New Zealand sports fans will get a rare chance to watch the country's top squash players in action from the comfort of their living rooms next month (September).

In a major fillip for the sport in this country, the latter stages of the National Championships in Palmerston North will be screened on Māori Television on Sunday September 9.

  New Zealand's national indigenous broadcaster will be showing highlights of the four semi-finals from 11.00 AM, before screening both the men's and women's finals live to a nationwide audience from 12.00 PM to 2.00 PM.  

It is the first time New Zealand's National Championships have been screened on live television and the first major senior domestic event of any sort to grace our screens in at least a decade.

  Fittingly, New Zealand's top touring professionals are all coming home for the event with Shelley Kitchen, Jaclyn Hawkes, Louise Crome, Kashif Shuja and Martin Knight amongst those competing.  

Squash New Zealand chief executive Mike Thompson says it is excellent news for the sport which already enjoys close ties with Māori Television.

“Māori Television has been one of the biggest supporters of squash in recent times and it is fantastic that the relationship has now blossomed to a stage where our National Champs will be on live television.

“Hopefully this will be the start of an even more fruitful relationship between Squash New Zealand and Māori Television.”

The New Zealand National Squash Championships are in Palmerston North from September 7-9.

Māori Television is screening exclusive coverage of the nationals on Sunday September 9 including highlights from the four semi-finals at 11.00 AM and live action from the men's and women's finals from 12.00 PM to 2.00 PM.

  Viewers can call the helpline on 0800 MA TATOU (0800 628 2868) for advice on how to tune into Māori Television which is available on channel 5 on Freeview; channel 19 on Sky Digital and channel 6 on Sky UHF; and free-to-air on UHF or using a satellite dish and receiver.  Ends