Emma Pritchard
Pam Moran of Grafton is celebrating after winning the Women’s 80-84 Open at the 2024 Australian Masters Squash Championships.
Held in Canberra between September 2-13, the event welcomed close to 400 competitors from across the country and is a prominent fixture on the national sports calendar.
A regular entrant, Mrs Moran has been playing squash for more than 60 years and took her best form onto the courts last month to secure the title.
“I beat Robyn Bamberry, a lady from Queensland who I have played against for many years,” she recalled.
“This was the first time I had beaten her.
“My serve was working really well, I was dropping the ball up the front (of the court) and didn’t really give her a chance to return it, which helped me in a big way.
“I beat her in the first game, and then in the second game, and I wondered if she was going to make a big comeback, but I was able to play consistently and I held on.”
With an impressive scoreline of 3-0 at the conclusion of the third and final game, Mrs Moran said she felt very proud of herself as she complimented her opponent.
Mrs Moran previously won the Women’s 75-79 Open at the 2018 Australian Masters Squash Championships when the event was held in Tasmania.
“You have to be a member of NSW Squash to nominate for the championships,” she explained.
“And you qualify as a Master if you are aged 35 or above.”
Mrs Moran plays competitive squash every Thursday night at the Waterview Heights Squash Club and also trains at the Grafton Squash Centre in Queen Street on Tuesdays.
“I met my husband when he invited me to have a Saturday afternoon hit out with him at the Grafton Squash Centre, and I started playing from there,” she said.
“I’ve been playing continuously ever since.
“Squash is a sport which helps you to stay fit and active, and it gives you a solid half hour of exercise too.
“It’s a lot of fun, and I would love to see more people, especially younger people in Grafton pick up a racquet and give it a go.”
Mrs Moran said she is looking forward to defending her title when the Australian Masters Squash Championships are next held in Perth.
“That is the plan if all goes well,” she revealed.