At the recent AGM, we are delighted to have been able to announce a number of awards. See details below:
Barry Anderson Junior Award
Awarded to George Salisbury, who started playing squash aged 6. He really enjoys his squash and as he regularly attends the club to play squash during his lunch break from Ecclesbourne School. He has attended Saturday club and after school squash sessions and is now attending Club night on Friday evenings, coming along with his father and his brother when he can.
George plays well in the Derbyshire Junior Grand Prix’s and came runner up in the Derbyshire u13 boys championships.
He is attending Derbyshire Squash training and has been selected to play in the u13s county team.
George now feels confident enough to enter the East Midlands Regional event and will develop into a stronger player as he grows older. He always has a smile on his face and is ever committed to his game.
Hannah Ager Junior Merit Award
Gabriel Wiseman, aged 10, started playing squash aged 8 after being encouraged to play by his grandad. He has attended Saturday club, after school and holiday sessions frequently, and is now joining in on Club nights.
Gabriel really enjoys his squash, he is a logical thinker who enjoys the strategic side of the game as well as the fitness side. He is easy going with a good sense of humor. Additionally, he has been asked to attend Derbyshire Squash training in order to be selected for the U13s team.
Lesley Sturgess Junior Volunteer of the Year Award
Max Gilbert started playing squash at 8 years old, firstly at Saturday afternoon club with Lesley Sturgess, and with a little persuasion, he entered the Derbyshire Squash Grand Prix’s for a number of years. With even more persuasion he represented Derbyshire u11 and u13 at County level, which is where the persuading stopped working.
We worked out that he enjoys the social side of squash over the competitive side, as well as committing a large part of his spare time to improving his Xbox skills.
For a long time he continued with Saturday club, and when that came to a natural end he moved over to playing squash socially with his dad and other club members on a Saturday afternoon. He particularly enjoys the yearly unofficial club do with his dad and other club members – Saturday afternoon squash, followed by six nations rugby and a curry delivered from the Viceroy. His dad appreciates the effort that Max gives getting him on the bus home.
As part of his GCSE Sports science and Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, he chose squash, in which he helped Lesley coach junior club members during the year. He organised his own travel arrangements, usually taking the bus.
He hopes to continue improving playing squash, and is looking forward to playing in the men’s team matches this year.
Roy Squires Club Player of the Season Award
A joint award for high achievements: – 8 out of 8, 1st team wins and 10 out of 10, 8th team victories – Kyle McBride and Dean Gregory.
The Thompson Salver Award
Awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the club on a voluntary basis. Consideration went to a number of people, who were given a special mention: Stuart McLean, Vic Malysz, Matt Britten, Pete Mayes who is tennis secretary but has given a sterling service as Social Secretary, and for their part of the Social Committee, John Shoesmith and Dorothy Nicholls.
One person stood out for his remarkable efforts both on and off court and as Team Manager for the Club’s PSL team, the Thompson Salver Award went to Felix Frixou.
Pesentation for Roy Squires
A presentation was given to Roy Squires thanking him for his services to the club. Roy has been involved with the club for over 40 years and has recently stepped down from his role as Club Treasurer.
Roy responded with an acceptance noting that he joined the club in 1973 after having been on the waiting list since 1971. He applied to join the Social committee after the Halloween party in 1972 and took the leading role in organising the Summer Ball on Eyes Meadow, which the club organised in conjunction with other local organisations.
In 1973, Roy joined the Bar Committee and became Treasurer in 1992. During his tenure, he has seen 2 Presidents, 3 Chairman, 2 Bar Managers, 2 PSL Managers, 1 Membership Secretary and numerous Club Secretaries.