A night of glitz and glam at the 2022 Squash Awards

Last night Squash Australia celebrated the best of the best within the squash community at the Squash Australia 2022 Awards night. The night brought together legends of the sport and our rising superstars to celebrate achievements and contributions made by the Squash Australia community. 

Sporting legend Heather McKay, who is ranked amongst the most successful squash players in the history of the sport and is one of Australia’s greatest athletes, was named the recipient of the 2022 Immortal & Greatest Of All Time Award. Unfortunately, McKay was unable to attend, former teammate and fellow squash player Barbara Slotemaker de Bruine accepted the award on her behalf. 

Commonwealth athletes Rachael Grinham and David Palmer were both inducted into the Squash Legends and received the Geoff Hunt and Heather Mckay awards for their major achievements throughout their playing careers.

“To be given the status of a legend amongst all the legends and greats we have had is such an incredible honour. There are so many players I have looked up to throughout my career and to be a part of the same group as them is such an honour,” said Grinham. 

“I’m really happy to be here tonight amongst this group of people. It's amazing. I feel very privileged and honoured to receive this award,” said Palmer. 

Fellow Commonwealth Games Athletes and Mixed Doubles partners, Donna Lobban and Cameron Pilley received the award for Female and Male Players of the Year. Reaching the quarterfinals of the Mixed Doubles competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games was a career-high point for the mixed doubles partners and for the sixth time in the last seven years, Lobban will finish the year as Australia's top-ranked female player. Both athletes were unable to attend due to being overseas competing and training, but they sent a message to thank the squash community.. 

“I want to say I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. Without a doubt, the best moments of my life have been wearing green and gold, especially this year in Birmingham. Birmingham was one of the most special moments for me, just to be a part of it and see Rachel Grinham represent squash and be one of the dual flag bearers,” said Lobban. 

“What an honour and privilege it is to win this award, this award is incredibly special to me. This year has been incredible, making my fourth Commonwealth Games and just being a part of the excitement and buzz never disappoints you. We had an amazing team and a big shout to them and to all my friends, family and the entire squash community,” said Pilley. 

Junior Player of the Year awards went to Erin Classen and Oscar Curtis, two of squash's brightest young talents. 

Classen and Curtis have consistently performed above expectations during their season, with Classen making it into Championships finals and Curtis captaining Australia’s Junior Men’s team at World Championships. Both athletes were unable to attend the awards night due to being away, but they sent video messages as well. 

“I am honoured and very grateful to receive this award, I would like to say congratulations to all the other nominees and good luck to all the juniors at the end of their junior careers. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career,” said Classen. 

“This is a real honour and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in my career so far. This year has been great with a lot of positive experiences where I went to France and competed against the best in the World Junior Championships and represented Australia as team captain,” said Curtis.  

Owners of Coffs Harbour Squash & Swim Centre Peter and Jennifer Saxby were recognised with the Club of the Year award for their successful participation programmes, which bring in new members to the sport and help their existing membership grow. Their dedication to helping the community as a whole by collaborating with organisations like local businesses, nonprofits and disability services set them apart from the rest. 

“It’s nice to get an appreciation for all the work and effort our family and supporters put into the club. We really enjoy the feedback we get about the club, so it’s a big thanks to everyone really,” said Peter Saxby. 

“Our programmes have been so successful because we have a big focus on the juniors, as they are at a young age, [it’s important] getting them to have fun and enjoy the introduction to squash and build it up from there.”

“It’s surprising how the juniors that start in our Squashies program may not know each other at the start, but after one term they have made new friendships and it’s wonderful to see them grow.”

The Spirit of Squash Award went to Jenny and Liz Irving, the embodiment of the proverb ‘like mother like daughter’ and the only mother and daughter duo to have reached the British Open finals. The two also achieved a World ranking of no.2 and remained highly involved in the sport following their playing careers.  

“Firstly, receiving this award was rather overwhelming, but for me it means a beautiful acknowledgment of what I know my mother has achieved and the similar things we have achieved. I’m really proud to have received this award and share it with my mum,” said Liz Irving. 

“I too was quite overwhelmed, but I’m so proud of what Liz has done throughout her squash career. I have got such lovely memories of what I have done in the past and it is something I will never forget,” said Jenny Irving. 

Squash Australia CEO Robert Donaghue congratulated all award winners and said it was fantastic to gather the squash community for a great celebration of the sport and the representation of 2022. 

“Tonight was such an awesome night to get everyone back together in one room and celebrate the last three years. It was an amazing opportunity to have the whole community together and celebrate those who give so much to the sport,” said Donaghue. 

2022 SQUASH AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNERS

SERVICE AWARDS

Paul Vear Administrator of the Year- Kane Fasolo 

Ted Barlow State/Territory of the Year - Squash and Racquetball Victoria

Volunteer of the Year - John Payne

Club of the Year - Coffs Harbour Squash & Swim Centre 

Court Owner of the Year - Brad Hindle

Masters Player of the Year - Brian Cook 

Beverley Gould Service to Juniors Award - Rita Paulos & Robyn Prentice

David Donelly Referee Award - Russell Weatherburn

Keith Walker Coach Award - Nathan Turnbull 

Innovator Award - Ken Watson 

Chris Robertson Junior Player of the Year male - Oscar Curtis 

Sarah Fitz-Gerald Junior Player of the Year female - Erin Classen

David Palmer Player of the Year male - Cameron Pilley 

Michelle Martin Player of the Year female - Donna Lobban 

HALL OF FAME AWARDS

General Members - Bert Armstrong, Colin Clapper, Dean Williams

Spirit of Squash Award - Jenny & Liz Irving 

Heather McKay Award - Rachael Grinham 

Geoff Hunt Award - David Palmer

Members - Jenny Irving, Marion Jackman, Brett Martin

Women's Teams 1964-1967. Heather Blundell, Jenny Irving, Pat McClenaughan, Barbara Baxter, Helen Plaisted, Marion Hawcroft.

Men's Team 1967-1971. Dick Carter, Ken Hiscoe, Geoff Hunt, Cam Nancarrow

Legends - Chris Dittmar, Rachael Grinham, David Palmer 

Immortals - Geoff Hunt, Heather McKay 

G.O.A.T. Award - Heather McKay, Greatest female squash player in Australia