Heather McKay

31st July 2007 Happy Birthday Heather	Excellent Profile "Best of all time" online vote
Australian and world squash legend Heather McKay, MBE, turns 66 today. McKay was born in Queanbeyan in 1941 and went on to become the greatest women's player the world has ever seen. From the Squash Australia Hall of Fame entry:
Heather's dominance in women’s squash is a matter of historical record, winning 16 consecutive British Opens from 1962 to 1977 - an absolutely incredible feat - and 14 straight Australian Amateur Championships from 1960 to 1973. Neither of these successes have been equalled or surpassed. In another amazing statistic, Heather lost only two matches in her entire career – in 1960 and 1962 - and was unbeaten in competitive squash matches from 1962 to 1981 when she retired from active open squash. In 1976 Heather won the first but unofficial World Women’s Open held in Australia and went on to win the first official Open in 1979 in England. Heather continued on in competitive squash at international Masters level winning four World Championships in 1987(45), 1990(45), 1993(50) and 1995(50).
The Australian public has acknowledged Heather’s significant contribution to Australian sport with Heather being inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame as a “Legend”. She is also a member of the World Squash Federation and WISPA Hall of Fame. Heather’s dedication and performance in sport has been recognised by the Australian Government by her being awarded the decorations of the Member of the British Empire (MBE) and the Australian Medal (AM)."

Chronology

1960 - 1973 Winner of the Australian Amateur Championships
1961 - 1973 Winner of New South Wales Championships
1961 - 1973 Winner of Victorian Championships
1962 - 1977 Winner of the British Open Championships
1965 Married Brian H McKay
1967 Awarded ABC Sportsman of the Year
1969 Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
1976 Winner of the World Squash Championship
1977 Winner of the American Championship
1979 Winner of the American Amateur Racquetball Championship
1979 Winner of the World Squash Championship
1979 Awarded Member of the Order of Australia
1980 Winner of the Canadian Racquetball Championship
1980 - 1981 Winner of the American Professional Racquetball Champs
1982 - 1985 Winner of the Canadian Racquetball Championships
1984 Winner of the American Professional Racquetball Championship
1985 - 1998 Squash Coach with the Australian Institute of Sport
1999 - Inducted into the WISPA Hall of Fame
2000 Awarded the Australian Sports Medal
2005 Inducted into the Squash Australia Hall of Fame
2006 Winner of Australian Tennis, 65 years singles

Heather joins Janet Shardlow and Susan Devoy as the first members of WISPA's Hall of Fame in 1999




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