Sport In Profile UK Issue 14 | Page 9

Duffield Squash and Racketball Club kitchen which enables us to support many events; dances, musical evenings, quiz nights, wine tasting, birthday parties to mention but a few. Unfortunately, the world of squash is not without its challenges for all clubs. The sport has been in slow decline for the last few years and the loss of squash as an Olympic sport several years ago was a real blow and lowered our exposure to the public. We are still in the Commonwealth Games, however, and DSRC continues to lobby to get squash reinstated in the Olympics. Apart from the obvious aim to stay at the top of the national squash game, the specific challenges for DSRC in the next few years will be to encourage more youngsters, particularly females to join the club and to ensure that we keep abreast with an increasing amount of legislation, for example, that relating to health and safety and child protection. We also have an ongoing programme of keeping our facilities up to date and in first class order. I am now retired from full-time work and, having previously been the club secretary, I have now moved on to the role of treasurer. This certainly keeps me on my toes, balancing the books to meet the strict accounting requirements and continually looking for opportunities to maximise our available income whilst maintaining affordable subscription fees. There are many advantages in being the treasurer; I get to know most of the members and I feel that I am in a position to make a real difference. I even get to sample the beer! I would certainly recommend squash and racketball as a great way to keep fit and to mix socially with interesting people of all ages. Come and join us! We believe strongly in understanding the needs of both trade and DIY and our business is developed specifically to meet those demands - massive stocks, top quality products, competitive pricing, reliable delivery, specialist staff and exceptional customer service. Sponsoring Duffield Squash Club 01773 822 804 BUILDBASE.CO.UK GOODS ROAD, BELPER DERBYSHIRE, DE56 1UU Article provided by Bob Allen, Treasurer Duffield Squash and Racketball Club Proud sponsors of Duffield Squash Club, Air-IT is an award-winning IT and Communications provider, which helps businesses take advantage of technology to achieve growth and success. Founded in 2005, Air-IT’s Founder and CEO, Todd McQuilkin and Managing Director, James Healey first met on the squash court. Both avid players, the duo have since steered the firm to its current position as a world-leading Managed Service Provider ranked 12th in the UK and East Midlands no.1. More than a decade later, Air-IT currently delivers managed ICT services, solutions and outsourced support to over 400 SME clients, in the East Midlands and nationwide with the support of 45 full-time employees. Still a regular player at Duffield and a former County player, James will be a familiar face to many at the club. Sport in Profile Magazine recently caught up with him to find out more: “I’ve played squash since I was a youngster, and as a club Duffield genuinely attracts some of the best players out there. It’s a great place to enjoy racket sports, and being one of the best in the country it’s our continued pleasure to associate with them as club sponsors”. www.sportip.biz 9