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20/11/2009 - Two world squash legends will be officially inducted into the New Zealand Squash Hall of Fame at an official dinner in Auckland tomorrow night. |
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Former world champions Dame Susan Devoy and Ross Norman are among the eight inaugural inductees, who include five players, a coach and two administrators.
Devoy is arguably the greatest women's player ever, dominating international squash for a decade. Her glittering career included four world titles, eight British Open crowns and eight New Zealand Open titles.
Norman is best remembered for his world championship title in 1986, when he beat Jahangir Khan in the final, ending the Pakistan legend's unbeaten run of more than 550 matches. Norman has flown back to New Zealand especially for the dinner from his home in the UK.
The other players being inducted are Bruce Brownlee, the first New Zealander to win a major international title (1976 British Amateur Championship), former world number one Leilani Rorani (nee Joyce) and former world number three Stuart Davenport.
A man who played a leading role in many of New Zealand's on court successes is also being inducted. Dardir El Bakary became the country's first full time professional coach in 1967. With his charismatic personality, deep knowledge of the game and approachability, Dardir took squash to the masses.
The two men being recognised for their efforts off the court are Murray Day and Roy Haddon. Day was president of the New Zealand Squash Federation from 1969-1971 and went on to take on the presidency of the International Squash Rackets Federation from 1975-1981. Haddon was the driving force behind New Zealand squash for more than 20 years, running the national association as its secretary in 1949, 1951 and from 1953-1971.
The New Zealand Squash Hall of Fame Dinner will be held at the Novotel Ellerslie Hotel in Auckland tomorrow night.
For more information
Don Cotter
Chairman
New Zealand Squash Hall of Fame
027 297 1922
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www.nzsquashhalloffame.co.nz/
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