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30-Dec-07:
John White - MBE for 'Services to Squash'
joins Cassie
Jackman and Peter Nicol in squash's honours club ... |
John White had been recognised in 2000
for his ‘Services to Squash’ by England Squash when he was the
recipient of the ‘Dick Hawkey Award’. Now, much to his great delight
and surprise, he has been honoured with a
MBE. This is a rich reward, for which he feels indebted to
his family, particularly his wife Pauline, for their support which
has enabled him to devote over 40 years of his life to the game.
Early Days
He first played at Birmingham when compelled, as part of the
University curriculum, to participate in some form of physical
activity. With a background of County tennis he enjoyed immediate
success on court winning the Birmingham and UAU [English
Universities] Championships and UAU representation. Significantly he
also became involved in the game’s administration. He progressively
became Treasurer, Secretary and Captain of the University team.
National Service followed with a short service commission in the
Royal Navy and with it the Secretary-ship and Captaincy of the RN
Squash Team. The Navy Championship came his way 3 times and also
representation and Captaincy of the Combined Services Team. On
leaving the Navy in 1964 he returned to Derbyshire and almost
immediately became Secretary of the Duffield Squash Club, having
originally joined the Club in 1957 along with his wife and another
Club stalwart – the late Clive Wildsmith.
Duffield & Derby
John’s principle contribution has been in providing the village of
Duffield, its surroundings and Derby with a prestigious and
nationally recognised squash club. John became Honorary Secretary of
the Club in 1965, then a wooden club house with a single court and
now a substantial five court, multi-function facility. The Club has
this year been awarded a Gold Charter from ‘England Squash’ for its
facilities and squash infrastructure, including coaching and
attracting new squash players. The Club is owned by its membership,
available for anyone to join and is a non-profit making organisation
providing valuable and unique recreational and social facilities for
its members and community at large.
In 1972 John, ably assisted by Clive, persuaded the committee to
build a second squash court and brick pavilion. After many meetings
and compromises with the planning authority, which had refused
numerous previous applications, permission was granted when John
persuaded to a developer to agree to joint access to the Club.
In 1979 the Club underwent its first major development comprising
two additional courts, changing facilities, a large bar and social
area, kitchens and committee / function room. This development began
with John conducting a feasibility study on his own initiative and
presenting this to the full committee for approval. Once he had
convinced them of his vision, he began fund raising which included
devising innovative incentives for lenders and donors. Hundreds of
letters, meetings and phone calls later sufficient money had been
promised, which enabled architectural plans to be drawn up to John’s
exacting specifications and planning consent sought. After many on
site battles with the planners and with a sympathetic eye on the
impact to the immediate community, construction began in 1973 and
the project was finished by furnishing the clubhouse in 1979. John
not only oversaw all aspects of this development, but would spend
much of his time away from his dental practice painting and
decorating the clubhouse, again in an effort to minimise costs
otherwise borne by the current and future members.
Never one to stand still, John’s vision continued to look to the
future and in 1990 the Club underwent a £200,000 redevelopment where
the clubhouse was completely demolished; leaving only the four
existing courts standing. A fifth exhibition court was built and has
a glass-back wall, seating for 60 and standing room for a further 40
spectators. This major redevelopment enables the Club to host
England Squash tournaments and to compete for a remarkable 15 years
in the English Premier Squash League, culminating in a second title
last season. Along with the exhibition court, new changing rooms
having saunas, club shop, games room, dining room and extensive
kitchens were built. An impressive bar and lounge area being
provided at the heart of the club gives easy access to the spectator
galleries of all the courts. Again John was this redevelopment’s
main driving force taking on the same role as the 1974 development
and he employ his same fund-raising and visionary skills to complete
this even greater task. This time the project was much harder as the
membership already had good facilities, yet despite un-progressive
inertia the membership was wowed by the finished product – an
extensive five court first class squash facility.
In 1994 a fitness suite was provided for members of the Club and
available to the village community at large. Not only did John
instigate and manage the project, but he carefully researched,
selected and configured the equipment to be equally useful to top
squash players and non-sports playing people. The fitness suite has
grown from strength to strength and provides an invaluable source of
extra income for the Club.
John’s decisive leadership has produced a focused, organisational
infrastructure within the Club and County, which has enabled current
Officials to undertake specific roles efficiently and in a
coordinated manner. John’s contribution and his motivation remain
inspiring to any volunteer.
John has also been the Derbyshire Squash Racquet Association’s
Secretary for 17 years as well as captaining and organising the
County Representative Teams for 30 years. As Secretary he was a
pivotal figure in the launch of the Derbyshire County Leagues, the
development of Marking and Refereeing, the introduction of the
County handbook, the rolling out of coaching and putting the DSRA on
a sound financial footing. He also qualified as a Marker and
Referee, was appointed a Panel Tutor running numerous courses in the
Midlands. He also qualified as a Coach but opted to leave this side
of the game to his wife. With the Club being a founder member of the
Midland League he served on their Committee for several years before
eventually becoming Chairman.
Duffield Today
The Club is a focal point for hundreds of juniors each year,
primarily from the three local schools both during and outside
school hours. The vibrancy of the Club has enthused many of the
juniors to participate in a competitive sport of their own choosing.
Recently Ecclesbourne School were National U15 Champions and three
of the pupils are / have been National Junior Champions.
The development of this village Club by John, has given it the
capability and infrastructure to become nationally recognised as one
of the Country’s leading clubs. The Club boasts some 400 senior and
300 junior members, one of the highest membership densities per
court of any squash club in the country.
In senior squash the Club has thrice won and are current Champions
of the Premier Squash League; boasting two England No.1s Nick
Matthew and Tania Bailey in the team. Another notable former player,
recently retired, is World No. 1 Cassie Jackman MBE. Although not
the strongest team on paper, the Club’s success in part comes from
the passion of their supporters and the ambience of the Club which
motivates these top players to produce their very best and ensures
their desire to return to the Club each year.
Under John the Club has also produced Laura Hill current England No
7, Paul Hargrave England No 12, Lesley Sturgess the National O45
Champion and John’s wife Pauline who was Captain of Great Britain in
the ‘60s. John’s son Kevin is Derbyshire County Chairman and Captain
of the England Over 35 Team. The Club can also boast a number of
junior National Champions including Millie Tomlinson the U15
Champion.
Although these elite squash standards are admirable in themselves,
they have given to all ordinary standard members of the Club as well
as the local community something special to be proud of and which
has inspired so many.
John was awarded honorary life membership of the Club in 1998 and
the Exhibition Court has been dedicated to him and his wife Pauline
for their contribution to the Club and squash in general throughout
Derbyshire. However, his efforts in running and developing the Club
have had relatively little public acclaim despite his monumental
commitment.
John has been the instigator and driving force behind all the
developments at the Club. He has been single minded in achieving the
objective of continued Club development, despite substantial
financial obstacles and scepticism. His ingenuity and
resourcefulness in generating sufficient funds to develop the Club
have been without parallel. There are no doubters now as to John’s
foresight in securing the future health of the Club and the benefits
to Duffield and surrounding community.
John’s voluntary work has enabled the Club to maintain a healthy
financial position so to be able to organically grow, fulfilling the
needs of the community, whilst keeping the cost of playing squash to
amongst the lowest in the country. |
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"I am indeed extremely
grateful and highly flattered to receive this honour. One dreams of
achieving many things and I am lucky enough to have managed one or
two, but this had never ever crossed my mind! It came completely out
of the blue.
"I consider this honour to be for both me and Pauline – as her
contribution to ‘services to squash’ have been just as great if not
more so than mine.
"We have been totally supportive of each other, and I include Clive
Wildsmith here, in our work for the Club since all three of us
joined in 1957.
"I still find it difficult to believe; it is amazing that this
should have happened and I am deeply appreciative and grateful to
all those who had a part in nominating me for this honour."
And still playing
John may compete for his last time in the National over 70s
Championship early in 2008, but his former playing days saw him win
the Royal Navy Championship, 13 Derbyshire Men’s and 11 Veterans
Titles and become National Over 45 Champion.
He also represented England at several age groups. Under John’s
captaincy Duffield SC has won 30+ Derbyshire County Men’s and Lady’s
Titles.
John has not only led the Club by his outstanding off court efforts,
but by his exemplary standards of sportsmanship and unparalleled
will to succeed on court. This is an ethos which he has instilled in
the very fabric of the Club and those who represent it.
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