Masters trailblazer honoured at Squash Australian Open Gala Dinner

Australian squash masters’ trailblazer Peter Wright has been involved in the sport for over half a century.

In March, after more than six decades of service, Peter’s contributions to squash were recognised at the Squash Australian Open Gala Dinner in Brisbane.

Presented with a Distinguished Service Award, the squash fanatic was truly honoured to receive such an acknowledgement.

“(I feel) very privileged,” said Peter. “You don't do it for these things, but for the community of squash, that's what it's all about.”

Spending 39 years as the President of the Australian Masters Squash Association (AMSA), Peter was instrumental in the association's inception.

Peter first became involved with the association in 1981 and, after 45 years, has decided to retire from the AMSA.

A love for the game and the culture of the Masters is what kept Peter involved in the format for as long as he was.

“I was very fortunate… I won a few world titles in Masters, and I loved that,” said Peter.

“But when I finished, I still enjoyed being there with the people and being a part of it. It is a really great community.

“(Players) can go and play a really, really hard match and, all right, they all want to win… but then it’s all about the social aspect.”

After being involved with the sport for the better part of a lifetime, Peter is pleased to see squash making a return to the public conversation off the back of its inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics.

“I really am honoured to see that squash is there (in LA 2028), and let’s hope that we can keep it there and generate an interest in the sport that is ongoing.”