2025 ESRA Open Racquetball Tournament
Published Mon 03 Mar 2025
The first National Racquetball Circuit tournament of 2025 was the ESRA Open Championships, held at Tonic Squash and Gym, Dromana on 22nd – 23rd February. Numbers were well up on last year’s event with 77 players entering (58 singles entrants (51 last year) and 52 doubles entrants). The event again proved to be highly successful. Thanks once again to host Amelia Martin and the Tonic family headed by club stalwart Matt Howard.
We had three first time Men’s Open players, Jonathan Klein, Chris Milsom and No.2 ranked Victorian squash player, Ben Ratcliffe. Also adding quality was No.1 ranked Victorian Squash woman, Sarah Cardwell, playing her 2nd racquetball tournament.
The highlight match of the tournament was the Men’s Open semi-final between Ben Ratcliffe and local champion Steve Andrewartha. In a long grueling match in very hot conditions, Ben edged out Steve 21-19 in the third game. This proved to be a deciding influence on the final where a fresh Ryan McCarter won in two quick games. In the Woman’s Open, another class match between Sarah Cardwell and Amelia Martin, with Sarah winning in two tight games. Repeating last year’s result, the local pairing of Steve Andrewartha and Leon Crooke took out the Open Doubles.
Full results can be viewed here: https://shorturl.at/TS0ro
The presentation ceremony also honored 2024 National Circuit Champions. Winning players attending the ESRA tournament were presented with their trophies. Other winners will be presented at the next tournament they enter. It was also announced that the 2025 awards will be based on ranking points gained from the 2024 Australian Open until the 2025 Ballarat tournament in September. This will allow the 2025 awards to be presented at the 2025 Australian Open in October.
On Saturday night a large group dined out at the Jetty Road Brewery, a fantastic, busy venue with quality food, good service, and plenty of laughs from those attending.
Once again, many thanks to Tournament Manager Ian Chalmers who did a lot of pre-tournament work, lobbying players, and collating entries. Also, thanks to Sandy Chalmers who manned the canteen and made sure all players were well fed on both days.
The next event on the national calendar is the Wodonga Racquetball Championships on 15th – 16th March, followed by the Victorian Open in April.
