Stage is set for fast-paced Squash action at GC2018
Malaysian squash superstar Nicol David and Australian No.1 Women’s squash player Donna Urquhart today received their first behind-the-scenes look at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Oxenford Studio venue.
With just 13 days to go until the Games commence, the Oxenford venue has undergone a stunning transformation from a movie set more accustomed to the filming of Hollywood blockbusters, to a world a class competition venue that will host the GC2018 Squash, Boxing and Table Tennis competitions.
The highlight of the Squash venue is a show court made entirely of glass, which will provide a unique spectator experience for the 2,000 fans who will receive 360-degree views of the world’s fastest racquet sport.
David and Urquhart are tipped to feature prominently during the women’s GC2018 Squash competition and gave the new venue the seal of approval during their visit alongside Australian Squash legends Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Geoff Hunt.
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chief Executive Officer, Mark Peters said great tickets to the GC2018 Squash Competition, including tickets to finals, semi-finals and preliminaries, are still available.
"Squash is one of few sports that will be played over all 11 days of sporting competition at GC2018 and this provides spectators with plenty of opportunity to witness world-class squash on the Gold Coast," he said.
"In addition to being played at one of the most unique venues, squash is a game of speed with balls travelling at up to 280km/h.
"With 28 competition nations taking to the courts, there will be plenty of thrills and rallies to keep fans on the edge of their seats."
David, said she was really thrilled to be back here on the Gold Coast in what will mark her sixth Commonwealth Games.
"Being part of the Malaysian team and representing my country in a Games like this and looking at this facility here, it’s one of the best I’ve seen …. after Malaysia [laughs]," she said.
"It’s an amazing atmosphere here, just sitting down here looking around, I’m just excited to give it my all here and hope for the best."
Urquhart, said the venue at Oxenford Studios would provide a great experience for GC2018 spectators.
"It’s really exciting for all the people that haven’t seen Squash before, I think when they [spectators] walk in here and see this venue, I think they’re going to be really surprised, in a good way, that this is what Squash is," she said.
"It looks amazing in here… sitting here imagining it full of people, it’s just going to be buzzing, and it’s going to be fantastic.
"It’s going to be the first time that my family has been to a Commonwealth Games to watch me and also there are a lot of people coming from Yamba, because it only two hours’ drive away and I’ve known my whole life, who have never seen me play Squash before probably. That’s really cool, there all going to start following it more now."
---The Australian team leads the overall medal table at squash at the Commonwealth Games with 30 medals (nine Gold, eight Silver and 13 Bronze).
Squash tickets are priced from just $10 for children and $20 for adults.
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