Paul Charlton on four decades of squash in Grampian: Player. Coach. Referee. Board member. President.
Player. Coach. Referee. Board member. President. Paul Charlton has done it all – and more – in close to four decades of involvement with squash in Grampian.
It came as little surprise, then, when the North East squash community rallied to nominate the squash veteran for the Services to Squash Award, to recognise his many years of commitment to the sport.
After being named as the recipient of the award at the Scottish Squash Annual Awards 2023, Paul admits he was humbled by the response.
He said: “I was so delighted to be recognised – I know I was nominated by people from Grampian – but I’ve received congratulations from across Scotland, and I’d just like to say thank you to everyone for that.”
Paul’s squash commitments in Grampian started in 1985 with a first step on to the Pecten Squash Club committee – a club where he is still involved to this day.
This was followed by a lengthy stint on the committee of Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club, two spells as Grampian Squash President and two spells on the Scottish Squash board of directors.
Reflecting on his motivation for taking on these commitments, Paul said: “I always thought to myself, if I was going to complain about the organisation of something, I should probably do something to help.”
Adding, with a smile: “I must have been complaining quite a lot, because I’ve ended up organising quite a lot.”
Over the course of four decades Paul has seen the ebbs and flows of squash in Grampian.
He fought hard to save courts which would ultimately close, and feared that squash in the North East was at risk of serious decline.
However, through the work of individuals and clubs across the region, recent years have seen green shoots of growth which fill him with hope for the future.
One recent success is the Direct Club Investment (DCI) Project, supported by sportscotland, which Paul lists as one of the great achievements of the region during his involvement.
He said: “The DCI helped us to get coaching restarted in Grampian for juniors, and Joe Ewen (programme lead coach) is doing a fantastic job of getting that going.
“Over the long term I hope it will help to regenerate the number of juniors in the area – it’s probably the most practical, useful project for the future of squash that I’ve been involved with in Grampian.”
Listed among his fondest squash memories is the time spent coaching his daughters who grew to love the game almost as much as he did.
Paul reflected: “Both my daughters started playing, so I started coaching them.
“I was proud of them both, and it was brilliant to have Mhairi in the performance squad which won the European silver medals at junior level – still the only team from Scotland to have medalled at that age group.”
A recent spell of ill-health has kept Paul off court and limited his recent involvement with the game – but he has made sure to keep in touch with the game as much as he can.
He said: “Having cancer has put things in a wee bit more perspective, so I have tried to reduce some of my commitments.
“I envisage carrying on with the Presidency of Grampian for a year or two to continue to support Joe with the implementation of the DCI.
“I hope to get stronger again to be able to get back on court, but that’s not looking likely in the short term.”
Paul’s continued commitment to the role of President in Grampian is sure to be music to the ears of all those who love the sport in the region.
