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October 2023 Rally Roundup Newsletter: The Howe Cup Edition
Howe Cup! You may have heard of it, but not sure what it is! This edition of the Rally Roundup will provide you with everything you want to know and answer all your questions.
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What is the Howe Cup?
The Howe Cup is the United States’ largest squash event for women and is an annual team championship tournament run by US Squash. The annual women’s five-person team tournament began in 1928 as an inter-city competition between New York, Philadelphia and Boston. It received the Howe Cup title in 1955 when Virginia Griggs of New York City donated a permanent trophy, the Howe Cup, named in honor of Margaret Howe and her twin daughters Peggy and Betty.
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What Else Can You Participate in at Howe Cup?
In addition to the Howe Cup team competition, we will be hosting the MPB Doubles tournament. Entry into Howe Cup entitles players to play in the doubles event at no extra charge. Players may choose to just register for the doubles tournament. Sign Up for the MPB Doubles tournament.
This year, we will be hosting a Women and Girls only Start Squash Coaching Course which is designed to teach the basics of grassroots level squash to leaders in our communities teaching squash in schools, parks and beyond! We would like to give our female squash players/coaches/enthusiasts the chance to learn, discuss and collaborate in a female only environment.
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When is the Howe Cup?
November 10-12, 2023.
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The tournament starts at noon on Friday and runs through 4pm on Sunday. You should be available to play at any time during the tournament.
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Who can Play in the Howe Cup?
From the Howe Cup Rules...
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Eligibility
1. The competition shall be a US Squash accredited tournament open to members of the Association and invited international teams.
2. The tournament shall be divided into Skill Level divisions (A, B, C, D) conforming to such definitions which are established by US Squash. Additional categories such as Age Division and Doubles may be added at the discretion of the Women’s Committee and US Squash.
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Team Formation
1. Teams consist of 5 players, rated within the Skill Level range associated with their division and represent a Region.
2. The members of a Regional team must be residents of that Region, except as provided below:
a. Any player not residing within a Region may represent the Region geographically closest to her residence.
b. Any Region not able to field a complete team in any category may complete the team with players who do not reside within the boundaries of that Region provided, however, that at least 3 members of the team from a given Region are made up of members from that Region. The captain of any co-mingled team must be a member of the Region the team represents.
c. The Howe Cup Committee, in cooperation with the Women’s Committee and US Squash, will make every effort to find an appropriate Howe Cup level team for every woman who wants to play, and to find players for teams that are incomplete.
3. Rating guidelines to describe the A, B, C, and D divisions are given below and will be strictly enforced. A player’s rating is her US Squash end of the previous season’s rating. If a player is either new to US Squash or does not have an end of season rating, they are encouraged to enter at least 2 results, one a win and one a loss to establish an initial rating. A player may play at or above her US Squash established rating level, but not below. Appeals for exceptions will be reviewed and approved by the Women’s Committee in consultation with US Squash. If a player is found to be playing below her skill level without approval, penalties will be determined by the Women’s Committee in consultation with US Squash.
The rating guidelines are below:
- A division – Above 4.01
- B division – 3.3 - 4.01
- C division – 2.8 - 3.3
- D division – below 2.8
4. Players must be 14 years old or older. No team may have more than two junior players on their roster. (U19 players).
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How much does it cost?
Entry Fees:
- Under 30 Individual Player Fee: $150* until October 20, 2023
- Early Individual Player Fee: $195* until October 20, 2023
- Regular Individual Player Fee: $205* between October 21 and October 27, 2023
- Late Individual Player Fee: $225* after October 27, 2023
The early entry deadline for individual player entries is Friday, October 20, 2023 at 12:00pm. Any player entries received after the registration deadline will be charged the regular entry fee of $205.
The regular entry deadline for individual player entries is Friday, October 27, 2023 at 12:00pm. Any player entries received after the registration deadline will be charged the late entry fee of $225.
The online entry period will close at 12:00 pm on Monday, November 6, 2023.
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How do I get on a team?
1. Register for the event and indicate your city. If you are registering for doubles as well, indicate that in the notes with your partner’s name or that you need a partner.
2. Reach out to your city ambassador to let them know you want to play for your city. If your city does not have a city ambassador, contact Karen Arango who is managing the player / team matching program. We will attempt to place you on a team in your region. If one does not exist or have an opening, then we will get you on a team outside of your region.
What if I play in a region with no one else going, but want to play? What should I do?
1. Register for the event and indicate that you are a player looking for a team. If you are registering for doubles as well, indicate that in the notes with your partner’s name or that you need a partner.
2. Contact Karen Arango who is managing the player / team matching program. We will attempt to place you on a team in your region. If one does not exist or have an opening, then we will get you on a team outside of your region.
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Where should I stay?
We have 2 hotels with discount rates in walking distance to the courts.
Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel
- 3549 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Rate: $189 per night
- Rate Available: 11/09/2023 - 11/12/2023
- Book By: 10/13/2023
The Study University City
- 20 S. 33rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Rate: $269 per night
- Rate Available: 11/09/2023 - 11/12/2023
- Book By: 10/06/2023
*If you are no longer in need of your blocked hotel room, please email Narelle Krizek - [email protected] to allow other players to register. If you release your room without handing it over, others will not get the discounted rate.
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What is the weekend schedule?
- Thursday 5:00pm - 8:00pm - Women and Girls Only Start Squash Coaching Course
- Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm - Women and Girls Only Start Squash Coaching Course
- Friday noon - Howe Cup and MPB Doubles play starts
- Friday 5:30pm-7:00pm - free cocktail party and exhibition at the Specter Center (light snacks)
- Saturday 12pm-1pm - Lunch provided at the Specter Center with a player's meeting
- Saturday 7pm-11pm - Howe Cup Party at the Cynwyd Club - with dinner, open bar and DJ
- Sunday 4pm - all matches are complete
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What is Safe Sport and do I need to take the training to play in the Howe Cup?
We all have a role to play in creating a healthy setting in squash. Safe Sport helps raise awareness about misconduct, promote open dialogue, and provide training and resources. By working together, we can build a game plan to make squash safe―for everyone. More details about Safe Sport training will become available through your team captain prior to the tournament.
What is the Start Squash Coaching Course?
The coaches in our squash community are vital. For squash to grow and for players to stay in the game, they need to experience enjoyment and improvement. In this course the participant will experience and develop the qualities associated with a positive, motivating leader.
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This Course will teach Participants to:
- Put Safety First! Maintain a safe and healthy environment in the clinic and know the correct equipment to have available and use.
- Introduce the fundamentals of squash to groups in a FUN way. This could be in non-conventional arenas like parks, handball courts, net walls, as well as squash courts.
- Commanding the group/space to give basic, clear instructions in each session ensuring the best understanding, learning, reflection and collaboration.
- Teach the importance of warming up and cooling down and examples of both.
- Understand and learn basic hand-eye and ball skills.
- Provide basic knowledge to give an understanding of the basic grip, swing, and shots in squash.
- Structure the sessions using helpful progressions with the goal of getting beginner groups playing basic squash and having fun!
- Teach sportsmanship and the importance of playing fairly.
The Start Squash Coaching Course also provides the participant with a detailed 8-week themed coaching course to use and follow in their teaching situations, and will guide them step by step through all the basic and fun aspects of starting squash with a selection of suitable drills/activities, with the aim of getting beginners playing and enjoying squash. Find out more and sign up for the Women & Girls US Squash Start Squash Coaching Course.
What is the history of the Howe Cup?
Margaret A. Howe was the US Champion in 1929, ’32 and ’34. Peggy Howe White was the US Champion in 1952 and ’53. Betty Howe Constable was the US Champion in 1950, ’56-’59 and then went on to become the Women’s Squash coach at Princeton University from 1972-1991.
The B Division was started in 1958, the C Division was added in 1968 and the D division in 2008. In 1993 the Howe Cup tournament converted from hardball to softball. Since the conversion participation in the tournament has grown so much that often regions send several teams in each division. The Howe Cup has been held all over the country and in 2004 in New York City an A Doubles draw was included for the first time.
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THE RALLY SPOTLIGHT
Migyu Kim, a junior at Phillips Academy - Andover, will be writing each month for our newsletter, from essays to interviews, each month will bring something new. Enjoy her essay about playing a match. Enjoy!
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The Box
By Migyu Kim
This single, defining word spits from the referee’s mouth, cutting through the back glass wall. The consonants, loaded with meaning and despair, push their way into my ears. They immerse and embed themselves into my eardrums before registering in my brain.
My chance of success is gone.
My movements run with autopilot. Having done the same routine countless times, I barely think as I go through the customary motions that are expected of a good sportswoman after a match: A handshake and smile. Quick strides to the door before participating in a lighthearted conflict with my adversary about who leaves the court first, including a flurry of “Go ahead,” “You first,” “I insist,” “No, please.” Eventually, one of us surrenders with a laugh and exits the battlefield.
The friendly gestures and expressions feel sharp and bitter as they leave my body. It feels like an act, tasks on a checklist.
After crossing the glass door, I respectfully shake the hands of the two referees.
“Thank you for reffing,” I tell one. “Thank you for reffing,” I repeat to their counterpart.
I force myself to walk to my opponent’s corner. The gaze of her parents and coaches raise to meet my eyes. “Good match,” I squeak out with a false tone of neutrality, bumping fists with my conqueror’s supporters.
“Great playing,” they repeat back with a humble smile.
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