In a shock move Stuart Courtney, the Chief Executive of the SRA (England Squash) has resigned. Courtney has led the association through a difficult period for several years and follows a number of the association's heads who have had short periods of tenure. He will leave the association on 31st August.

His imminent departure came as a shock to staff. "It hurts.There have been a lot of improvements especially on the international side. He has done a fantastic job for the organisation," said a senior member of staff.

Courtney, a former leading player and England's most successful squash manager was seen by many as a modernising influence with a robust management style. He termed the departure 'disappointing' and perhaps had the feeling that he was not receiving the support at board level that he should have. Courtney commuted from Surrey to Manchester to fulfil his office based duties and this is said to have put added strain on his role.

"It was becoming difficult. It got silly. People were not supportive. A lot of people didn't see the bigger picture. I have had a lot of support from John Treharne and working with the counties was great," said Courtney to The Squash Player.

The England Squash chairman John Treharne praised the Chief Executive's role : "Stuart's contribution has been considerable. He has improved the perception of the SRA in counties and clubs. In the past there has been the criticism that there has not been enough presence. He has spent an inordinate amount of time visiting counties and clubs and turned this perception around. He has also been extremely helpful in appointing a regional development team."

"There have been difficulties in recent years securing sponsorship for the British Open and in keeping events on and he has managed this very well. One of his other big contributions was in extracting the association from the Acton headquarters, relocating it to Manchester and eventually to the new centre for the Commonwealth Games."

The association has been plagued by declining membership and revenue and the still faces the perennial problem of funding high profile international events. It thought it had found a saviour for these events in Fablon/Eye Group, the sports rights acquisition group that has obtained rights to the SRA events, but this relationship has proved a fraught one that has all but broken down. Although the group has sponsored three British Opens, the revenue coming to the association form the rights sale of the SRA's events has not been forthcoming in full and this has put considerable pressure on the finances of the association.

Courtney wanted to see a more modern SRA and perhaps he was at loggerheads with the traditionalists. As England manager he was opened up to more international influences and was behind the name change of the traditional body to that of England Squash.

Following his departure the associations chairman John Treharne will take on a more hands on role.

"We will take stock of the situation and we will advertise the position at a suitable juncture. We could look to replace Stuart over the next 3-6 months," said Treharne. SRA Statement, from Chairman John Treharne Stuart Courtney has resigned his position as Chief Executive of England Squash and his last day in post will be the 31st August 2001. John Treharne, Chair of the Association, paid tribute to Stuart saying:

"During his time in office, he has worked hard at fostering better relationships between the governing body and our affiliated clubs, counties and individual members and was also responsible for bringing major sponsorship into the British Open, an enjoyable but difficult task. He has worked hard at the introduction of a new membership scheme, a scheme that has to succeed in order for England Squash to gain a far more solid financial base and one that will start to roll out during the next few months.

Stuart should also be remembered for his role in the nineties as manager of very successful England teams, a role that I know he got enormous amounts of joy from. I also know that he will be sad at missing England's involvement in the 2002 Commonwealth Games and at seeing the Association move into its new headquarters next year, at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

I hope you will join me in wishing him all the very best wherever his future career takes him".
from: The SquashPlayer Magazine  

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