The Wānaka Squash Open, which will be held over King’s Birthday Weekend, will feature one of the country’s top players.

Wānaka Squash Club (WSC) president Tony Johnston said spectators are welcome to come along to the club and watch some “top-level” squash.

The Men’s Open will feature New Zealand’s number two ranked male player Lwamba Chileshe, who has recently arrived back in the country after a successful season in England.

His likely opponent in the final will be Christchurch’s Oliver Johnston, a former national junior champion and NZ team member.

“There are, though, a strong contingent of players from around the South Island meaning real depth in the men’s open draw,” Tony said.

In the Women’s Open, the top seed is WSC vice-president and tournament controller Emma Brown and her likely opponent in the final is Queenstown’s Tracey Flux.

Tony said the club is fortunate to have a player of Lwamba’s calibre playing in the local open thanks to generous sponsors.

“Without them, we would not have been able to have players of such a high calibre entering our tournament and it’s great for a small town… like Wānaka to be able to showcase our sport at such a high level.”

Tony said club numbers are currently increasing fast - particularly in juniors and young women - and as a result it has made plans to double the size of the club.

The club has sold some land at the back of the club site and that, combined with funds earned over the years, is enough for a “reasonable deposit” on costs, but he said the club would still be relying on funding organisations and other fundraising options to “bring our plans to reality”.

The Wānaka Squash Open will begin today (Friday May 31) and run through to Sunday (June 2).

Find more information at the Wānaka Squash Club website.

PHOTO: Supplied