Central Squash proudly celebrated 60 years of squash across the Central district on Saturday, 22 November, bringing together past and present members at Heritage House in Whanganui. The Central district is one of the largest of New Zealand’s 11 squash regions, stretching from Waitara to Levin and supporting 23 clubs across the region.

The evening acknowledged the strength, history, and growth of squash in Central, with Dame Susan Devoy as guest speaker and Grant Smith, former Central President and current Palmerston North Mayor, among the honoured attendees. Alongside the jubilee celebrations, the night featured the annual Central Squash Awards, plus a Hall of Fame induction recognising significant service to the sport.

From refereeing and coaching to player performance and club leadership, award recipients showcased the depth of talent and commitment throughout Central. Clubs from Ohakune, Kawaroa Park, Waitara, Inglewood, Okato, Tararua, New Plymouth and Whanganui were all represented among the winners, highlighting the district’s strong development at both community and competitive levels.

A standout success story of the season was the Central Junior Boys Team, winners of the Team of the Year, after claiming the New Zealand Junior National Team title. Individuals within the same group also shone across multiple categories, reflecting both player achievement and strong coaching support throughout the region.

A highlight of the evening was the induction of Mike Jack (Kawaroa Park, New Plymouth) as the 14th member of the Central Squash Hall of Fame. Mike has contributed over 35 years of service, including significant impact at club and district levels, and was also recognised for his international refereeing representation for New Zealand in 2023.

Central Squash extends warm congratulations to all award winners and to Hall of Fame inductee Mike Jack. The celebration reflected not just excellence on court, but the volunteers, administrators, referees, and coaches who ensure squash continues to thrive in every corner of the district.

Here’s to the next 60 years of squash in Central.