Legends, volunteers, juniors and stalwarts honoured at Gala Dinner

The Squash Australian Open Gala Dinner was held on Monday 10 March at Brisbane’s Rydges South Bank Hotel where legends of the game were recognised along with some of the country’s leading players, officials and volunteers.

Coinciding with the PSA Squash Tour Gold event being staged from tomorrow in Brisbane, the PSA last night inducted Michelle Martin and Geoff Hunt into its Hall of Fame.

"It's an absolute honour," said Martin. "To have played sport for your life and get the recognition for something you've achieved and worked hard for is fantastic.

It's such an honour to be recognised amongst some of the best in the world; it's a very tough sport but an absolute joy and privilege."

Hunt’s recognition comes just a few months after being elevated to Legend status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

“It's very special [to be inducted into the Hall of Fame] because it's an organisation that I started with other top professionals,” he said. “Now to see where it has gone over the years and the way squash has been presented to the world such as through SQUASHTV is really special.

“It's been fabulous to see the development of it.”

Squash Australia’s Annual Awards were also presented with Western Australia one of the big winners on the night.

Squash WA collected the Ted Barlow State of the Year Award while it was also presented with the Innovators Award for developing an initiative to track and encourage junior participation.

Perth club Belmont Saints won Club of the Year with members Lyn and Russell Chandler sharing the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Squash WA General Manager Leigh Kaye accepted the award on the Chandlers behalf and paid tribute to their contribution over many years.

“They’re two for the price of one!” said Kaye. “They run the junior program at their club, they’re part of their pennants, they’re part of the league.

“They have so much knowledge and history within the sport that they’re happy to do anything for anyone - it’s not just us at Squash WA.

“They will help anybody - players, juniors, state, the national body if they asked. They’re just awesome people, they’re amazing.”

Distinguished Service Awards were presented to a pair of individuals who have enhanced the game for more than half a century.

Peter Wright has been involved in the sport for more than 60 years, 39 of those serving as President of the Australian Masters Squash Association of which he was a driving force behind its inception.

At 80 years of age, Robyn Prentice has not slowed down. A former professional player, she continues be a dedicated and successful coach, inspiring players through her Squash 4 Life Academy.

“I’m quite humbled by the fact that they’ve recognised my work,” she said. “It’s been a long haul for me in squash as a player, as a coach.

“A lot of that coaching over the years as been the passion, it’s the love of the game so it’s been a big part of my life.”

Betty Meagher was posthumously inducted into the Squash Australia Hall of Fame. Her leadership and dedication were instrumental in the growth and recognition of women’s squash in Australia, and it was fitting that someone who walked in Betty’s footsteps - Sarah Fitz-Gerald - was on hand to accept the award.

Marc Foster received the Beverley Gould Services to Squash Award for his tireless work in grassroots programs and dedication to mentoring young athletes in Queensland.

Squash South Australia’s Deb van Zon received the Paul Vear Administrator of the Year Award for her pivotal role in growing the sport through digital engagement, sponsorship and competition management.

Jess van der Walt and Joseph White were the recipients of the Player of the Year Awards, while the Junior Player of the Year Awards went to Sarbani Maitra and Thomas Scott.

Rohan Toole collected the Keith Walker Coach Award while Nathan Turnbull won the David Donnelly Referee of the Year and reflected on a busy 12 months which included the World Series Finals in Seattle and the World Teams Championship in Hong Kong.

“It was the first time men’s and women’s have been together [at the World Teams Championship] and it’s probably my favourite event I’ve ever been to,” said Turnbull. “The atmosphere of the matches, there’s always a crowd because you’ve got your teammates there supporting each other so there’s always something happening.

“The matches are always high intensity; it doesn’t matter if you’re playing off for first and second or they’re playing off for 33rd, they were always really tight matches and everyone was fighting for their little place of history.”

Geoff Davenport won the Masters Player of the Year Award after winning his seventh World Title in 2024.

Squash Australia President Matt Schmidt said the night was a fantastic recognition of both individual achievement and the positive direction the game is headed.

“I’m just really proud of the squash community,”said Schmidt. “It’s a great sport, a small sport but everyone’s got a squash story.

“Having people in the room and acknowledging their work as volunteers, or acknowledging some significant achievements has been really important.

“Hearing some legends our sport, Geoff Hunt and Michelle Martin - it’s just great that they’re getting recognition for the work that they’ve done.”

2025 SQUASH AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNERS

SERVICE AWARDS
Distinguished Service Award - Peter Wright (VIC)
Distinguished Service Award - Robyn Prentice (QLD)
Beverley Gould Service to Juniors Award - Marc Foster (QLD)
Volunteer of the Year - Lyn & Russell Chandler (WA)
Paul Vear Administrator of the Year - Deb van Zon (SA)
Club of the Year - Belmont Saints (WA)
Ted Barlow State/Territory of the Year - Squash WA
Innovators Award - Squash WA

SPORT AWARDS
Michelle Martin Female Player of the Year - Jess van der Walt (QLD)
David Palmer Male Player of the Year - Joseph White (NT)
Sarah Fitz-Gerald Junior Female Player of the Year - Sarbani Maitra (QLD)
Chris Robertson Junior Male Player of the Year - Thomas Scott (NSW)
Masters Player of the Year - Geoff Davenport (NSW)
Keith Walker Coach Award - Rohan Toole (NSW)
David Donnelly Referee Award - Nathan Turnbull (NSW)

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
General Member - Betty Meagher (posthumous)