this year’s tournament.

He also thanked their sponsors for their financial support. “A special thanks to Don Carlaw, CITC Liquor, BSP, Island Car & Bike Hire, and our major event sponsor, Club Raro.”

“We have a winning formula now that we will continue to use and hopefully grow our visitor numbers. Hopefully not too much or we won’t be able to fit them all on our two courts.”

Rashneel Kumar