NZ coaches feel grading list can only be used to assess standards

There are 15 gradings in total, ranging from A1 to J4. But, the points range for each grading varies from men to women. Despite boasting of such a system, its junior national coach Manu Yam believes it is useful only for picking the best talents and not for enhancing the players’ performances at the international arena. 

“Among all the countries that play the sport, I think we are the only one who have the national grading system. It is a good basis to choose the best players in the country,” said Manu in an exclusive chat with DTNext.  

 “At the end of the day, the grading system is just for NZ. When we go for events like the World Juniors, despite our players being in the A1 or A2 bracket, they still suffer losses at the hands of higher-ranked players from other nations,” added the Auckland-based coach.  His compatriot Glen Wilson, who is also a part of the coaching staff, opined that the list is best suited to get a picture where the player stands in his country. “It gives us an idea of the standards of different players. But, we have a selection process where the juniors play each other for about five weeks and the best of the lot is picked for bigger tournaments,” asserted Glen, who is here for the World Juniors Championships.  

Asked if the lads’ performances have gone a notch up in the ongoing event, he added, “We don’t know the grades of players who we (New Zealand team) are up against. We can only compare ourselves with those who play squash in our country.”  Kiwis defeated higher-ranked Colombia on the opening day of the team event at the Indian Squash Academy courts. Commenting on his wards’ showing against the South American nation, Manu Yam remarked, “It could have gone either way. The boys showed great determination and never gave up.”  

“We are targeting a spot in the final-8. We have now topped our group with two wins. Hoping for a positive result in the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday,” he expressed optimism.