Chase Holowachuk

Start in racquetball: After quitting hockey, my parents told me I needed to play a sport during the winter. They recommend racquetball to me because they went to school with Jen Saunders. After doing my first lessons and tournament I was sold on the sport.

Reason for playing: I love the community that surrounds the sport, it’s a small group of people but we all support each other. You are able to make friends across the whole country. Even when I moved from Winnipeg to Windsor I was welcomed by everyone. The best part is that everyone wants you to get better, the community makes me a better person and player.

Training habits: I try to train 2-3 times a week with Terry Nelson, working out a couple times a week too. I try to use baseball and racquetball to help keep me fit through the whole year. Keeping a balance between both sports can be really difficult so I try to practice both sports at the same time but before a tournament I will focus more on one sport.

Best racquetball memory: My best moment is representing Canada at the 2024 Junior World Championships, It was a huge honour to wear the maple leaf. I will remember that experience for the rest on my life.

Non-racquetball talents: I can juggle, I learned during my grade 12 Kinesiology class.

If I’m not playing racquetball: playing baseball!

A fact about me that most people don’t know: I am bilingual. Speaking English and French

My advice for other athletes: HAVE FUN. If you aren’t having fun you won’t enjoy the sport, you will burn out. Soak in the experiences, learn from wins and losses. A positive mindset goes a long way in this sport, it took me 10 years and a lot of help to get where I am mentally and I still have so much to improve on. It shouldn’t matter if you are playing the best or worst game in your life, you have to SMILE 🙂

Who has been important in my development? I credit all of my early development to Even Pritchard, he got me involved in the sport and taught me the basics. Terry Nelson in the coach who got me to the next level, he improved my whole game from skill to mentality. My parents have also been the biggest contributor. Buying all my equipment, tournament registrations, hotel rooms, and food. Being driven to practices and tournaments with my Mom and Dad are lots of my memories, they have supported me since Day 1. Without these four people and the whole racquetball community I wouldn’t be the person or athlete I am. Thank you.