squash ontario annual recognition awards

We are exceptionally fortunate and we have been over the years, to attract the dedicated, committed and enthusiastic people to
the squash community. No award can thank them enough – but it’s a start. Have someone in mind for one of these awards?
Kindly use the form below to let us know you think deserves a spot on the list.

For any Junior Awards, the Junior Advisory Committee will review all nominations that have sufficient details and nominees that meet the description of the award. No self-nominations please.

Established in 2016 by the Bannerman/Crossman family, this award is presented annually to the Under 15 and Under 13 junior player in Ontario who best represents the values of William Bannerman by playing with the utmost sportsmanship and respect for the game, and who has a genuine love and joy of the sport that is infectious. The award recipient will be an Under 15 and Under 13 junior player who is likely to play squash for life, encourage and coach others of any level and be a humble and enthusiastic shepherd of the sport. This player is not necessarily someone who has achieved high performance success, but someone who will clearly impact the sport and other players through his or her "spirit of the game". One male and one female will receive a $250 bursary in each age division.

2024- Zara Khalil (GU15), Caleb Hickox (BU15), Shirley Chen (GU13), Wali Maqsood (BU13)

2023- Niam Tejani (BU15), Madison pirko (GU15), Scott burns (BU13), Eleanor Vandenbrink (GU13)

2022 - Josh Keller (BU15), Charlotte Ghaeli (GU15), Aidan Hisey (BU13), Elishka Roux (BU13)

2020 - Wasey Maqsood (BU15), Ananya Maheshwari (gu15), Sebastian Singodia (BU13), Keira Hickox (GU13)

2019 - Ben Marrison (BU15), Gabby Waite (GU15), Jacob Marrison (BU13), Ashley Hall (GU13)

2018 - Noah Crawford, Molly Chadwick

2017 - Amin Khan, Aparna Maheshwari

This award was created by the Board of Directors of Squash Ontario to recognize outstanding coaches in Ontario. 

It is presented to a coach who has consistently exhibited, espoused and taught the principles of respect, integrity and fair play and who portrays a positive role model both for the game of squash and for the coaching profession.

"If you do all you can, it can never be too little”. In 1979, the Board of Directors of Squash Ontario created its Special Achievement Award. It is given at the Board’s discretion, to a volunteer, player, coach or official who has worked on behalf of the game of squash.

Recipients are traditionally those who have made very significant contributions to the game of squash, not only in Ontario but also on a national and international basis. It is Squash Ontario’s highest and most prestigious honour.

Honouring a man who left an indelible mark on the game of squash in so many areas, the Simon Warder Officiating Achievement Award was created by friends who recognized Simon’s love of and involvement in the officiating side of squash. In the memory of Simon Warder, this award is given to an Ontario official who has earned the respect of the players and their peers; who seeks opportunities to upgrade their skills; who is committed to mentoring others, and who represents the game and profession of officiating with integrity and fairness. 

Darrin Manley (2022) Les Homme (2019) Steve Flude (2018)                                                                                                                        Bob Mansbridge (2017)                                                                                                            Andrés Orozco (2016)
Dave Howard (2015)
Murray Harper (2014)
Wayne Smith (2013)
Penny Glover (2012)

Squash Ontario events are successful in large part because of the outstanding contributions by corporations. Recipients of this award are acknowledged for contributing to the health and well-being of our game. 

Jim Mason left an indelible mark on squash in Ontario at the junior level – his commitment to and passion for junior squash laid the groundwork for the programming which is in place now – he mentored coaches who carried the banner and he encouraged young athletes, many of whom went on to achieve national and international acclaim. But through it all, he believed in fair play – on the court and off the court.

This award recognizes excellence on the court in concert with leadership off it and will be presented to Squash Ontario’s top performers season. It is awarded to one male and one female in each of the U19 and U15 categories and will be an athlete that has achieved domestic success in Ontario events, as well as on the National and/or international stage. 

2024-U19- Ashley Hall, Ethan Jain & Arham Izhar

2024-U15- Sasha Lee & Shaan Jolly

2023-U19- Wasey Maqsood & Ashley Hall

2023-U15- Obie Ryding & Sasha Lee

2022 U19- Niki Shemirani & Wasey Maqsood

2022 U15- Maya Askari & Carl-Edmund Roux

2020 U19- Nikhil Ismail & Molly Chadwick

2020 u15- Iman Shaheen & Ewan Harris

2019 U19 – Erica McGillicuddy & Neel Ismail

2019 U15 – Amal Izhar & Alexander Yuzpe

2018 U19 - Brianna Jefferson, James Flynn & George Crowne

2018 U15 - Alexander Yuzpe & Iman Shaheen

This award recognizes the commitment and dedication of those athletes that have improved the most in the past 12 months of play, with drastic improvement to their ranking and results. It is awarded to one male and one female in each of the U19 and U15 categories.

2024 U19 - Sienna Grossi & Christian Lindo

2024 U15 - Rhia Valinjkar & Satbir Mehat

2023 U19 - Ethan Jain & Caitlin Ng

2023 U15 - Shaan Jolly & Olivia Bolger

2022 U19 - Raya Singh & Syan Singh

2022 U15 - Georgia Baldwin & Sebastian Singodia

2020 U19 - Jagroop Bhangoo & Amal Izhar

2020 U15 - Vishaal Mehta & Jenna Askari

2019 U19 – Isaiah Miller & Erica McGillicuddy

2019 U15 – Gabriel Van Moorsel & Aleeza Khan

2018 U19 - Maaz Mufti & Hannah Guthrie

2018 U15 - Syan Singh & Amal Izhar

The game of squash thrives when there is growth at the local and regional levels. The Outstanding Achievement Awards program was created by the Board of Directors to recognize the contributions made by volunteers, corporations, officials, coaches and players at all levels of the game.

The Barbara Cooper Award will be awarded each year to an individual in Ontario who has over the years built, promoted and enhanced the game of women’s squash.  This person exhibits fair play.  The individual should demonstrate leadership and achievement in both their competitive and social life. This person is an inspirational role model for others to follow. 

Jessica DiMauro (2024)

Alison Le Ber (2022)

Nicole Garon (2019)

Lisa Coates (2018)                                                                                                 

Julie Hisey (2017)

Kathy Cowper (2015)

Tara Mullins (2014)

Elka Markus (2013)

Donna Thompson (2012)

Nicole Pirko (2011)

Brenda Forbes(2010)

Robin Kingsmill (2009)

Any individual whom the Squash Ontario Board of Directors considers has contributed greatly to the development or promotion of squash in Ontario is eligible to be made an Honorary Member of the Corporation.

Alan Scott
Bob Smart
Anne Smith
Ian Stewart
Joe Stewart
Robert Brooks
Stephanie Hewitt
Lolly Gillen
Tom Craig