Back Left to Right : Mark Bishop (Men’s Finals Runner-up), Johan Otto (Club Person of the Year), Morne Rothman (Consolation Plate Winner), Yolande Steyn (Ladies Finals Runner-Up and Sportswoman of the Year), Andreas Mayer (Club Chairman), Jason Barron (Sportsman of the Year)
Front Left to Right : Chanelle Birch (Ladies Champion), Grant Viljoen (Men’s Champion), Lucas Bosch (Consolation Plate Runner-Up)
After a thrilling two hours of squash action on Saturday 25 November 2006, Grant Viljoen and Chanelle Birch emerged as Club Champions 2007 of Benoni Lake Squash Club.
17-year-old St Andrew’s School for Girls pupil, Chanelle Birch faced a grueling test from former Club Champion, Yolande Steyn in the Ladies Final with the first game eventually going to Yolande 10-9. She then went on to win the next three games consecutively, successfully defending her Club Champions title with a final score of 3 games to 1.
In the Men’s Final, 23-year-old BSC Environmental Management student, Grant Viljoen, won 3-0 against 33-year-old Commercial Insurance Broker, Mark Bishop taking his first title at Benoni Lake Squash Club.
“I had a great game,“ said Grant, “I felt good when we started. Mark had some great shots but I it all just seemed to come together for me.”
Chanelle was also exceptionally proud of her victory. She recently won the Under 19 National Championships at Wanderers and earlier this year represented South Africa in Malaysia coming 8th overall at the Penang International.
The Club Championships are an annual event held at Benoni Lake Squash Club and comprise a round robin section of 32 players followed by a play-off and the finals.
At the prize-giving ceremony additional prizes were awarded with Yolande Steyn and Jason Barron taking Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year (for sportsmanship on and off the court) and committee member, Johan Otto winning “Club Person of the Year” – all three of these prizes being voted by the club members. Morne Rothman and Lucas Bosch won the Consolation Plate and Runner-up to the Consolation Plate.
After the prize-giving ceremony, was a superb spit-braai, while everyone watched the Springboks defeat the English in the newly refurbished sports bar.
“The finals were very well attended,” said Chairman, Andreas Mayer, ”I definitely feel there is a renewed interest in the game of squash and why not – it’s great exercise and here at Benoni Lake Squash Club it is also great fun.”
