Heights Casino Squash
With over 20 players in the PSA top 100, the NY Squash Pro League showcases and celebrates the wealth of professional squash talent in the greater NYC metropolitan area.
When you need to release some anger, a game of squash at Brooklyn's Heights Casino, NY, is a great solution. When you are ready to take on a new sport, head to club and try your hand at a game of squash. 6 Courts / Private, Members Only - “No other clubhouse in America is quite like the Heights Casino, for it will combine in the heart of the city many of the attractive features of a country club.”The club fields teams in NY Squash leagues, and is home to the Carol Weymuller Open in mid-October, and the David C Johnson Memorial Doubles Tournament in February. Professional doubles started in 1938 at The Heights Casino in Brooklyn, NY. It had a viable tour starting in 1980 with three events located in both the United States as well as Canada. In 2000 the doubles pro tour rebranded itself with the name International Squash Doubles Association.
Heights Casino Brooklyn Squash
Six NYC clubs field squads of both men and women players, drawing from current PSA touring pros such as US #1 Todd Harrity and world #19 Olivia Blatchford-Clyne, to now-retired PSA legends such as Cameron Pilley and Wael El Hindi.
Clubs & Players (new clubs and teams coming this season!)
Division 1
The Harvard Club of New York
Chris Gordon
Marina Stefanoni
Vikram Malhotra
The Heights Casino
Nathan Lake
Haley Mendez
Laurent Elriani
Andrew Douglas
Equinox
Alan Clyne
Olivia Blatchford Clyne
Chris Binnie
Chris Hanson
Division 2
Princeton Club of New York
Heights Casino Squash Club
Todd Harrity
Nicole Bunyan
Joey Roberts
Olivia Fiechter
The New York Athletic Club
Ramit Tandon
Alister Walker
Clinton Leeuw
Kush Kumar
Eastern Athletic Club
Wael El Hindi
Ashraf Adel
Amr Arafa
Emilia Soini
Heights Casino Squash Sexual Assault
Apparently, membership does NOT have its privileges. A local family says their daughters were sexually harassed by three of the club’s squash pros and the Casino did little about it. The NY Post reports, “Julie and Edward Burke claim The Heights Casino on Montague Street, “reluctantly” investigated their allegations, but hid its findings and disciplined no one, according to a petition filed in Brooklyn Supreme Court.” The papers also claim several other families complained to the Casino board.
Laurent Elriani, 42, husband of junior squash program director Linda Elriani allegedly compared the bust sizes of his young charges. Alberto Rezende is said to have openly bragged about engaging in carnal delights within close proximity to Bar Mitzvah guests when the club was “overrun” by children. A third, Fabian Kalaitzis, 43 reportedly flaunted his tinder account in front of young girls.
A spokesperson for the Brooklyn Heights Casino said, “All allegations of misconduct were thoroughly investigated by an independent third party and dealt with accordingly. We view this lawsuit as a baseless attempt to slander the Heights Casino and plan to defend our club vigorously.” The Elriani’s deny the allegations as false and are planning to “clear their good names” with a counter-suit.
For some back story on the historic Flemish Revival building and the club’s less than inclusive past membership practices, check out Chuck Taylor’s archived post from 2012. The blog will post any further details of the case as it develops.