Squash Star Sue Wright Appointed Olympic Ambassador
Sue Wright, a Commonwealth Games squash gold medallist, has been appointed an Ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Legacy Programme Sport Makers.
The only Ambassador who has established her sporting reputation in squash, Wright believes that her appointment is a significant coup for the sport which is currently preparing its bid to become part of the programme for the Olympic Games for the first time in 2020.
Phil Smith, Director of Sport at Sport England, commented: “We’re delighted to have Sue as one of our ambassadors. Everyone who chooses to become a Sport Maker is invited to an informal event that aims to inspire them to make sport happen in their communities.
“Sue has shown she has the knowledge, passion and the experience to motivate others and to increase participation in sport.”
Sport Makers is about making sport happen: Whether it’s organising a game, assisting at a sporting event or helping to run a local club, Sport Makers gives people the skills to get others playing sport.
Sport Makers sign up at www.sportmakers.co.uk and book on to a local event. The events tell Sport Makers all they need to know about how to make sport happen. After the event, Sport Makers go off and make sport happen either informally or with the help of local or national sporting organisations. The programme aims to capitalise on the interest in sport in Britain in 2012 by creating 40,000 Sport Makers, all encouraging others to participate in sport.
“I am extremely proud and honoured to be an Ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Legacy Programme Sport Makers,” said Wright. “It is a fantastic programme, encouraging and inspiring people to get involved in sport at local level in a very informal way.
“Maybe organising a jog around the park with friends, a kick about with colleagues or throwing a frisbee with family on a regular basis is all it takes to become a Sport Maker and become part of the Olympic Legacy.”
Sue Wright, originally from Kent, spent most of her playing career based in Thame in Oxfordshire before moving to nearby Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire. In a distinguished squash career, Sue celebrated a career-high world No3 ranking in 1998 – and later in the year partnered Cassie Jackman to gold in the Commonwealth Games women’s doubles in Kuala Lumpur.
Sue went on to win 11 World Tour titles from 27 final appearances – including runner-up berths in the world-renowned British Open in 1991 and 2000. With more than 80 junior and senior caps to her name, Wright represented England as a senior international from 1989 to 2001 – leading the country to six European titles and to the World championship final in 1998. A British national championship finalist seven times, she won the country’s premier domestic title on four occasions.
Wright is establishing a new career in sports media and was a commentator on the live coverage of the World Series Squash Finals at The Queen’s Club in London last month on Sky TV, and also appears regularly on BBC Radio Oxford. Furthermore, she acted as MC at last year’s British Grand Prix Squash Championship in Manchester.
“For me personally, it is not only exciting having the Olympics just around the corner and being part of its legacy, but, as a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, it thrills me even more to think that squash could potentially become part of the Olympic Games in 2020 – and what an amazing impact that would have on the sport,” added Wright.
“It would be, without question, the pinnacle of the game and I am looking forward to our bid achieving success and squash gaining Olympic status.”
Find out more about Sport Makers at www.sportmakers.co.uk
For the latest news of Sue Wright, visit www.sue-wright.com
Follow Sue on Twitter: @Sue1Wright