Without Ray Kerslake, ‘there would be no squash in Peterborough’
He is being inducted into the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame on June 8
This article is the third in a series profiling the 2024 Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame induction class to be honoured June 8 at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Centre. Today’s subject is Ray Kerslake, who is going in as a builder in the sport of squash.
Ray Kerslake has been described as the glue that has kept Peterborough’s squash community together.
A player and coach for more than 45 years, the Peterborough native spearheaded the campaign to start the Peterborough Squash Club (PSC) and salvage the courts GoodLife Fitness left behind when it moved from its longtime location in 2012 and didn’t bring squash to its new home. PSC is a not-for-profit club run by volunteers and had its highest registration yet of more than 130 members in 2023. He has chaired over 15 tournaments and has been a PSC Board member since 2013.
“It is the accepted fact within the squash community that, if it were not for the effort, leadership, organization and commitment of Ray Kerslake, there would be no squash in Peterborough,” states Kerslake’s Hall of Fame bio.
As a flourishing club, the PSC was recognized with the 2018 Squash Ontario “Outstanding Achievement” award. Kerslake was individually recognized for his contributions to Peterborough squash with the 2022 Squash Ontario “Outstanding Achievement” award.
“To be recognized for all the work, I’m honoured to be placed in the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame along with lots of other builders and athletes,” said Kerslake. “It means a lot to go in with Paul Wilson, who is a good friend through squash, and Tara Sharpe and Nancy Sharpe, who are also in. To get another squash player in there means a lot. It’s a sport not a whole lot of people play and a lot of people don’t know about.”
Kerslake, 69, was introduced to squash while attending university. In 1975, he joined the Peterborough Racquet Club and, for more than 45 years, he has played in many local and area tournaments; he was the Peterborough Squash Champion in 2001; he played in Ontario and Canadian Masters championships over the past 25 years, capturing bronze in Ontario in 2019 and placing fourth at the Canadians the same year. He was the 60+ winner at the Paul Wilson Squash Classic in 2018 and ’19. “I just loved the individual aspect of the sport. The strategy and tactics and the exercise involved,” he said.
Kerslake’s passion for the sport has translated into him taking on a leadership role within the Peterborough squash community. He has achieved Level 1 and 2 Squash Ontario coaching certification. He continues to teach juniors and adults, which he has done for over 40 years, including a few athletes who went on to be successful at the national and international level such as fellow Hall of Famer Tara Sharpe and perhaps future inductee Jacqui Inward.
A Squash57 program for young adults with developmental disabilities was established in 2021. He was club pro at GoodLife Fitness; he took over as lead person for the intercity league (Kawartha Squash League); in 2010, he formed the KSL, a competitive league for Aand B-level teams from clubs in the area, Peterborough, Cobourg, Campbellford, YMCA, Trent University and Clarington.
Coaching took over from playing as his true passion. “I just want to share my knowledge with other people so they could enjoy the game more,” he said. “My belief is people will give up something if they don’t improve and have a true passion for it. I wanted people to see a bit of improvement so they would continue to play.”
He launched “The Squash Shop” at the PSC in 2013, which provides high-quality equipment and racquet stringing for members and local squash players at reasonable prices.
‘‘ To get another squash player in there means a lot. It’s a sport not a whole lot of people play and a lot of people don’t know about.
RAY KERSLAKE