WORLD Masters gold medalist Nisha Casey is keen to promote the sport of squash in the country.
Australian Casey held a week-long coaching clinic at the Northern Club in Lautoka. The Fiji born former professional player was impressed with the talent of junior players in the Sugar City. 'Casey said she was willing to sacrifice her time to develop a new generation of squash players in the country.
"There is a bright future for the upcoming players," Casey said.
"I spent five days with the junior players at the Northern Club including rising star Marika Matanatabu and Nitesh Prasad. Jeremy Bryant, the local coach and current Lautoka junior number one worked together with me."
"He played well in the Australian Junior Squash Championships in Melbourne last year and became a Level One coach. However Jeremy will soon be leaving for America to pursue his studies and further his squash career."
Casey won the gold medal during the 2002 World Masters Games in Melbourne. Last year she won the Forbes Open and in 2010 Casey lifted the Bathurst Squash Open title.
Casey said up skilling the technique of the players was the main focus during the five day coaching clinic.
She said the aim was to get more juniors into the sport.
"Justin Ho the "Nadal" of Fiji squash also participated in the coaching clinic," Casey said. "I have invited Justin and Marika to play in some of the tournaments in Sydney this year. Especially the New South Wales Open which is in three months time. I have also invited them to train at the Roseland's Squash and Fitness Centre where I'm based."
"I will be coordinating with Eremasi Matantabu, the western squash director to organise more coaching clinics in the near future. It is certainly a very exciting step forward for the sport in Fiji."