Club History, Bondi Waverley Squash Club

The Bondi Waverley Squash Club Limited

Squash Racquets first came to 8 Denison Street in 1958 with the opening of Croft's Squash Courts. Croft's, named after local property developer Doug Croft, is believed to have been the second squash court complex in the Eastern Suburbs. Croft' s continued to operate up until 1963, when Croft applied for the Club to be registered as a public company.

On the 26th August, 1963 Bondi-Waverley Squash Club Limited was incorporated and membership was opened. Croft also applied for a liquor license at around this time. With the assistance of the late Sir William McMahon, the club was successful in obtaining a license to sell liquor on the 18th February 1965. A stand alone squash club with a liquor license was unheard of and - other than us - still is!

To lift the playing standard, Croft arranged for Mahommend Dardir to become the Club's resident coach. Dardir was the professional champion of Egypt from 1951-1958 so it was no surprise that the Club provided a great number of players to the Australian team. These included Ken Hiscoe who won the British Amateur in 1962, Ted Hamilton (also a well known singer and actor), Dick Carter, who was a finalist in the 1965 British and won the New Zealand title that same year and Bill Reedman who was twice runner-up for the British.

A great number of women have also represented the Club over many years. These include Jenny Irving, No 2 to the world champion, Heather McKay along with Thea Moore, Debbie Holland, Helen Sciacca, Marg Willard, Maria Hatch and the late Yvonne West and many others.

In the early years, our Saturday evening entertainment was always of a high standard due to our music maestro, Gus Merzi. Gus ran the ABC's Jazz Department and was always on the lookout for new talent. As a result, Club members previewed The Bee Gees, Helen Reddy and Sandy Scott. Another regular was Johnnie O'Connor, who would just turn up. Getting our own Ted Hamilton off the stage was always an effort.

2005 saw the introduction of the Squash Matrix software into the NSW Squash Competition system. The software, which allows players to map their ranking and also follow opponents scores and statistics was a huge hit and revolutionized how the way some players prepare for matches. Major refurbishment was also carried out to the downstairs bar area during this year. Sealing light were added to the bar for added ambiance and new tables and stained chairs were purchased. The gaming room was similarly reorganized and painted in order to house the three new gaming machines.

The Squash Club continues to provide a first class squash facility with an excellent bar.

Club Profile
Steve Davies
Steve joined the club in 1978, playing on Sunday afternoons with one of his mates. He soon got to know a few people and started playing competition in D2.
Steve worked for Citibank and was there for 25 years before taking redundancy and changing back to admin work at St Lukes hospital. Steve lives locally in Elisabeth Bay and has been a long time resident. Steve played up as a fas ar A2 and remembers a few players that over the years including Dave Clark, Maurie Neil, Greg Maidment, Frank Eva and Jim Piccoli. The best players Steve has seen playing include Alan Woodwad, Bart Doff, Dave Sloman and Frank Oodenhoven.
Steve's main interests are traveling. He has been to Europe, Asia and the Middle East including Egypt and Jordan. Steve works at the club as a barman on Saturdays and occasionally during the week. He no longer plays squash as father time caught up with his body and recent injuries has sidelined him.

Club Profile
Bob Armstrong
Bob was born in Isleworth, Middlesex, England.
Bob arrived in Australia 1965 on a $20, 2 year assisted passage. He joined our Squash Club in 1975. Bob started off in D Grade and eventually got up to A2 level. Bob remembers watching some of the top players like John Rowles, Cam Nancarrow and Alan Woodward. Other characters that come to mind are Maurie Neil and Frank Oudenhoven.
His interests mainly centre around his family; wife Libby, son Nick and daughter Amy. He is a keen soccer fan. He has played for NSW in 1979 and even against Australia 1974 in a friendly lead up to the World Cup in Germany. Bob is a South Sydney "Rabbitoh" supporter. Bob worked as a Stock Exchange dealer for a long time, but now he is with Bank of Queensland in their cash flow finance division. Currently Bob is just playing social squash but maintains a keen interest in the club and is on the club committee.