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Ian Wright, 1933 - 2009 |
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22-Jan-09:
AMAZING SEND-OFF FOR IAN WRIGHT, THE SQUASH ADMINISTRATOR
EXTRAORDINAIRE
By ALAN THATCHER
The world of squash bade farewell yesterday to Ian Wright, one of
the most respected administrators in the history of the sport.
More than 300 mourners packed into the Hither Green Crematorium in
South London for a service of thanksgiving, and then reconvened just
a few miles away afterwards at Ian's beloved Bexley Tennis, Squash
and
Racketball Club.
Friends from far and wide gathered to pay their tributes and last
respects to a man who served as Kent county secretary for more than
40 years, and who invented the British version of racketball.
Tears and laughter were in equal measure during the service of
thanksgiving, presided over with grace and humour by the Rev Steve
Browning. Club president Neil Badger delivered a word-perfect
reading before welcoming everyone back to the Bexley club.
Ian's daughter Dee courageously spoke with love, warmth and humour
about the man who was a beloved Dad to her and sister Sally. Dee
regaled the gathering with tales of Ian's little idiosyncrasies, and
especially a dress sense that had little in common with the family's
tailoring business.
Neil Badger spoke again, as a lifelong friend and club colleague who
worked with Ian on transforming the Bexley club with a superb new
pavilion that included two extra squash courts. Sadly, it was on one
of those courts that Ian passed away, suffering a heart attack on
January 4 as he played the game he loved and surrounded by friends.
Yesterday that same court was filled with photographs and
memorabilia from Ian's life, including his travels (he was in the
Guinness Book of Records for being one of a handful of people to
have visited 192 countries in the world), his RAF career and his
achievements in sports.
Ian's life story was contained within the four walls of that court
(walls that he insisted the builders remove at first when he
discovered that they had used the wrong breeze blocks) and fittingly
a book of condolence was placed in the centre of the court for
visitors to add their personal messages.
Club manager Nick Eagles was almost overcome with emotion as he
thanked the group of members who had worked so hard to prepare the
club for such a moving but joyous occasion.
I was delighted to speak on behalf of the Kent SRA and to announce
that England Squash will be naming the National Racketball
Championship trophies for men and women in his honour. The Kent SRA
plans to do inaugurate a similar honour for the county championships
in both squash and racketball.
Out of such gatherings great things can emerge as friends swap
stories and hatch plans to remember someone who gave so much to the
sports he loved.
One such conversation resulted in the launch of an annual fixture in
Ian's honour between the Veterans' Club of Great Britain and the
Kent Vets, the fixture including, of course, both squash and
racketball.
As daughters Sally and Dee both remarked, Ian would have thoroughly
enjoyed himself yesterday, laughing and smiling with so many
friends. It's such a shame he couldn't be there. He would have loved
it.
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WORLD OF SQUASH MOURNS
LOYAL SERVANT IAN WRIGHT
It is with utter shock, deep regret and the most profound sorrow
that I convey the news of the tragic death of long-serving squash
administrator Ian Wright. It is believed that Ian suffered a heart
attack while playing racketball at his beloved Bexley club last
night (Sunday January 4th).
Ian had been secretary of the Kent Squash and Racketball Association
for more than 40 years, and just a few short months ago a special
presentation evening was held in his honour to celebrate that
particular milestone of momentous service to the sport he loved and
helped to nurture in this county. Friends from throughout the world
of squash gathered to salute his enormous contribution to the game.
As well as his roles as county secretary and treasurer of the Kent
Squash and Racketball Association, Ian was also a long-serving
member of the England Squash Council and had been the national
governing body's official archivist for many years. He was also
heavily involved with Kent tennis and was the driving force behind
many of the improvements at the Bexley Tennis and Squash Club in
recent years, including the building of a magnificent new pavilion
which replaced the charming wooden structure which served the club
faithfully for so long, just like Ian.
At the age of 75, Ian was still playing competitive racketball,
having been National Over-70s champion two years ago.
Over the past few days I have been liaising with Ian via email about
the forthcoming Kent County Closed. In his last email, sent on
Saturday, Ian wrote: "I will see you at the Kent SRA meeting on
Monday 19th January when I hope you can give me the County results
in full with scores, please, for the Kent handbook. If my tennis
commitments are cancelled I will go to Mote on the Sunday."
That was typical of Ian, juggling his commitments to both squash and
tennis. Sadly, I won't be able to buy him a coffee at The Mote and
have a chat about the many projects we are developing to enhance
Kent squash.
One thing is for sure: It will take a team of volunteers to take
over the multi-faceted roles he performed so smoothly and so
professionally.
He will be sadly missed by his many friends in sport and our deepest
sympathy goes to his widow Judy and the rest of the family.
Chairman, Kent SRA |
 TRIBUTE FROM
ENGLAND SQUASH
The sadness in our office this morning when we heard the news of
Ian's passing was felt by all.
It's a mark of his contribution and commitment to squash and
racketball over such a long period that everyone here knew him and
admired Ian.
Indeed, his unfailing courtesy and his sense of humour, that he
retained even in the most trying of circumstances, made it
impossible not to like him.
His dedication - at so many levels and in so many ways - to the
sports he loved will always be remembered by all those who knew him,
and the impact of his work and felt by many more who didn't.
We will miss him.
Chief Executive,
England Squash |
The European
Squash Federation was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the
sudden death of Ian Wright.
Ian had a long association with the European Squash Federation,
acting as Custodian of Records from 1977 (shortly after the European
Squash Rackets Federation, as it was at that time, was founded in
1973), combining this with the role of Secretary from 1979 to 1997
and the role of Treasurer from 1993 to 1996. In 1997, in recognition
of his valued contributions and commitment to the organisation and
also in recognition of his contribution to squash generally, Ian was
awarded the status of Honorary Member of the European Squash
Federation.
No-one could fail to be impressed by his dedication to squash and he
will be missed by us all.
Our thoughts are with his family.
President, European Squash Federation
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