Henley Squash Club celebrate a proactive and successful 2024 and look forward to further growth in 2025
Henley Squash Club has enjoyed another successful year with several highlights involving the full range of the club’s activities.
The teams continued to play in the Oxfordshire and Berkshire County leagues with some notable team and individual successes. The 1st team, captained by Harry Carr, won the Oxfordshire County 1st Division 2024 Summer Season league; whilst the 2nd team, captained by Steve Danc, gained promotion from Division 4 to Division 3 in the Oxfordshire County Winter 1 (September to December) season. In addition, a Veterans team (over 45 years), captained by Richard Little enjoyed playing in the Berkshire veterans league, maintaining a steady league position.
Individually Jill Campion had an outstanding year including winning her age group at the Welsh Closed, British and European open Masters Squash tournament as well as the prestigious Rac Vintage Squash tournament. Not content with personal success Jill, in collaboration with Kate Murley of GLL/Better (who run the Gillotts Sports Centre), Jill has hosted several sessions specifically targeted at encouraging women’s squash. Further sessions are planned for the new year.
During the year in addition to running an open to all Friday evening “club night” session, the club ran monthly internal leagues with players being promoted or demoted each month depending on their level of success. On top of running the monthly leagues, club secretary Duncan Nightingale also managed a club internal handicap tournament which was won by Barry Carson after a hard-fought match against James Rowson in the final. The Plate competition was won by Peter Rivers, whilst the 2nd and 3rd Plate Competitions were won by James Mortimer and Alistair Robbie respectively. During the year the club ran a weekly junior section, coached and managed by Paul Nieduszynski and Adam Edge. In addition, starting in September the club, led by Jim Reay, initiated a partnership with Gillott’s school to offer the opportunity to all of the school’s pupils to play squash. So far over 300 pupils have been able to have introductory sessions from qualified coaches Brad Murray and Adam Edge, and a lunch time club has been started. It is anticipated that in 2025 an additional 200 pupils will be offered introductory sessions and extra after school sessions are being planned, based on the levels of interest shown so far.
The club has greatly benefited from a range of local company and individual financial supporters including, Zzoomm Invesco, Mercers Solicitors , TMS3, GLL/Better ,and Oxfordshire Squash Racquets Association as well as personal financial support from club member Tom Moore. This support has enabled the club to not only represent the town of Henley in various team and individual competitions but also increase its activities especially seeking to introduce the game of squash to new members young and old alike. The club would welcome any additional supporters or sponsors so that it can continue to promote squash in the Henley area.
Henley Squash is an inclusive club and squash is a game for all ages, as well as being included in the 2028 Olympic games.
Steve Dance
Chairman Henley Squash Club
