The Foundation Cup for Volunteer of the Year

Richard Aitken from Waimea Squash Club was awarded the ‘Foundation Cup’ for winning the '2018 Volunteer of the Year’ award.

• Richard has worked tirelessly to improve the facilities at his club.  He has given many hours of his time to ensure that the courts are clean and tidy for all members, casual players and visitors to the club.
• He has regularly spent time at the Club every fortnight to fully clean all areas of the Club and Courts.  Through his efforts the squash courts look inviting to all who come through the doors.  
• He was an integral person in project managing the upgrade of insulation and heating of the Club.  He established and chaired a  subcommittee in March 2018  to raise funds for the Club to be able to install pink batts, reline upper viewing areas, place new carpet in ladies change rooms, install a heat pump, open lounge area by removing glass wall and the addition of a new bar table.
• He organised a fundraising Quiz Night and Auction which saw the Club raise $9000.
• He has consistently inspired other club members to attend working bees and has actively participated in these himself.   
• He has supported ongoing maintenance work at the club, advising of maintenance required and then following up to ensure work is completed.
• He volunteered in 2017 to introduce a Business House league for 12 weeks over Nov – Feb.  He contacted club members and businesses to secure 7 teams to participate in the event with the addition of a Club Waimea team which he took on the role of Captain for.  He was present at each week of the competition ensuring it all ran smoothly and that snack food was available each week for participating players throughout the evening.
• He has volunteered his time to improve the squash game of a junior player that is in an isolated area.   Through his support she has improved her grading over this year from a D2 to be a B2 and attended her first National individual tournament in Auckland this year and was selected to be a part of the Under 17 girls Canterbury Team for South Island teams event.
• He has been manager for the Canterbury Boys Team at the Nationals Team Events held in Ch-Ch in October 2017 and again at the Nationals Teams Event held in Auckland in October 2018.
• He has put his name forward to attend Coaching Modules to develop his coaching skills.  He has completed Club Referring Examination and put his name forward to develop and train as a District Referee.