Masters win at nationals

Two members of the Warkworth Tennis and Squash Club were crowned number one in their age group at the New Zealand Masters National Individual Championships last month.

Kaye Jackson and Fiona Rouse competed at the squash event in Tauranga at the Devoy Squash and Fitness Centre from September 14 to 16.

This was a 14th NZ masters title for Kaye, which made her a back-to-back champion, as she also secured first place at the event last year.

This year, Kaye defeated Pat Taylor, from the Bay of Plenty, in the 70-plus category.

Meanwhile, Fiona Rouse, competing as number one seed in the 45-plus category, picked up her first title at the event in her second attempt.

“I was stoked to win the competition, but most of all just happy I could play the whole thing without having to pull out,” Rouse says.

“I went into it with a shoulder injury so anti-inflammatory got me through on this occasion.”

The former Wellington and NZ U21s number one player won all four of her matches 3-0.

“The semi-final was probably my hardest game, with the third set going to 13-11 against a girl who I played with as a junior in Wellington.”

Rouse has played squash since she was a child and represented Remuera Racquets as an adult.

“I moved to Auckland for more competition and to go to university. I went on to win multiple Mitchell Cups with Remuera alongside players such as Susan Devoy and Donna Newton.”

Fiona stopped playing after moving to Warkworth and having a family, but she was spurred on to compete again following a traumatic incident in her life.

“I just felt like getting on court and hitting some balls.

“The masters champs is a great event, and I will definitely compete again.”