Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Richard Caborn MP and Mike Clemson (r)

Mike Clemson was born in Hornsea in East Yorkshire in the 1940's but moved to Hull in the 1950's where he attended Hymers College. He recalls how the headmaster kept his daughter's ponies on the sports field. It was at Hymers at the age of fourteen that he first picked up a squash racquet and has been a player ever since. Playing in the Hull and District League Division One for nearly fifty years, he also plays for Ferriby Hall. He's the current title holder for the Yorkshire Over 55s and Over 60s and has won the British Open Championship for Over 65's twice in a twelve month period at the age ofΜύ 65 due to the way the championships were scheduled.

His working life has complimented his love of squash. After completing his BA in Social Studies at Hull University he worked in the voluntary sector running CVS (Councils for Voluntary Service) in Rochdale (where he met Rochdale's most famous politician, Sir Cyril Smith), York and Beverley before working for the National Association of CVS as a Development Officer.

Mike is pictured with the Minister for Sport, the Right Hon Richard Caborn MP who had performed the official opening of the new headquarters of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) which took place in July 2007 and is based in his constituency in Sheffield. Humber Squash of which Mike is associated, loaned Mini-squash equipment to demonstrate the game at the opening. Since then, with the aid of an Awards for All Grant, Humber Squash has taken the game into schools around this region.

Sport has always benefited from the voluntary sector be it from parents who support their children and older people who give their time freely to support a wide range of sporting activities and Mike says voluntary support in sport is, in his estimation, vital to bring new talent to the fore.

Although a squash player all his life, he played cricket enthusiastically for a time but says it doesn't compare with the health and fitness benefits that squash gives. He's also a keen supporter of Ferriby United and is a season ticket holder and appreciates the role the club plays in supporting Hull City.

With regard to squash he encourages former players and also new players to come forward and pick up the game and says age is no barrier. He's looking forward to playing in the Over 80s leagues in a few years time and says there are many opportunities to play at different levels for players whatever their ability. Details can be found on the Humber Squash website about how to become involved.