2026 Award Recipients
Published Sat 31 Oct 2026
On Saturday 24 October, we celebrated the people and clubs who give so much to our sport at the Squash WA Annual Awards!
A big congratulations to our Award winners:
Referee of the Year: Luke Jamieson Coach of the Year: Sue Hillier Junior Player of the Year: Ruby Foo Volunteer of the Year – Metro: Lisa Christou Volunteer of the Year – Country : Daniel Mines Junior of the Year: Joey Scott Club of the Year: Belmont Saints Squash ClubWe also had the pleasure of presenting Sue Cowell and Sue Hillier with their long-awaited pins, recognising their Life Memberships.
Big thank you to Jason Mennell for keeping us entertained as MC and to everyone who celebrated with us. A special shout-out to those who travelled to be there. We love that our squash community goes the extra mile, literally!
Referee of the Year: Luke Jamieson (Mirrabooka)
Over the last 12 months, his dedication to refereeing has taken him from club tournaments across WA to major interstate competitions and even the international stage.
Selected to referee at the World Masters Squash Championships, representing WA officiating internationally.
Invited to officiate at the Bendigo Open and Ballarat Open in Victoria.
Served as Tournament Referee at the 2026 West Coast Open.
Officiated at the South West Open Championships in Bunbury and the Vic Park Open.
Appointed by Squash Australia to its World Squash Officiating Referee Appraiser Group, supporting national referee development through appraisal, feedback and mentoring.
Delivered officiating education and mentoring across metropolitan and regional WA, including Kalgoorlie and Geraldton, and supported upcoming officials working towards Level 0 accreditation.
Mentored developing referees, Tournament Referees and Tournament Directors.
Helped junior players learn marking, refereeing and decision-making, building their confidence to become involved in officiating.
Promoted fair, consistent and professional officiating through a calm, approachable manner and willingness to explain decisions.
Coach of the Year: Sue Hillier (Vic Park).
Tireless volunteer at Vic park Squash club, from assiting with club compeitions, mentoring players and helping create a welcoming environment for all.
Long-time advocate in the promotion of womens squash, running a womens group twice a week at Vic Park and a mentor for our young junior girls.
Squash Australian recognize her talent and drafted her in for her expertise in coaching.
Involvement with training the juniors for AJC, stepping in without hesitation when the state head coach was unable to travel.
Calm, measured leadership and a wonderful ambassador for squash and someone who always puts others first.
Volunteered as a coach at the 2026 Australian Junior Championships, supporting the development of WA junior players.
Junior Player of the Year: Ruby Foo (Marmion Squash Club).
Played her first Australian Junior Championships in 2022.
Her development and determination has seen this young player go from strength to strength ever since, her game improve immeasurably in just the last couple.
In the last year, this person achieved Runner up at the Australian Junior Open, 4th position at the Oceania Junior Championships, and Runner up at our Junior State titles.
Unfortunately, this young lady was injured and unable to join the team in Tasmania, where we are sure she would have excelled.
Volunteer of the Year– Metro:
Nominees: Jason Rawling (Marmion), Lee ingham, Lou Cotter (Vic Park), Sam Hendy Taylor (Vic Park), Serena Richardson (Mirrabooka), Simon Tulip (Vic Park), Steve Tapley (Bluegum)
Winner: Lisa Christou (Vic Park)
Throughout 2026, she has been a driving force behind Vic Park Squash Club.
Coordinating its thriving junior program each Wednesday during school terms, organising sessions and volunteers.
Provide a welcoming environment that helped juniors develop skills, build confidence and progress into competitive and representative squash.
Supports the delivery of the club’s Monday In-House Competition and Annual tournament.
Assisting with administrative and organisational tasks, and managing their social media.
Supported the Squash WA State Junior Squad and travelled with the junior state team as a coach and carer.
Served as Team Manager and Coach for Central Zones at the State Teams Championships.
Provided her professional expertise assisting Squash WA office with their roll over to a new financial system.
Volunteered at the World Masters Championships in Perth.
Regularly participates in and supported metropolitan and country tournaments.
Strengthened connections between players, families and volunteers across multiple clubs.
Generous with her time, tireless in her efforts and always willing to put her hand up, she represents everything that makes volunteering so valuable.
Volunteer of the Year – Country:
Nominees: Dianne Watts (Kalgoorlie), Mark Lush (Bunbury), Sean Brockman (Busselton)
Winner: Daniel Mines aka “Minesy” (Dampier)A familiar face in Pilbara squash circles, he's someone who doesn't just turn up to play — he rolls up his sleeves and makes things happen.
A driving force behind two of country squash's biggest events, Dampier FeNaClNG and Country Week, he dedicates countless hours to their organisation and promotion, helping bring together players from across regional WA.
An incredibly active member of both the Dampier and Karratha Squash Clubs, he's involved in squash three or four nights a week, somehow finding time to play while helping keep both clubs running.
Makes the effort to support other country tournaments regardless of the distance.
Demonstrated consistent commitment, enthusiasm and willingness to take responsibility, benefiting squash across the Pilbara and wider regional WA. His efforts help keep country clubs connected and ensure regional squash continues to flourish. A true champion of country squash, whose contribution is felt well beyond his home courts.
Junior of the Year: Joey Scott (Belmont)
Throughout 2026, she's demonstrated that you're never too young to make a meaningful difference to your sporting community.
Volunteered at the 2026 World Masters across Karrinyup and Belmont, helping deliver Squash Stars activities and assisting with court maintenance and cleaning.
Contributed her time to busy bees at the State Squash Centre, removing unwanted furniture, equipment and rubbish.
Assisting with the new landscaping, clearing vegetation and rubble, planting of the new native garden and watering.
Generously supported weekly junior coaching programs throughout the year, helping other young players discover the enjoyment of squash.
Supporting the a State Junior Pathway session as a hitting partner for younger players.
Helped create a welcoming environment for new players while giving back to the squash community.What makes her contribution particularly special is her understanding that volunteering is about giving back to a sport and community that has given her so much.
Enthusiastic, generous and always prepared to lend a hand, she's a shining example of the future of squash volunteering.
Club of the Year – Nominees: Busselton Squash Club, Belmont Saints
Winner: Belmont Saints
Throughout 2026, this club has made an extraordinary contribution to squash, both on and off the court.
Its volunteers played a vital role in delivering the World Masters Championships, while also transforming the State Squash Centre through landscaping, refurbishment and countless hours of hard work.
Delivered more than 42 school sessions to over 150 students, maintained a year-round junior program, and introduced over 30 children to squash through a youth-led Youth Week event.
Provided coaching and support, running training approximately three times a week, which was also open to players from other clubs.
Financially supported players representing WA at national junior and university championships.
Secured grant for State Squash Centre landscaping, furniture and helped prepare the venue for the World Masters.
Delivered three council-supported “have a go” sessions.
Supported the Squash Stars pilot and mentored coaches and volunteers.
Secured a Game on GIRLS grant, with delivery underway.
Its volunteers have also supported players representing WA, strengthened community partnerships and helped deliver events from grassroots competitions to the international stage.
Helped run daytime and Monday night leagues.
It's a shining example of a club that doesn't just participate in squash — it helps drive the sport forward.
Partnered with SportWest and the Road Safety Council on an event that also enabled the purchase of a squash cannon for training
Life member: Raelene Marriot (Belmont)
Has been a valued and influential presence in the squash community for many years.
Beginning as a junior at Walter Road Squash Club and progressing to high-grade ladies squash, she continued her playing journey at North Beach before finding her long-term home at Belmont Saints Squash Club.
For around 20 years, she has been a dedicated member of the Day League Committee, helping shape one of the most active daytime competitions in the state.
She has also contributed significantly to night league operations, currently serving on the Monday Night League Committee and previously leading the Thursday Night League Committee as Chairperson.
Her involvement has extended to state-level administration through her service on the Squash WA Board and the Pennant Committee.
Her leadership, calm approach, and willingness to take on responsibility have made her a trusted figure in the sport’s governance.
She has also contributed to major events as a Tournament Director for Squash WA tournaments, the Australian Masters Games squash competition, and UniSport events.
Her ability to coordinate players, officials, schedules, and venues has ensured smooth, enjoyable tournaments for all involved.
Her dedication was formally recognised when she received the 2022 Squash WA Volunteer of the Year Award, a testament to her tireless commitment and positive impact across the squash community.
She is known for consistently prioritising her squash commitments above personal and work demands, ensuring competitions and events run seamlessly for players and volunteers alike.
She has also provided crucial support to Squash WA during major transitions, including the Westminster move — managing storage and equipment transfer — and the establishment of the State Centre, where she assisted with logistics, building works, storage organisation, and operational setup.
At Belmont Saints, she has been a committee member for 12 years, taking on important roles including Club Captain, Revo/Communications Officer, and Social Secretary.
She is also a long-term financial sponsor of the club and a hands-on volunteer for programs, events, and community activities.
Her commitment extends to major events such as the World Masters Championships in Perth, where she volunteered her time and expertise to support the successful delivery of an international competition.
Her long-standing dedication, passion for the sport, and willingness to contribute wherever needed make her a truly deserving nominee for Life Membership.
