Vale Lionel Robberds

The Squash community is saddened to hear of the recent passing of Lionel Robberds AM KC, a hugely significant figure in the sport. 

A Commonwealth Games medallist and Olympic rower, Lionel had a legal career which spanned over 50 years and also made a significant contribution to the sport of squash.

Following his rowing career, Lioned took up squash in the early 1960s and by 1970 was amongst the top five players in NSW and a member of the state’s highly-successful team at national carnivals.

In 1973, Lionel was selected in the Australian team to contest the World Teams Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa. Australia had won the first three editions of the event, with Lionel teaming with Mike Donnelly, Dave Wright and Cam Nancarrow to win Australia’s fourth straight title.

He was again selected for the 1976 World Teams Championship in Birmingham where Australia topped their pool but fell to Pakistan and the hosts in the final to finish third.

Robberds legacy within the sport was carried on by his nieces and nephews Brett, Rodney and Michelle Martin. Michelle credited Lionel with designing a successful training regimen and providing psychological and tactical support which made the difference to her career.

Martin was ranked sixth in the world before Lionel started coaching her, at which point she consistently started winning major titles and reached the world number one ranking.

Lionel’s funeral will be held on Friday 12 April from 2pm at St Patrick's Catholic Church in The Rocks, Sydney.