Henley celebrate year of titles, promotions and cups

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 first team, captained by Harry Carr won the Oxfordshire Division 1 summer season league whilst the second team, captained by Steve Dance gained promotion from Division 4 to Division 3, in the Oxfordshire Winter League season that ran from September to December.

In addition, a veteran team (over 45 years), captained by Richard Little, maintained a steady league position in the Berkshire veteran league. Individually, Jill Campion had an outstanding year including winning her age group at the Welsh Closed, British and European open Masters tournament as well as the Rac Vintage Squash tournament.

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 second and third plate competitions were won by James Mortimer and Alistair Robbie respectively.

The club also 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 Gillotts school to offer the opportunity to all of the school’s pupils to play squash. So far more than 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 afterschool sessions are being planned, based on the levels of interest shown so far. The club has 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 welcome any additional supporters or sponsors so that it can continue to promote squash in the Henley area.