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Martin Braybrook, who has volunteered with Cromer Squash Club for over forty years, has won the Unsung Hero award at the 2024 England Squash Awards.
The 77-year-old began his involvement in 1980, having moved to Cromer a year prior and has been the squash representative on the club board for almost four decades, including five years as chairman in the late eighties. Reflecting on this period, Martin said:
“I arrived at the start of the squash boom period. Squash courts were just being built at the club, tennis was struggling, and the squash courts basically saved the club in those days.
“I played a bit in Cambridge and in Peterborough, and there was nobody else I could really play here so I thought I'll try and get some internal leagues going and perhaps we can get a team in the Norfolk leagues, which we did.”
A local legend who's dedicated his life to the club, Martin has been Cromer's treasurer since 2002 and has overseen everything from managing finances and organising competitions, to presenting trophies. In his time, Martin has been instrumental in helping to upgrade the facility with the installation of new LED lights and glass barriers.
Martin was honoured to receive the award but emphasised how much support he has received from the volunteering squash community throughout the years.
“I was absolutely amazed to be honest,” he admitted. “I had no idea anything was happening and that I was nominated. It has been very much a team effort over the years. I could name umpteen people who have volunteered - I obviously haven't done it all for forty years.
“I suppose my strength has always been administration rather than playing, I was never the world’s greatest player. I had a couple of games for the Norfolk over 55s, twenty years ago but that was the highest level I ever reached.”
During Martin's involvement with Cromer, the club has grown significantly. From having no teams in the early eighties, the club went on to sport three men’s and two ladies teams in the Norfolk leagues. Fast forward to the present day and the club still has two successful men’s sides. Alongside his respected administerial work, Martin has worked tirelessly to raise the club's profile across Norfolk and has frequently worked with local media to cover results, including writing a column for the Eastern Daily Press and appearing on Radio Norfolk from time-to-time.
The club also hosted junior competitions that led to Martin crossing paths with two legends of the game. He explained:
“I got to know Malcolm Willstrop very well because he was down the road at North Walsham at the time. His son, James, played at Cromer, and we had an under 12 tournament that got national recognition, and boys like him started playing at Cromer.”
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