Simon Warder Memorial Squash Tournament

2016 Tournament to Benefit Local Men’s Health

Awareness and funds will be raised for prostate cancer at the 5th annual Simon Warder Memorial Pro-Am Squash Tournament from November 14-20 at Huron Oaks Squash Club, sponsored by Alliance Fabrications Ltd.

This year the event has grown to include two Professional Squash Association (PSA) events:  A men's 5K PSA, sponsored by ANJ Industrial, which includes a qualifying round with a total of 32 highly ranked world PSA players (match play for qualifying starts on November 14,) and a women's 5K PSA, sponsored by Summit Insulation, with a total of 16 highly ranked world women PSA players (match play for each of the main rounds starts on November 17, with finals scheduled for November 19.)

“We started this tournament in 2012 as a memorial to our friend Simon Warder, who passed away in 2011 from prostate cancer,” says one tournament organizer Brad Fisher. “Simon was an avid squash player and advocate for the game. He was one of the original founders of Huron Oaks Squash Club and was a very active junior coach. He studied the rules of the game and over the years became one of the highest qualified squash referees in Canada. We wanted to honour his contribution to the game both locally and nationally.”

“The Simon Warder Memorial Squash Tournament speaks volumes about the care and compassion of the squash community in Sarnia and a far,” says Andrew Warder, son of Simon Warder and tournament participant. “If it weren’t for the efforts of people like Brian Wilkins, Kevin Bradd, Brad Fisher, Gary Delavigne, Brant Jacklin, and Micaala Seth, just to name a few, the tournament would not be in existence.  It’s an honor for me to be able to participate in this event in memory of my dad and to see the squash community come together to remember him, his contributions to the game, and to support a great cause.”

To date the tournament has raised over $65,000 for prostate cancer and Bluewater Health’s Prostate Cancer Clinic, where the planning committee has again decided to direct the proceeds of this year’s tournament. 

“It is a true honour for us to receive funds from this important event celebrating the life of Simon Warder,” says Kathy Alexander, Executive Director, Bluewater Health Foundation. “By allocating the funds locally to the Prostate Cancer Clinic, the tournament, its players and sponsors, are making a difference for so many men in the Sarnia-Lambton community.”

Approximately 70 participants from across Ontario and beyond will compete over the course of three days at the amateur event. The tournament features an open division for men and women and will draw some of the top players in the country. For more information or to register, visit hosquashclub.com.

Spectators are welcome and encouraged. For more information about purchasing tickets or reserved seating, contact Gary Delavigne at [email protected].

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For media inquiries or more information:      

Kathy Alexander
Executive Director
Bluewater Health Foundation
519-464-4438

Brad Fisher
Organizer
Simon Warder Memorial Squash Tournament
519-384-0612