Robyn still living her squash dream
SQUASH: Just how much squash passion, dedication and success can a person pack into one lifetime?
In the case of Robyn Prentice, the answer is never enough.
Prentice has been in love with the game of squash for around half a century with many of her prime years spent in Toowoomba from where she rose to international success and became a household name as an ambassador for the sport.
Little has changed in Prentice’s sporting and professional life more than 30 years later.
Squash still occupies a large part of her life.
Prentice is currently head coach of Q Squash Southern Region and president of Queensland Masters Squash Association.
Prentice’s numerous squash roles necessitates visits from her Brisbane base to the Garden City where she recalled some of her career highs during a stopover last Saturday.
“During my playing days in Toowoomba I was lucky enough to have a lot of success. I did a lot of work at it,” Prentice said.
“I was fortunate to be Toowoomba champ for close on 18 years and that led me into the Queensland team for 13 years out of 15 I think, while I had two beautiful sons around then.
“My success as a player was rewarding for me but in among that I put a lot of time and effort into Toowoomba squash.
“I had a magic junior program for about four years before I went to Canada to coach over there.
“I had a system through Toowoomba and the Darling Downs where I was able to help juniors through into competitive teams.
“I had many happy years here.
“A lot of sporting champions have come out of Toowoomba.
“Rachel and Natalie Grinham came out of here.
“They achieved highly on the squash world stage a lot more than I did.
“But I chose a family as opposed to travelling internationally.
“My career was based in Australia and New Zealand pretty much and then I went on to play world titles.
“I was happy to win a world 40-plus and fortunately I was lucky enough to play my idol Heather McKay in the world 45 final.
“I was happy to win a game off her that day with a sprained ankle. She’s been my idol for years.
“So it’s been an amazing path. The journey has been a long one.”