Squash heroes acknowledged at 2024 England Squash Awards

The winners of this year’s England Squash Awards have been announced, with eight winners celebrated for their impact on the squash community in England throughout the last year.

An expert panel selected the winners from a long-list of fantastic nominees, in categories for outstanding coaches and young players to diversity and inclusion projects. The five-strong panel was made up of respected figures from across the sport, including the President of the World Squash Federation, Zena Wooldridge, Asma Ajaz-Ali, from the Muslim Sport Foundation, and England Squash Board Member Andrew Light.

All award winners have been invited to attend the British Open in Birmingham next June, to see the world’s best players in action and celebrate their hard work with the other winners.

Club of the Year went to The Queen’s Club in West Kensington for its hugely successful outreach programme, run by the Queen’s Club Foundation. The foundation delivered free squash coaching to 221 children from local state schools and recently announced England’s Gina Kennedy as its first female ambassador.

Jayne Robinson was selected as Coach of the Year for her inclusive and accessible sessions at Pontefract Squash Club. Jayne coaches a variety of sessions, including for children as young as three, players in their fifties and Mixed Ability Squash, all with the aim of helping under-represented groups play squash. She also coaches this year’s Rising Star winner.

Hannah Hodgson is this year’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion for her contributions to promoting women’s participation in squash. Hannah leads several initiatives to help boost women’s confidence playing the sport, including personalised sessions tailored to participants’ unique needs and challenges.

Martin Braybrook is this year’s Unsung Hero for his extensive involvement at Cromer Squash Club, where he has volunteered for over forty years. Martin was the Chairman for five years and has been a treasurer since 2002. In 1980, he created the club’s first squash team which has now grown to three men’s and two women’s sides.

Young Volunteer/Coach of the Year was won by Sophie Townsend for her contribution at Kenilworth Squash Club. Sophie coaches junior sessions on Saturdays and Tuesdays, and particularly likes to nurture and support less confident players, alongside pursuing her own playing career.

Sienna Hampshaw is 2024’s female Rising Star following a triumphant year on court. The 12-year-old from Pontefract is second in the U13 rankings and recently became the U13 Champion at the Polish Junior Open.

Sienna is joined by James Southern, the winner of the male Rising Star award. James plays at Tynemouth Squash Club having risen up the ranks in each age category and is working hard to try and achieve his first England call up in 2025.

Referee of the Year went to Ashley Smith for his impact on the refereeing community. In 2024 he was the Lead Referee at the British Junior Championships and is also a tutor, delivering ‘Calling the Shots’, a workshop run by England Squash, that aims to train and support a new generation of officials.

The Moment of the Year award will be voted on by followers across the England Squash social media community and will be announced by England Squash on 16th December.

England Squash CEO, Mark Williams, said:

“We are proud to celebrate the incredible squash community and the amazing efforts of people up and down the country to grow the sport and help it become increasingly diverse.

“This year we are delighted to celebrate some fantastic winners who individually and collectively have had a huge impact on squash across all levels of the game. I hope the winners take immense pride from their work and the recognition from England Squash. It will be brilliant to meet them all at the British Open in June.”

Find out more about the 2024 England Squash Awards