Caitlin is a player that possesses the determination and commitment to the game of squash which has cemented her position in the Kingswood 1st girls squash team over the last few years. She has played for the Kingswood 1st team since Grade 9 and in that time has amassed 50 caps for the girls 1st team and over a hundred caps for Kingswood in the demanding Makana Men’s League which spans a period of 6 months takes place on school nights and in places as far away as Fort Beaufort. Matches often see players return as late as 11pm. In addition to this Caitlin is one of the few players that can boast of never having lost a K-Day match.
While we are not always able to attend the Top Schools Squash Tournament because of where it falls in our calendar, Caitlin, this year’s girls captain, has been part of a Kingswood Girls’ 1st team that has been the top ranked team in the Eastern Province for the last 5 years. She has worked hard to manage her various commitments and manage her time around her squash, often coming to practice on weekends, and even playing during her matric pre-lim exams. Caitlin has played provincial squash for 8 years having first represent her province in the U11 age group. She was also part of an U16 side which brought home a silver medal at IPTs. More recently Caitlin won the Alan Stapleton Tournament in the U19 section and was invited to the prestigious SA Closed Tournament, in Johannesburg, where she finished in the top 20 in the country.
However, when considering someone for this award we cannot simply look at results. We need to look more deeply at how she has represented her school. Caitlin has consistently displayed the best of Kingswood both on and off the court. On the court she has shown courage and resilience, playing vastly more experienced and physically stronger opponents, more often than not adults twice her age. This has forced her to play a smarter and more strategic brand of squash. A prime example was her last ever match for Kingswood where she was fixtured against a Rhodes University team. Being two sets down she had her back against the wall and fought back to level and then win her match. A very fitting end to her Kingswood career. Caitlin has also shown a great interest in the next generation of Kingswood squash, spending time coaching and displaying a willingness to mentor younger players and thus pass on the skills that she has learned over the years.
Caitlin, for your proven track record, commitment you’ve shown to Kingswood Squash and the example you have set to your peers I have no qualms in awarding you honours for Squash.