Another successful squash season is coming to an end, and we were able to acknowledge our outstanding junior community at our annual awards banquet. Their dedication to squash was demonstrated this past weekend as Ontario's top juniors, coaches, and families took over The Club at White Oaks for the 2024 Ontario Junior Open Championships.

The Squash Ontario junior community is truly where the “leaders of tomorrow play junior squash today”; a very special collection of student athletes and young people making a difference in the world from around the province. With thanks to the Jesters Club of Ontario, we were thrilled to again recognize the brightest lights of 2023-24 in sportsmanship, on-court excellence, commitment to improvement and coaching achievement at our banquet Saturday night.

Please join us in congratulating the following people for their hard work this squash season.

Tournament Results

Past Award Winners

Most Improved Player Award:

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.

Winners: Sienna Grossi (U19), Christian Lindo (U19), Satbir Mehat (U15), Rhia Valinjkar (U15)

player of the year award:

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.

Winners: Arham Izhar (U19), Ethan Jain (U19), Shaan Jolly (U15), Sasha Lee (U15), Ashley Hall (U19)

William Bannerman SPIRIT OF THE GAME award:

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".

Winners: Zara Khalil (U15), Caleb Hickox (U15), Shirley Chen (U13), Wali Maqsood (U13)

Jim mason fair play award:

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.

mark sachvie coaching acheivement AWARD:

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.

Winner: Willie Hosey (right), pictured with Matt Easingwood (Nominator).

BARBARA COOPER AWARD:

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.

2024 Ontario Junior Awards Banquet, supported by the Jesters Club of Ontario