Our Volunteer of the month is Peter Vesperman from the Cootamundra Squash Centre.
Peter started playing squash in 1980 when he was 20 years old after being encouraged by his friends, he had previously played quite a bit of snooker. Working for the railway meant Peter spent large amounts of time away from home in various towns, he and his colleagues would entertain themselves by going down to the local squash courts and having a hit.
Peter is a passionate squash player, he enjoys not just the physical and cardio aspects of the sport that keep him fit but also the friendships that he has made through his local squash club. Along with the accessibility to play squash seven days a week, winter and summer with different people.
Peter is also an avid viewer of the sport, even attending the last commonwealth games. He used to watch squash on ABC years ago but now you will often find him spending hours watching matches on YouTube “I spend a lot of time watching squash on YouTube, wherever its on I get into it, I could sit there for hours running batteries flat on the iPad.”
You wouldn’t know that Peter is 62 years old, he still plays three times a week and is always the first to volunteer whether it be coaching local school children, fixing any electrical or plumbing issues or cleaning at the club.
Club Member Phil Bowden said that, “Peter has been helping run the Cootamundra club for decades, is always the first to volunteer to get work done. Organising working bees to fix things, helping with competitions, behind the counter at the kiosk, cooking bbq...anything really. He is still an active player in local comps and inter-town, loves the competition and social part of the game.”
Peter is a massive advocate for the sport of squash, stating the sports accessibility, affordability and fun as reasons for young people to get involved in squash. Peter is often interacting with the kids in his community playing matches with them giving tips and encouraging them to just have fun.
When asked if he had any further advice for young players Peter responded “Be safe ,always call your lets, have FUN, enjoy the game that you’re playing and it’s like anything its learning”.