Heather McKay documentary
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- My name is Oliver Coulcher - Porter and I have been playing squash since the age of 8. I remember reading an article on Heather and her achievements when I was younger. I was struck by how under appreciated she was as a squash player and sportswomen. This documentary is a record of her achievements before they get lost to time and contains interviews from players who knew Heather, played her or were coached by her. This documentary, although only short, took a long time to finish and put together. However, I think it was worth the effort to help people remember Heather and her extraordinary achievements.
*First world open is Brisbane 1976 (incorrectly stated in documentary)
*Disputed whether Barbara Wall was first to turn professional
From Vincent Taylor:
I suppose I met Heather first in the late 1970s when she was the squash professional at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. The game was the North American hardball game and Heather had become very good at it. I took lessons from her and my lasting impression was that she was incredibly accurate in her shots. When we played during my lessons, she would never give me easy balls to play, but she had an uncanny knack of putting balls just within my ability to reach rather than just out of reach and never quite hitting the nick, thus making me work harder. My hardball squash doubles partner and I introduced Heather, and her husband Brian, to the game. It took Heather very little time to learn the game. In fact, when the Royal Canadian Yacht Club opened its Toronto city clubhouse, my partner and I staged an exhibition hardball doubles match against Heather and Brian to officially open the Club's hardball doubles court. She was very personable and helpful. We were sorry to see her go back to Australia. I can't remember the year, but probably about 1990, I went on court with her in Brisbane for part of an afternoon. She then got one of her young girl pupils to play me until I was exhausted. Heather was just as accurate and just as friendly as she had been with me in Toronto. It was a great experience. I was lucky our paths crossed for those few years.
From Jo-Anne Perry:
I had the privilege of being at Australian titles over 50 yrs ago with her representing NSW at her peak. The most incredible sportsperson I have ever met and so very humble. Her discipline and hard work was just phenomenal. Total perfectionist. Any points earned by opponents had to be earned. There will never be another Heather in squash. She’s still around playing very competitively in Masters Tennis beating many well under her age and over 80 now. Never keep a good athlete down
Great work Oliver and in depth research on a great player
From Barbara de Bruine:
The footage of Heather was first class and shows her excellent movement and technique.
Some information most people would not know is that she also had quite long arms (like Margaret Court) which helped in her retrieving ability. She also had a very clear mind and didn't try to be to be too 'clever', playing the basics (length, height and diagonals) extremely well, resulting in error free squash. There were no free points! You had to earn them!
Every Australian should view this video Oliver. Congratulation on your tenacity and passion in making this a reality.☺
Awesome coverage of Heather McKay in action, plus all the support from world champions and squash fans.
Thx Oliver --- I'm a bit older than you but Heather had a big fan base in the NY/NJ area back in the 'late '70s and 80's --- an inspiration
From David P. Morgan - First met Heather when I organised an Exhibition evening at Sutton Tennis & Squash Club - she played James Hunt first (Formula 1 champion later!) & then me. She also played in the Cutty Sark Open (first ever prize money per round) at Sutton. Later we caught up with each other at various squash (international ball) squash (NA American ball) and Racketball where she (of course!) excelled at all events.
A remarkable sports lady & one of a kind.
From Mike Corby - Heather was comfortably the Greatest Ever Lady squash player .
As Dardir said , she was the complete
squash player possessing every aspect of the game to make her peerless . One aspect of her game , no one seems to have mentioned , is that she had Speed , one of the God given talents that takes a Sportsperson to another level .
I played and practiced with Heather a few times and can say ….
She was fast , disciplined and as competitive as anyone could possibly hope to be !
There will never be her equal .
Great to see this, well done on getting this compiled.
From Bob (Robert), Peter and Kerrie Gray - Heather came to work with our family run Newsagency around 1957. Our dad, John Gray and mum Mary (she worked part-time) ran the shop in Monaro St Queanbeyan until about late 1959. Dad became ill and we had to sell the business. My eldest brother Bob was about Heather's age. He can remember when the first squash court opened in Queanbeyan. It was at Casey's Garage. He and Heather played a game together and she "thrashed me" - his words. Bob wasn't the only one who couldn't beat her. One of the newspaper Reps was also beaten by her. My other brother, Peter, remembers watching Heather in a tennis tournament. He said she was so good and he was inspired by her to try hard at any sport he enjoyed. Heather was an all rounder with sport. Tennis (she still plays), hockey, netball. A very humble, big hearted and strong sports woman. For me Heather was like an older sister and I thought she was part of our family. One Queanbeyan Floral Festival Dad did a window display with all her trophies and medals. Unfortunately we don't have any photos of that. Dad did encourage Heather to pursue he talents and offered help where he could. Like you our family believes Heather was never given the accolades she deserved.
That is a blast from the past. Heather worked at the Newsagency when I worked in PM's Dept in Canberra in 1959. I visited Brian Coleman (Optician) for contact lenses and I would buy a chewy from Heather before I went up the steps for my appointment. Later on Phil Platt from Civic Centre SC asked me if I would like a hit with this person that was keen. That person was Heather. There is more but that shows how small this world is!
The goat 😊
Impressive documentary Oliver. I'm glad you persevered with it. Well done.
From Heather McKay:
The game has changed over the years but I am still a great believer in the basics, good tight length look for the volley move your opponent around wait for the opening. In saying this don't be negative. A good tight length ball will negate your opponent from dictating play i.e. being in front all the time. I think it depends on how far you want to go when playing. If you just want enjoy the game play with a group of friends (that is how I started) or join a club where you can make new friends & have people to play with. If you are serious try & find a coach who will help you with your game, technique & help you set goals to achieve.
Talk to top plavers & other coaches for advice & information & this will help vou in modelling your own game. Over the years people kept asking me when I was going to retire & I always said when I stopped enjoying the game. Not only did I enjoy the game both on & off the court but I made great friends.
No way! Just last week I was writing an outline on how I could make a documentary about Heather McKay.
Fabulous bravo