City man on national board
Kevin Muir is thrilled to be on the board of Squash New Zealand and honoured that Southland administrators backed him for the job.
Southland district squash cials nominated Muir.
Representatives from 11 districts considered nominees and voted in November.
Muir’s term on the board is for three years and part of the role is to attend meetings in Auckland every two months.
‘‘I was very proud when Squash Southland nominated me. They trusted me to go up there and do the job,’’ said Muir, who thought the previous Southlander to be on the board was Neil McAra 10 years ago.
Muir, of Invercargill, has been chairman of the Squash Southland board (three years), Squash City president (six years) and a board member of Squash Southland (two years).
‘‘I played squash as a kid, gave it up at 17 to play rugby, got back into it at 34 and been playing ever since,’’ Muir, 45, said.
As a 10-year-old living in Tuatapere, he and his father, Gary, signed up to be founding members of the Waiau Squash Club.
Muir has seen player numbers in Southland squash lift since about 2009, with it slowing in the past two years.
‘‘Squash had a massive lull in the 1990s into the 2000s.
‘‘There was a big drop in partici- offi- pation, there was more [sporting] choices for kids.’’
Muir said clubs with officials passionate about the sport and creating a positive atmosphere for members were attracting and retaining members.
‘‘Having the right people committees is important.
‘‘Squash in Southland, compared to other districts, is going very well.’’
Meanwhile, Muir is joined on the playing courts by his wife Kelly, son Jaden, 15, and daughter Tayla, 13. Last year, he and Jaden played in the same team.
Muir is a drilling sales manager for Invercargill-based McNeill Drilling. on