If you happen to be shopping in Bayfair this week, you might get a bit of a shock to see a ‘squash court' erected in the foyer outside K-Mart. I suggest if you have the time, grab yourself a flat white and take in some of the action.

The A1 Homes New Zealand Open will be hotly contested by many of the top women's squash players in the world. This is classified as a Gold event on the world circuit so it's serious business and aside from Shelley Kitchen, NZ's top player, and number 10 in the world there will be plenty of great players to watch coming from all parts of the globe to compete.

Sadly the World No.1 Nicole David hasn't made the trip down under but six of the top 10 will certainly make up for that and perhaps make it even more competitive. The transportable court has enabled squash to move away from the traditional settings of squash clubs and these days only countries that own a portable court are able to host world class events.

It's hard to believe but they were around in my day and I always likened it to playing in a fish bowl. People can see in, but you can't see out. Not entirely true but the composition of the materials mean that it is generally much darker on the inside, although I do imagine that some of the natural lighting in the mall and the bright shop lights will require the girls to really concentrate. But hey they are used to it. These courts have been put up in Central Park, New York at the Pyramids in Cairo and now our very own Bayfair. It does make me chuckle when I imagine the looks on the girls faces when they stroll into Bayfair, lets face it, it is not exactly downtown New York.

NZ squash hasn't hosted an open event for a number of years, so all credit to them for making this happen. Amazing in these difficult economic times that it was even possible, but a big thanks must go to Ross Thomas, a local businessman who has sponsored the event through his company A1 Homes. Without his generosity and support of the event and the contribution of other companies and of course the Mount Sports Club it wouldn't have been possible.

It would be remiss of me not to mention that there is also a men's' event taking place. Whilst the prize pool is not the same (couldn't afford the blokes) there will still be some great squash from many aspiring professionals and even the locals get to strut their stuff with the graded events being played at the Mount Squash Club over the weekend.

I am dusting off the racquet and playing our local MP Simon Bridges, it appears I do have my uses after all and when some publicity is needed the call goes out to dial a local celebrity. Even I am somewhat apprehensive about parading about in front of everyday shoppers going about their business.

However minority sports like squash need all the publicity and promotion they can muster and believe me, if you do make the effort to go and have a look, I have no doubt you will be impressed by the athleticism and skill displayed by the girls this week. Oh, and the guys, I always say the girls can match it for skill but not physically and when people often asked me in my day how I would go against the world's best men I would just say. "You don't put a bantam weight into the ring with a heavy weight'

Happy squashing and I hope our overseas visitors enjoy the Bay hospitality.