Squash Hall of Fame Inductees 2009

SQUASH HALL OF FAME SUMMARIZED CITATIONS (July 18, 2009)

 

ANGELA WEBBER – Winner of the Barbados National Ladies title in 1978 and 1981 and a finalist in 1979. Won many local age group titles, as well as the Caribbean Over-40 ladies title in 1987 and the Southern Caribbean Ladies Over-40 titles in both 1986 and 1988. As an administrator Angela was a shining example for those to follow. A member of the Council of the Barbados Squash Rackets Association from 1982 to 1986 and then from 1987 to 1991 and then again from 1993 to 1997. Served the BSRA in various capacities: including President for two years and Junior Vice President for three years, but her most influential position on Council was as BSRA Secretary from 1993 to 1997 when Barbados’ reputation for effective and efficient administration of its affairs, both locally and regionally was cemented. Angela was the second Barbadian to serve as President of the Caribbean Area Squash Association (then called CARASRA) for a two year term (1989-1991). She managed numerous squash teams overseas, including the Barbados team that attended the Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina in 1995. Angela’s contribution to squash as both a player and administrator has been immense, and for this she was duly inducted into the BSRA’s Squash Hall of Fame.

 

RALPH JOHNSON – Was one of the founders of squash in Barbados and served as the first Treasurer of the Barbados Squash Rackets Association from 1981 to 1984, and then was BSRA President for the next three years, from 1984 to 1987, closing out with one final year as Treasurer in 1988. Ralph was the first Barbadian to serve as President of the Caribbean Area Squash Association (then called CARASRA) a position he held from 1981 to 1983. He was manager of every travelling Barbados squash team in those early years and often held fund raisers at his home to help the Barbados team to travel overseas. He was in the forefront of efforts to get the two glass backed courts at the Barbados Squash Club built in 1979 and 1980 and also helped to get the two courts at Mapps College built. Those courts (which have now been closed) were the home of many National Junior Champions in the 1980’s.  Ralph’s other sporting achievements in sailing, golf and motor sports are well known and as a Vice President of the Barbados Olympic Association he remains a friend of squash in many different ways. Ralph’s contribution to squash as an administrator has been immense, and for this he was duly inducted into the BSRA’s Squash Hall of Fame.

 

MICHAEL (MICKEY) ARMSTRONG – Winner of the Barbados National Men’s title on three occasions, in 1979, 1980 and 1985 and a finalist in 1982 and 1984. Also a Southern Caribbean Men’s finalist in 1979, 1984 and 1985. Mickey was the National Men’s Captain from the first senior Caribbean Squash Championships held in Nassau in 1977 until he retired after the tour to Venezuela in 1988. He emphasized discipline and team work and these qualities helped to mold a collection of talented individuals into effective and competitive Barbados men’s teams for over a decade. A member of the Council of the Barbados Squash Rackets Association from 1982 to 1988 and then from 1992 to 1993, serving mainly as Senior Vice President, and his wise counsel informed five different Presidents of the BSRA. Mickey’s contribution to squash as both a player, captain and administrator has been immense, and for this he was duly inducted into the BSRA’s Squash Hall of Fame.

 

RUDOLPH (RUDY) GOODRIDGE – Unquestionably the most popular person to ever represent Barbados in squash. Winner of the Barbados National Men’s title on eight occasions, and was also a finalist in 1979, 1985, 1992 and 1998. Also won the Southern Caribbean Men’s title twice in 1983 and 1984. He was also unbeaten in the over-40 age group in the Caribbean and won Caribbean Over-40 titles in 1997, 1999 and 2001 and Southern Caribbean Over-40 titles in 1996, 1998 and 2000. Rudy represented Barbados at every senior Caribbean Squash Championships for 25 years (1977-2001) and was the National Men’s Captain from 1989 until he left Barbados for Canada in 2002. He coached the Barbados Men’s team for many years and was team captain when Barbados won the overall Caribbean Squash Team Championship for the very first time in 1993, in Trinidad. A member of the Council of the Barbados Squash Rackets Association for a record sixteen consecutive years from 1986 to 2002 and only left the Council because he was about to travel to Canada to seek further advancement abroad. Elected an Honorary Life Member of the BSRA at the BSRA AGM in 2002. Rudy’s combination of self-confidence and humility are but two aspects of his greatness as both a player and an individual. No one has done more to put Barbados’ squash on the map and Rudy’s contribution to squash as a player, coach, captain and administrator has been immense, and for this he was duly inducted into the BSRA’s Squash Hall of Fame.