Squash

Wade in action

The squash court was built in the 1980's and Presentation remains the only school in the island with a squash court on the premises. The availability of the court and professional coaches has had and continues to have a tremendous impact on the development of the game here in the College. Every day hordes of students flock to the courts for a quick game and friendly rivalries have developed. The quality of squash played at the College is very high and this is due to the availability of the court and of the coaches. This exceptionally high standard of excellence has produced many exceptional players who have gone on to represent both Presentation and the country regionally and internationally. Plans are afoot to construct a newer court of the correct dimensions. We can only hope that this will not take as long to materialise as the 'Pres' Pool.

L-R: Paul Braithwaithe, Paul Lee, Wayde Callender

In 1983 Trinidad and Tobago participated for the first time in the Caribbean Squash Championships, solely through the efforts of Cicelia Prudent. Presentation College students since then have made up the bulk of the Boys team, with the exception of a few individuals from other schools in Trinidad. The Boys team of1983 was Michael Khan,Robert Wong, Whilby McKnight, Mark Laughlin, Joey Lee Son, Dirk Prudent and Don Fabien Lee. As the years rolled by and through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Prudent who coached students during lunch periods, after school and sometimes during the P.E. sessions, squash was offered to the students at no charge for the first seven years and thereafter for a nominal fee. Squash quickly became an alternative to all the outdoor sports offered by the College and did quite have an appeal.

Students likeWarren and Darren Hassanali, Mark Lee Son, Francois Khan, Paul Lee, Kavir Mohammed, Kwame Johnson, Raul Aimey, Sean Quan Soon, Aadil Edoo, Roger Gill, Sheldon Skeete, Paul deVerteuil, Rayard Khan, Shayne Mohammed and Rudhra Persad all made the National Junior Teams from 1983-1997 at some point. Some of these players have gone on to represent Trinidad and Tobago in the Senior Division - students such as Michael Khan, Dirk Prudent and Don Fabien Lee were seeded No.1 in Trinidad. More recently Paul deVerteuil and Kwame Johnson are the leading men. Robert Wong and Paul Lee also represented T & T at the Senior level.

The Junior teams won the Championships in 1988, 1989 and 1991.

Squash coaching was conducted by Mrs. Prudent who encouraged and motivated the students to perform at their highest level and out of her programme produced top class squash players who went abroad and pursued squash at tertiary level eg. Michael Khan, Dirk Prudent, Don Fabien Lee, Paul Lee, Rudhra Persad, Warren and Darren Hassanali and other students. Many students however chose to play squash for recreation and continue to enjoy the game by participating in club activities or playing in tournaments.

Squash coaching was also offered to Naparima Girls High School (N.G.H.S.) students who shared the courts with the Presentation students. Needless to say like the men's teams the majority of the women's and girl's teams have been made up of NGIIS girls. These include - Rhea Khan, Sherry Anne Pragg, Sarah Ramasra., Stacey Ramlakhan, Giselle Ragbir, Nishi Nirjhawan, Kimberley Lazzau and Karma Lutchmeesingh.

Unfortunately coaching by Mrs. Prudent came to an end as she left to further her studies. Coaching may resume next term.

Caribbean Championships were very useful for providing friendly rivalry, integration and learning the cultures of other Caribbean countries. Becoming a Junior national player is still eyed with envy and it is the goal of most youngsters.

Despite the court's irregularities, Presentation College has been able to produce the best players in the country and has been able to offer court time to San Fernandians after working hours. Presently the court is managed by Dirk prudent but prior to this Mr. Poon King and friends have kept the courts in working condition and this venue was used to play inter club matches.