Daily Racquetball’s Women Crush Wednesday Racquetball Influencers!
AKA Women Making Racquetball History Now!
We will feature another woman making racquetball history every Wednesday. Do you know someone else we should be celebrating with this interview and feature process? Drop us a line on Facebook!
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Name: Chantel Anderson
Are you a pro player, coach, association board member, tournament organizer, or racquetball broadcaster AKA why do racquetball players know you?
Colorado Racquetball Association Board member, student coach, founding member of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) racquetball team. Our team took 2nd place at Nationals (Division 2).
Country of Origin: USA
Place you consider home: Colorado
When & how where you introduced to the competitive side of racquetball?
I was first introduced to the sport in college (CU Boulder). Instantly fell in love with the sport and moved to Colorado Springs to start their University’s team.
Playing hand: Right
Year you started playing racquetball: 2005
First female mentor or idol in racquetball:
Rhonda Rajsich. I had the opportunity to meet her at a Denver pro-stop the first year I started playing. She became a role model and motivation to play competitively.
Favorite racquetball shot: Ha, the one that ends the rally.
Motivation for the game (what keeps you playing):
Continuous improvement. There’s always something to work on, get better at.
Love most about racquetball:
The community. I travel to various locations for work, and can always trust the local racquetball groups will be inviting and
open for a challenge.
Preferred equipment:
Gearbox 165 Teardrop
Favorite event:
Racquet for the Cure, Denver, Colorado. Excellent charity event and promotion for ladies in the sport.
Best results at tournaments you’ve played in:
Alabama State Champion, and Colorado State Champion. I had the opportunity to go to Nationals and made it to quarter finals.
Day job: Analyst
Other sports played in addition to racquetball:
MTB, golf, CrossFit, running
What can we do to activate more female players?
Maintain a supportive community, increase access to clinics and challenge leagues/networks with similar level players. Promote co-ed tournament play when there’s not enough ladies to fill the brackets.
What is your hope for the future of racquetball?
There is an abundant amount of respect and comradery in the sport of racquetball. Here’s to encouraging our next generation of racquetball players to carry on that culture that makes this sport so great.
How do you feel is the best way to help grow the sport of racquetball?
Visibility and Role Models. For tournaments, hire professional photographers and someone dedicated to PR. We get a lot of cool action shots of the pros, but it’s less common to see them on the amateurs. Help the outsiders see just how cool this sport is.
If you could bring one thing back from racquetball past – what would it be and why?
The abundant amount of courts and dedicated racquetball facilities!
What do you do to train?
Cross-training is important (weight-lifting, cardio, mobility), and always try to reserve solo time for drills and foot work.
What is the biggest challenge you face right now as it comes to racquetball, and how do you work to overcome that challenge?
Keeping our facilities! Always seems to be a fight to keep our courts fully dedicated to racquetball. Encourage regular play, more leagues, tournaments, and clinics/intros for new comers.
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Do you know someone else we should be celebrating with this interview and feature process? Drop us a line on Facebook!