Having again won the England National Championships this summer, Colets squash team has put Thames Ditton firmly on the map of British squash. Ever since the arrival in 1994 of professional Dave Peck, Colets have collected 7 England championships as well as being runners-up five times. With the England title goes the right to represent England at the European Club Championships, which Colets won in 1998, were runners-up twice and twice drew 2-2, only to lose on points comeback.
Peck, a 39 year old former Bedfordshire champion, is the most successful squash team manager in Britain, but he says the secret is "in our strength in depth and our team spirit. Although our number one, Alex Gough, the Welsh champion, is now only into his second season, the rest of the team has been with us for years so they all know each other pretty well."
"Colets has its own 'barmy army' of members, who all pay their own way to the European Championships - and I can tell you that their vocal support when a match gets tight is invaluable. The players really get spurred on and we've had some incredibly exciting battles. Sometimes it gets so intense I can't bear to watch. I go and get a cup of coffee, but then I have to go back to the court to see what's happening."
While local companies have given support and individual members contribute to the fighting fund it is the club itself which must take much of the credit because it has always supported the team and given the major financial support.
So popular and well supported is squash at Colets that the Club is investing in the upgrade of three of its six courts to glass backs this month. This will easily double the number of spectators who can watch matches with balcony and new seated viewing at ground level.
Martin Bronstein
Photo: Colets Health Club