NATIONAL NEWS - Protea squash player, Jean-Pierre Brits, has been selected as the national men's team coach for the World Team Squash Championships in Hong Kong from 9 to 15 December. 

Brits, based at Mossel Bay Squash Club, played in his last championships at the end of 2023, and decided to retire from professional squash at the beginning of the year. 

He moved to Mossel Bay from Pretoria in April. 

Professional career

Brits (33) said: "I had a good professional career for 15 years and travelled all over." 

But now he is focusing on coaching; organising tournaments and events; and administrative work. 

As the resident professional player at Mossel Bay Squash Club, Brits is contributing positively to squash in the Eden district and organised a junior tournament, held in September, in Mossel Bay, which drew players from around the country. 

Training camp

After a national training camp in Johannesburg from 4 to 6 October, in which he coached the country's national men's and women's squads, Brits applied for the position of national men's team coach and was successful, being selected for the role by the Squash SA board. 

Brits told Mossel Bay Advertiser: "I'm really excited about the opportunity. South Africa has a young set that is in a new phase of development." 

Olympic Games 2028

And, thinking beyond the championships in Hong Kong in December, Brits says: "At the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, it will be the first time squash is included as a sport. 

"It will be good to make an impact and prepare South African players for the Olympics, giving them the opportunity for world class exposure."

Jean-Pierre Brits

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’