WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Joyful Jackman Honoured With An MBE

England's world No1 squash player Cassie Jackman has been awarded an MBE ('Member of the British Empire') for her services to the sport.

The accolade, listed in the Queen's Birthday Honours earlier this month, marks an excellent year for the 31-year-old from Norfolk, who reclaimed her world number one status in February, when she also claimed a record sixth British National Squash Championship title.

Ms Jackman, who married her husband Matt in March this year, has been a professional since she was 17.  She won the World Open in 1999 and represented her country in the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and 2002, becoming the only woman to win two medals in each event.  Cassie's distinguished career on the Women's International Squash Players' Association World Tour includes 26 titles from 54 final appearances.

She said it was a "great honour" to be made an MBE.  "When I received the letter, I was over the moon," Cassie told the Eastern Daily Press in Norfolk.  "It is fantastic for me, my family and for squash.  I have just finished the season and have had a great year.  This just puts the icing on the cake."

WISPA Executive Director Andrew Shelley added:  "This recognition of Cassie's status in world squash is entirely appropriate and totally deserved.  She has won titles at all levels in her long and successful career, with more left too, I shouldn't wonder.  Hopefully, she will be able to find a convenient WISPA Tour gap to enjoy a day out at Buckingham Palace for her investiture!" 

Cassie's award marks a double Queen's Birthday Honours triumph for world squash.  Auckland's World Squash Federation Emeritus President Susie Simcock has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours announced in New Zealand.