OR Squash

Squash at Repton has never been a major sport with football, hockey and Fives taking precedence. Nevertheless, remove comma the game has always been played by many Reptonians over the years, with squash teams and a Captain of Squash andfixtures played against schools and clubs.

There have been ORs who have played the game competitively and reached the heights at county level, gained “Blues” and, in some instances, competed nationally. In most of these cases it was typical that Repton played little part in their development and this was derived from either university or participation at good squash clubs around the country or abroad.

What is really interesting to note is that in its inaugural year of 1926. The Drysdale Cup, which is the Junior Amateur National Championship for boys under 19, was won by CJ Wilson (P’1922). Wilson was in the Cricket 1st X1 of 1925 but presumably played sufficient squash at school to enable him to win the event. Most winners have become national champions at senior level and in some case world champions. The Drysdale was founded by Dr Theodore Drysdale of St Paul’s, Cambridge and RAC Club.

During my time as an OR we entered the annual Londonderry Cup competition, one of the oldest tournaments in world squash having its inauguration in 1934, with its name coming from Lord Londonderry who was President of The International Sportsman’s Club at the time. I played in the Repton side for many years from the mid ‘60s when John Ervin (M’43) was

Secretary, to the ‘90s. I was the ORSC’s Secretary for 20 years having taken over from Alan Ambrose (H’48) who sadly is no longer with us and handed over to Scott Greenhalgh (N’76) in 1987. In that last year we had our best run in the Londonderry and reached the semi final, losing to Greshams who were the eventual winners of the event, thanks to the 3 squash professionals in their side. Regular winners of the Competition in my time were Greshams, Lancing and Aylesbury GS

Interest in the ORSC waned following the ‘90s, and we failed to enter a side in the competition for a number of years until 2015 when I managed to persuade Ed Rhodes (N’95), who had been Captain of Squash at School, to take on the job as Secretary; and those who run the Londonderry Cup tournament from the RAC Club were delighted to have us back. Ed, who is a very busy man with a young family, has managed to raise sides for the Londonderry but we are not that competitive. We are keen to know of ORs playing competitive squash; please do contact Ed.

Both Ed and I are delighted to hear we have entered a new era at Repton with leadership coming from the Headmaster and his team. With the ability and enthusiasm of Ben Miller, Head of English and Master in Charge of squash, we have someone who is intent on introducing and promoting the game within the School and locally. And that augurs well for the ORSC as the School provides the life blood for the ORSC.

John Hings (P’55) ORSC President

Squash at Repton has enjoyed a considerable renaissance over the last academic year, aided by the arrival of two superb players in B Block and by the excellent weekly coaching sessions offered by Welsh international and current world number 151, Owain Taylor.

After a fallow period when the school had no courts, during the construction of the sports centre, participation in squash has increased drastically, leading to hotly- contested House squash competitions for both boys and girls and won by The Cross and The Mitre, respectively. This next academic sees the return of competitive squash fixtures for the first time in several years and it’s gratifying to see the continued growth of other racket sports at the school, too.

Ben Miller Head of English, Master in Charge of Squash