The Ōpōtiki Squash Club E Grade Men’s team made club history at the National Team Championships held last week in Hawke’s Bay,

Seeded seventh out of eight teams, the Ōpōtiki men went into the competition as underdogs but quickly proved they were a force to be reckoned with.

After a series of hard-fought matches, the team topped their pool in a stunning upset, advancing to the semi-finals with grit and determination.

There, they faced a strong Hamilton Squash Club side in a nail-biting contest and emerged victorious with a narrow 3-2 win, securing their spot in the national final.

The final showdown against Tokoroa Squash Club was a thrilling match full of high-quality rallies and incredible sportsmanship. While Tokoroa ultimately claimed the title, Opōtiki proudly walked away as national runners-up, an unprecedented achievement for the club at this level.

It marked the first time in the club’s history that a team had reached the finals at nationals.

A massive congratulations to the entire team for their commitment, passion, and for representing Ōpōtiki Squash Club with pride on the national stage.

Special thanks to Wilson Bros and Piripi for their generous sponsorship of the team.