Sport
14 January, 2025
Doti excited for squash tournaments
Horsham's Oliver Doti is looking forward to the two squash events, Battle of the Border and the Horsham Silver, which will be held at Horsham Squash Club this weekend, Saturday, January 18, and Sunday, January 19.
The Battle of the Border is a junior tournament between the best Victorian and South Australian squash players. The Horsham Silver is a junior tournament, one of a few held in 2025, which will feature the best juniors from around Victoria.
Doti took up squash three years ago thanks to his sister, Thalia Hopper, and brother-in-law, Tim Hopper, and he hasn't looked back.
Doti has played in junior competitions, including the Hopman Cup, which is the Victorian Country Squash Team Championships held annually in May.
Doti said that squash is an enjoyable sport.
"The people are good, and it's a good way to run around a bit and stay fit, and it's an enjoyable game," Doti said.
"I am happy to play the game and not looking to take it professionally. It's all a bit of fun."
This weekend, Doti will play in the Battle of the Border for the first time, and he looks forward to seeing how he can improve his squash.
"It's good being able to play on home courts, and I am looking forward to seeing ways to improve how I play and meeting new people," Doti said.
"As for the Horsham Silver, it was the first one they did last year, and I didn't do well, so I want to do better on Sunday.
"I look forward to watching other people and seeing how they play, the better ways to take shots and what I can do to improve."
Horsham Squash Club president Tim Hopper said it's massive for the club to be able to host these tournaments, notably the Battle of the Border.
"It's huge to be able to host the Battle of the Border as it's usually held in Melbourne or Adelaide," Hopper said.
"They have moved it to a central town, and to have the Silver Tournament as well means we have the best juniors from the states come to Horsham.
"It will enable us to show our juniors the level they need to get to and what they can achieve as juniors and Squash in general."