meet the athlete
king of the court Geoffrey Yee details how The Arbutus Club has helped nurture his love for squash and why he stays committed to his craft
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f you frequent the Squash Lounge chances are you'll bump into Geoffrey Yee perfecting his swing. Working with coaches Drew Henderson and Matthew Toth, Geoffrey has become a staple on the courts, volunteering in Club squash camps and clinics, as well as competing in the U17 division. With a goal of going top 20 in Canada within his age group, Geoffrey is well on his way to becoming a leader in squash, and is a fantastic ambassador for The Arbutus Club.
When did you first start playing or participating in squash? Geoffrey: I started playing squash around 4 years ago when I was eleven. I worked very hard to reach the level of skill I'm at today, as most of the people I compete with have been playing squash for 10 years or more.
What is your favourite part of your sport? G: I love going to tournaments, travelling to other cities, playing with people from all over the country, and making new friends. In addition, I enjoy the physical and mental challenge of the game.
How have you adapted to changes in squash throughout the pandemic? G: As I wasn't able to compete with other juniors or do team training, I solo practiced 3-5 times per week, practiced with a ball machine, continued one-on-one lessons with the pros, and undertook a fitness regime. My goal was to focus on technique improvement, learn more game strategy and improve my strength and endurance. Although the pandemic disrupted regular practice routines, I still managed to come out of it a better squash player.
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The Bark fa l l 2021