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Queen's Birthday Honours,
June 2010 |
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Jackie Robinson, OBE |
 The
world of Squash is celebrating the announcement that England
Squash & Racketball (ESR) President Jackie Robinson
has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the
Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Formerly a Vice President of the then England Squash, Mrs
Robinson was elected Chairman in 2002, when the organisation
was in severe financial difficulties. Her leadership showed
persistence and tenacity in challenging times and was a key
feature in the recovery that followed. During her tenure,
turnover increased by 25% and staffing levels by over a
third.
She stood down from the board in 2006 after two successful
terms, but continued her involvement when elected President,
a post she still holds.
Jackie's international links with the sport began in the
1970s with her captaincy of the British Universities team -
and in the following decade she became Secretary of the
Women’s Squash Rackets Association.
In addition to her role as ESR President, Jackie Robinson is
Director of the World Squash Federation’s Championships
Committee.
She is also still very active in tennis - as a coach and a
fine player, representing Great Britain as a veteran.
Furthermore, she is a successful charity fundraiser, hosting
her own charity tennis tournament.
"We owe a debt of gratitude to Jackie," said ESR Chief
Executive Nick Rider. "She took the helm during a really
difficult period and with typical fortitude saw us through
to happier times. I’m absolutely delighted for her – this is
richly deserved."
World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran added: "I
am extremely pleased to learn of the award of a very well
deserved OBE to England Squash President Jackie Robinson.
Jackie has served Squash for a long and distinguished time,
starting in the Women's Squash Rackets Federation and then
in the amalgamated Governing Body for England where she
served as Chairman of the Board before becoming President.
"Throughout these years she has also been a great
contributor to and worker for the World Squash Federation.
It is wonderful to see this unstinting voluntary service
being recognised." |
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Carin
recently joined forces with David Palmer OAM, twice
World Open Champion and the top Australian male player for
the past decade, to form the Australian Squash Group
Ltd (ASG).
ASG is a not for profit organisation that aims to promote
and develop Squash through major events, starting with the
2010 NSW Classic (July 16–18) and later this year the
Sydney International Squash Challenge.
The Sydney International Squash Challenge will feature many
top international players including current world number one
Nick Matthew, our own David Palmer, France’ s top player and
former World number one Thierry Lincou and Egypt’s World
number 11 Wael El Hindi. Both events are to be held at the
Thornleigh Sydney Squash Centre.
ASG’s dream is to hold an Australian Squash circuit series
throughout Australia, culminating in a world class event on
an all glass squash court on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour
in front of the Sydney Opera House. |
 Carin
Clonda, a founding member and former chairwoman WISPA
and former Director and CEO of NSW Squash Association, has
been honoured with an Order of the Australia Medal (OAM)
in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The OAM was awarded to Ms Clonda “for service to the sport
of Squash through administrative roles and to the
community”.
Carin has been involved in Squash since the age of 13 and by
17 became the number one Junior Female player in the world.
Carin then joined the world tour, turning professional at
the age of 21. She held her first administrative role in
Squash at the age of 22 as Publicity Officer for the NSW
Women’s Squash Rackets Association.
 Though
Carin’s life reads like a medical dictionary, Bronchiectasis
(a Lung condition), chronic Asthmatic, Spinal Fusion, Tumour
removal, Suppressed Immune System, Pseudomonas infection,
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, one of Carin’s aims in her role as
an Ambassador for the Australian Lung Foundation is living
proof that anyone with an illness can have quality of life
through being active and being positive in managing their
lifestyle.
Carin has represented Australia as both a junior and senior
player, as a member of the 1983 Australian Women’s team that
won the World Team Championships and reaching the semi
finals of the Women’s World Open in 1983. Carin also held an
administrative role for the 2006 Australian Commonwealth
Team.
 Carin’s
personal squash goal this year is to compete at the 2010
World Masters Squash Championships in Germany in August and
win the Women’s Over 45 division – no mean feat when you
consider that as well as her lung disease and immune system
issues, Carin underwent two total hip replacement surgeries
in August and November of 2009.
Carin is seeking support, in the form of sponsorship and
media interest, in her quest to win another world title and
realise her vision to bring a major International Squash
Championship series to Australia. |
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