Squash and old age: I thought I was pretty old to still be playing squash (at 64) – but then I saw the latest post from England Squash about the British National Championships currently taking place in Manchester, UK.
This encourages me no end, and I have set myself a goal to continue playing until I’m 80 years old 🙂 – at least !!
Two of the competitors in the over 75’s tournament
The above picture (courtesy of England Squash) shows one of the “Masters” matches where the Men’s Over 75’s saw two of the oldest players in the tournament gracing the court as 79 year old Patrick Kirton defeated 80 year old Lance Kinder, playing in his 30th Nationals.
Great – maybe I can still play on for another 16+ years!! 🙂
On a more serious note, this just shows how squash and old age are not necessarily mutually exclusive. I think the trick is to keep playing into your old age, rather than taking up the sport when you reach 55, for example – although there are people who have done this successfully too. Speaking for myself, I can say that my game has changed considerably during my 50 playing years. My game is a lot slower now, but I concentrate much more on accuracy and placement of the ball. If I can stand on the “T” and get my opponent running around like a madman, then that’s exactly how I like it! 🙂
I also have come to realise that sometimes playing a slower game is the best way to infuriate a much younger, fitter opponent, who is hitting the ball hard (often far too hard) and doing a lot of running. As you becomes older, there are less options open to you, and this style of play is pretty much the only one – so you had better perfect it and get very good at it!
I started playing in 1972 up to the age of 40, but then last year started again and found out I needed a double hip replacement which I had in August last year. Just started back again at 60 (61 now), and enjoying it, so hopefully being part bionic will help!
Hi !
I am at 44 and I would like to start playing. I know I am too old to start this game, however I started my self and the wall 2 weeks ago and found it great! Please advise if you think I can carry on, or just I have to stop.
The main objective is burn fat and stay fit. I swim 3 times a week for an hour (2.5 km non stop).
Thank you and all the best!
Hi Zahra
I don’t think you are too old to start playing squash at the age of 44!
As long as you don’t over do it you will be fine. If you are enjoying it then it’s working!!
Good luck.
Well Done Still Paying Squash at 80, I am 66 next mouth and just started playing squash again, fitness is the main problem, playing players 40 years younger, but still manage
runner up in our local league this month, and they can not beat my best shots,
I would like to test my game in an over 65 tournament if they are any local in East Anglia area please let me know,
hope to get fitter but I still like a Drink or 2
Kind Regards John Marks
Hi !
I wondered too about still playing at 64, well nearly 65 actually.
Most of my opponents are 40 or less so one has to be canny to catch them out & being lefthanded does help ! ( well I think it does )
So hope for me yet !
An interesting article here as a follow-up to this post (published in the Daily Express – by Jan Disley).
Reproduced below:
AT 80 he’s Britain’s oldest competitive squash player and super-fit grandfather Lance Kinder has to take on relative youngsters at the game. The RAF veteran was the only man to enter the over-80s category at last week’s National Squash Championships in Manchester and had to drop down to play in the over-75s.
And while he bowed out in the first round, he reckons the sport has helped keep him fit over the decades in spite of one on-court heart attack. Mr Kinder, from Overton, Hampshire, who gave up alcohol as a young man, said: “I only took up squash when I was 40 but I never expected to still be playing at 80. It turns out I wasn’t bad at it.
“In August 2000 I had a heart attack during a game but I was back playing by the following May.
“They took me straight to hospital and I was in for a week. The doctor thought I was mad when I said I wanted to start playing again
“I haven’t looked back since. Of course it hurts more the older you get but I’m still enjoying it. I’ve kept in pretty good shape.”
Mr Kinder, a retired retail manager, who was born in India in 1935 and moved to the UK at the age of 12. He first picked up a racket to lose weight and now plays AND hits the gym three times a week. He played for England when he was 55 and has won at least a dozen British singles titles and more than 20 in the doubles, from over-50s to over-75s.
He added: “I was a bit sad when I rang up to ask about the fixtures for this year’s event and the tournament director said there were no other entries for the over-80s.
“So I was entered into the over-75s – they’re all young pups compared to me.”