Colin Clapper

Country of Origin: Australia

Year: 2005

Col Clapper has a long association with the sport, both as a player and an administrator.  He was an A Grade squash player in Brisbane and played competitively for almost 40 years. 

Col became involved in the administration of squash firstly at Club level and in 1966 was elected to the Committee of the Brisbane & District Squash Rackets Association.  He served as President of the BDSRA for 19 years and held the position of Chairman of Directors of BDSRC Limited from 1979 to 1987.

He was Vice President of Queensland Squash for a number of years, and Executive Chairman, and then Vice President, of Squash Australia from 1976 to 1990. 

When the Oceania Squash Federation was formed in 1992 Col was the foundation Executive Director and in 1995 was elected to the dual role of President/ Executive Director, a position he held until 2011 when he was elected President for a further twelve months. Col retired from OSF at the 2012 General Meeting.

He was also involved in Tournament Management throughout the years.  In 1966 he was both a player and organiser at the 1966 Australian Squash Championships, and was the Organising Chairman of the 1979 World Teams & Individual Championships and the 1986 World Junior Men’s Teams & Individual Championships held in Australia.

He also managed Australian Men’s teams to International events and represented Australia at World Squash Meetings.

Col’s commitment to the sport in a voluntary capacity has been recognised with Life Memberships of the various organisations where he was involved:

• 1971 – Kangaroo Squash Club
• 1984 – Brisbane & District Squash Rackets Association
• 1986 – Squash Australia
• 2005 – Oceania Squash Federation
• 2006 – Squash Queensland

In addition he has received several awards for his dedication to the sport:

• 2000 – Australian Sports Medal
• 2008 – Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
• 2011 – “Services to Squash Award” by the World Squash Federation

In 2008 he was accepted as a member of the Order of Australia Association.

He has combined his involvement in sport with a successful career in the Public Sector where he held senior positions in the areas of computing, public administration, project management and policy advice. In 1985 Col was appointed a Justice of the Peace and continues to act in that capacity.

Col is married to Lorel and has two children, Angela and Mark and four grandchildren. 

Col is a worthy recipient of OSF Life Membership in recognition of his service to the sport of squash, particularly to the administration, development and promotion of the game.