Bega Squash Club has been shortlisted in the Club of the Year category for the 2019 Squash Australia awards.
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The winners of the Squash Australia annual awards will be announced on the Gold Coast in conjunction with the WSF World Doubles Championships, Australian National Championship and Australian Doubles Open on June 21.
The awards will recognise the achievements of those nominated in the 2018 calendar year.
A club spokesperson said the Bega Club owed its success to the hard work of its volunteer committees over 40 years, the support of past court owner Peter Eaton and Club Bega who had the foresight to build two additional courts in 1997 to allow the club to continue its competitions when Mr Eaton's courts were closed, as well as the support of the local community, particularly local businesses who have sponsored the club and its events.
"Some of our sponsors, like Malcolm Slater Pty Ltd, have been with us since the club's formation in the mid-1970s," the club spokesperson said.
"Our major sponsors, Peter and Janelle Turner of the Grand Hotel, have supported the club at that level for 20 years now.
"We also have many players and committee members who have been with the club for over 20 years, a few were playing in the 1970s and are still supporting the club."
Bega Squash runs three competitions a year with an average of 90-100 players in each competition. It also has a junior comp with around 30 current members. The club also runs a NSW Masters tournament and has grown its Bega Open tournament to a professional Squash Association event.
This year Squash Australia awarded the club the opportunity to host the Australian Open, which will be held from July 3-7.
"This is an fantastic opportunity for Bega," the club's spokesperson said.
"Not only is it a great opportunity for our club, but it's not often people in the Bega Valley can watch world class athletes perform in an Australian event without having to travel to a major centre. Again this would not be possible without the support of sponsors, particularly Tarra Motors Bega who have secured the support of Kia Motors to allow the event to be held in Bega."
Votes from the public make up 25 per cent of the Squash Australia awards decision. To vote for Bega Squash Club, go to Squash Australia's website or follow the links on Bega Squash Club's Facebook page. Voting closes on April 1.