Other InformationWarwickshire Squash Rackets Association was formed in the 1930's and is the governing body of the Sport in the "Heart of England". In terms of the number of clubs it is a medium to large sized County Association and as such has contested top Divisions of both Men's and Ladies Inter County Leagues. Its main purpose is to provide localized encouragement of the game by organizing a competitive structure through the Warwickshire Squash League and to organize representative County sides. More recently the England Squash has filtered funds down to Warwickshire and thorough our Development Officer Mo Sarwar has established a strong junior squad and brought junior squash to Clubs through the England Squash/Lottery/Sport England TOP Squash and other programmes. Personalities: Notable Warwickshire Players of Recent years include Robert Owen, a British Open Quarter finalist, Darren Bradbury the 2000 winner of the British Open Over 35 title and Clive Leach. There are some Warwickshire players of more mature years who have competed at the highest level including Tony Breakwell and Stan Biffin. On the Ladies side pride of place goes to Sue Cogswell a British Open Finalist, and Bobs Whitehead (County Closed; 10 years) Jayne Ashton (8 years). For the future we look to talent of Emma Beddoes and Adam Terheege both highly ranked juniors. Like all Counties we have needed administrators and are proud to have an England Squash Vice President in Jackie Robinson and a recipient of the West Midlands Volunteer award for 2001 in Hazel Astling. In the past when Squash was more popular A d'Arcy Hughes, Don Williams, John Shaw and even M.J.K. Smith (of cricket note) have been members the County Committee. Clubs The County is proud to have in it borders one of the most prestigious Clubs in the Country in Edgbaston Priory who last year won the National Squash League Title and the venue of the British Open before it moved to the more public stadium of Birmingham's National Indoor Arena. This will be home for the Eye Group Open for a further 4 years at least. Priory compete strongly in the County League but are regularly acceded by Coventry & North Warks and Leamington. Two commercial Clubs attempting to take the top honours are L.A. Fitness (Warwick ) and Ardencote Manor Hotel.
Warwickshire as a County is committed to the new affiliation system proposed by the England Squash and is represented on the National Council. We have an Equal Opportunity and Child Protection policies in place. |