Canterbury’s top squash player, Rod Hayes, has changed his decision not to compete in the Sun Alliance New Zealand Open which begins at Henderson on Saturday.

Hayes, like the top New Zealand professional, Bruce Brownlee, originally withdrew his entry in protest at the exclusion of the South African, Roland Watson,

Both players have now changed their stance after the decision of the International Squash Players’ Association in Adelaide to lift its boycott of the tournament and allow its members a “conscience decision.”

The Christchurch man (not himself an I.S.P.A. member) pulled out of the tournament a fortnight ago after asking himself the question: “If I was from a particular country would I look for support if my entry was refused?”

Hayes, the national under23 champion, is still against the banning of Watson. “Maybe if he had been coming in a South African team I would say fair enough, but instead he’s moving round the world by himself.”

However, he now sees no point in not competing and says it is important that the tournament is well patronised.

“We have got to support this tournament. It’s our one chance of developing the game and bringing it up to a major sport,” said Hayes.

“Squash in New Zealand needs a prestige event,” Hayes said.

Prize money totals $12,000 with the winner getting more than $2000, easily the most offered in a New Zealand tournament.

Hayes originally entered with the aim of watching the incredible Australian, Geoff Hunt, but the world champion is unfortunately sticking by his earlier decision not to defend his title.

8 October 1980