Interview.... Part 1.

To Start my blog, I thought Orange Squash's personal interview by 

Damian Burgess

, would give you an insight into my life, my peculiar mind and how this little determined Welsh man operates. 

Here are the Q's

Quick fire questions.  

Full name?

- Peter David Creed

Hometown?

- Caerphilly, South Wales

Favorite holiday?

- Florida 

Music you are listening to right now?

- No Diggity - Black Street ft Dr Dre

Favorite food?

- Indian or Thai...

Now to the serious stuff…..

An interesting summer for you with the University Championships in Australia, coming home with Gold well done, tell us more about that trip, highlights and low-lights??

- Well Australia was a blast, not often do you get the chance to visit down under, while getting funded for the occasion. So first i was obviously extremely excited, but also very grateful for the opportunity. Rhwibina Squash Club helped me massively and without them it wouldn't of been possible. 

We had a great team, and the cohesion between the group was strong. From the moment we met at the airport, I knew only be positive times were ahead, and that this group, had the potential to achieve Gold, at the World University Championships. Our Team Manager was Andy Hibbert, who was a good friend of mine who I had represented in Avon league. Next was our Coach, Graeme Williams, who works as a regional squash coach for England squash and a new face to myself. On first instincts, I felt a good bond and knew he would be easy to get on with.. We were also lucky enough to have a personal physio by the name of Kate Watson traveling with us, who proved to be the backbone of the team behind the scenes. The players consisted of Joel 'Snoop' Hinds, who had I had shared 2 years at Millfield School with, a good friend and always an easy person to socialize. Chris Hall, who I had competed alongside most of my junior career. Emma 'JL' Chorley, who was also a Millfield representative and a school friend, and Kirstai Mcphee the Yorkshire pudding, who's accent not only could the other teams struggle to understand but also our own. 

On with the trip, 1st stop was a 4 day training camp in Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia. What an experience, and the perfect professional start to the trip. The place is incredible, first impressions were cheap, humid and laid back. I loved the place and cant wait to go back some-time soon. People are friendly, food, clothes and taxi's are in-expensive to say the least. We settled in the rooms, quick dip in the pool, some food and a casual night to help the 13 hour flight jet-lag, not to say i slept 9 hours. On court at 10-am the next day, the team expected some condition games and a mess around to get the body going. Coach Williams thought differently and 10 sets of ghosting would encourage our blood flow more quickly than most would of preferred, but impressions are important, mouth shut, push through and set an example were my thoughts. The next few days flew by, "genuine Rolex's" were purchased, Oakley sunnies and plenty of Casio treats were on show. We trained hard and focused on the challenge ahead. On our last day, the Senior Team announced their chosen captain, and much to my surprise but humbled delight, it was me. Smiles all round and now i can really start my antics with my new armband.. 

Touchdown Melbourne. drastic weather change which reminded me of being at home rather than Neighbours or Home and Away. We sized up our competitors and began getting used to our courts and homes for the next 2 weeks. The individual competition started and the team were treated to everyone winning the first two days. However, my standard of play was lacking due to poor preparation. Unfortunately I had picked up a niggle 3 weeks before, in Toulouse and was unable to train leading up to the trip. Confidence was low and my game was far from its peak. I lost in the Quarter-finals, and with a 3/4 seeding and my own expectations of a medal, I was deeply disappointed and unfortunately unable to compete to the best of my ability. Being named captain, I felt that my emotions needed to be set aside, and focusing on the other players medal chances were important. Joel won the Gold and rightly deserved it, failing to drop a game on course. Emma won Silver, which was a great achievement, and Kirsty pushed through to win a crucial Bronze medal and give us our trio of medals. 

The Team Event was next and we were seeded top dogs. Anything but a Gold medal in my eyes would of been a disaster. I was really looking forward to the opportunity to use my own leadership skills and performances to help the team achieve this goal. The groups stages were successful, the team progressed and the semi-final was in-sight. We won 3-0 comprehensively against the Americans, and now could focus on fulfilling our seeding. We decided that a game of Lazer quest would be the perfect occasion to build our already strong team bonding, and gather the team's energy levels before our final battle. The boys yet again succeeded to win at all costs. Back to the hotel, and an After 8 challenge was set by Coach Williams. This consisted of placing the chocolate mint, on your forehead, and attempting to gather the sweet in ones mouth without the use of your hands. El-Captino myself was victorious with a 2 second achievement, from the flick and catch technique. Although my dislike for the actually sweet was very evident.  The next morning, Joel and I knew that in order to win gold we both had to win, as their women, ranked 16 in the World  was  pretty unbeatable. Joel gave us a scare and after a sketchy, hard hitting affair, got us into the deciding rubber. Being named captain was one honour, but the opportunity to bring the Gold home for the team, was unbelievable and an unforgettable experience. I felt good, and the body and mind felt although it had reached its peak. Its these occasions in life that we train for, and wish to never forget. I won 3-0 and put the GBR Squash Squad at the top of the podium. We had won Gold, Well done to the whole team, and thank you all for the experiences we shared with each other along the way. 

There are always highs and lows to every trip, I hadn’t played well, but managed to finish on a high. The team were amazing, and I wouldn’t of changed one single thing about the trip. The planning was professional, we trained hard, played hard and achieved what we set out to do. We celebrated  our success, a mild hangover was evident and the day had come  to return home, well for most of us. A very sad affair, but we all new it was looming. The GBR squad left Melbourne, Australia, and only Mr Hall and myself were left behind. 

For the next week, me and Chris intended on seeing as much of Australia as possible, maybe a few pubs and get a further insight into this exciting country, everyone seems to enjoy. We had allot of fun, met some nice people and ate out a few times, while enjoying some hostels, and not enjoying others. Hostels become a mixed bag, you get what you pay for. Cheap = Working people living like slobs, with no-intent on being clean. Medium to expensive = pretty much hotel/travel lodge like, with the possibility of a jacuzzi and sauna. We enjoyed our experiences and the time came for me to be left on my own for the next 4 weeks to compete in Sydney and Rockhampton. To my own confusion of driving this small distance, i was told a 12 hour drive was not ideal and flights were booked.  I left for Brisbane, to train and stay with a good friend Steve ‘Stavros’ Finitsis. An Australian born but Dutch resident, ranked within the Worlds top 75. I met a another dutch star, Frank Hartkoren, who I knew from Juniors, but had never had the chance to socialize with. Great guy and a good squash player. Our other living partner was Courtney ‘Kanye’ West, very nice chap, got some skills and eager to move West bound. 

Rockhampton was a disaster, i had lost my way. My head was confused and my game was lacking in precision. The temperature was 25 degrees + inside, and warming up was an affair of 2 shirts.  I lost in the Quarter-finals, and knew that i needed to find my mind quick in order to finish this trip on a positive rather than negative.  

Sydney was next and a slightly bigger tournament lay ahead. I stayed with an old friend Simon Rawlins, who i pay thanks to for putting me up. I trained and began to focus on myself rather than others. Round 1 was successful, and i managed to win 3-0. Next I was playing a good Friend Campbell Grayson’s younger brother boo boo, Alex. Such a nice chap, and at 1-0 down i decided i needed to change my game plan, get myself in gear and push hard. I came through 3-1, and was into the Quarter-finals. Justin Beard was my next opponent, and due to my own gracious beard attempt, felt that I deserved the name a little more.. Anyways, squash, I knew Justin had battled harder than myself in the previous rounds. I kept the pace high, executed my length shot better and created many opportunities. I pulled through 3-0 and felt the joy, confidence and gratitude of why we train in our own sports, for the result and achievements. Now i had to focus on my semi-final, and be humble about my results so far. Jens Schoor was my opposition, and a tricky person to play on cold courts. I struggled to find any momentum, and points seemed hard to get. I had bad starts in each game and within quick time I was out of the competition. I had learnt allot, and thought hard about my experience that week.

I had enjoyed the previous tournament with mixed success. I had met some awesome people, Frank became a close friend, Adrian Dudzicki the philosopher had shared views, and i felt my social network was growing.  Sarah Cardwell was friendly and inviting with many of the other Australian and Kiwi players, going by Alex Grayson, Peter Taylor, Nathan Stephenson and an old friend Rasmus Nielson. 

My time was coming to a close in Australia, i had one last visit to Canberra to watch the Australian Open, and spend some time with a close friend Joey Barrington. I hadn’t expected to be commentating at such event, but Joey’s surprise attack, was to much delight and a good little earner. I enjoyed the down-time after my previous 5 weeks, and continued my training while socializing with the best players in the World and some great friends. 5 days later i was on the plane home and my Australian Adventure, down under was finished. Thanks to everyone i met, people who helped me and Team GB.