Sam serves up a storm at champs

SAM Herbert slammed her way to the top title in her age group at the World Master Squash Championship in Johannesburg recently.

The 41-year-old Hillcrest resident and avid squash player said she was first introduced to the sport through her parents and competed in her first inter-provincial game when she was 11-years-old. Since then, she has competed in every single inter-provincial tournament, excluding the two years when she had her children, Gemma and Dale.

Her age group is 40 to 44 years old and there are other age groups that cater for players up to 80 years old. This year more than 900 people from around the globe competed in the tournament and there were 25 women in Sam’s age group. In the finals she took on fellow South African, Anlen Murray.

“The final match between us was a very close, tense match. I lost the first game hopelessly and the next few games were close and competitive. It was during the last last match when it came down to nine-all and I then won by two points,” said an ecstatic Sam.

“I lost to Anlen in March this year and was beaten by her in the SA masters nationals by three love. It was an unbelievable feeling to win the title, especially since it was among a home crowd. It was incredible to have the amount of support that I did and I played in front of the biggest crowds I have ever played in front of,” said Sam.

This year’s championship was at the Wanderers Squash Club courts in Johannesburg, the hub of squash and is home to the only glass courts in South Africa.

Describing her games on the glass court, Sam said, “It took a lot of getting used to when playing on the glass court. In the beginning I battled a lot and found that I became accustomed to it every day. It also sounds so different in there and you can’t judge how fast the ball is coming and all of your senses are different.”

Sam said the sport gives her more than a sense of achievement and joy. “Besides the fact that you get a really good workout, you build so many friendships throughout the years and going to a tournament is amazing as you have the opportunity to see them all again and the chance to watch the new players coming up.”

To give herself an extra edge on the squash court, she often competes against the players in the 1st men’s league. “It’s always a good challenge to try and beat the men and they are never happy to lose,” laughed Sam.

In her spare time, the doting mom also coaches squash at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof. “I really enjoy it. When I have a learner who is really keen for the sport and only wants to improve, watching them do so is really rewarding.”