Squash was a fast growing sport at UCT in the 1960’s - 80’s. The courts built in 1952 above the UCT swimming pool close to the Baxter Theatre initially accommodated 3 teams – UCT, Varsity Old Boys and Warriors (returned soldiers). For a while they were the premier courts in the Province but soon became inadequate because of demand. Therefore with the development of the Indoor Sports Complex next to the rugby fields below Smuts Hall, two new courts were to be included. I was chairman of WP Squash at the time and requested a meeting with Clive Corder, Chairman of the UCT Council, (and also Hon President of WP Squash!) to present him with the squash growth statistics. He was persuaded and the result was a complete revamp of the building programme to include several extra squash courts including a glass backed main match court.

At Groote Schuur Hospital 2 squash courts were built by the mid 50’s and housed the ‘Warriors’ team that later changed its name to Groote Schuur. At first in the WP men’s 1st league squash Groote Schuur lapsed somewhat until the mid 60’s when there were sufficient good players to field a first league for several years. I captained those latter sides that included illustrious personalities like Bill Hoffenberg, later Sir Raymond, who was banned for his support of anti-apartheid activities and people. Others included Prof Pete Jackson of diabetes and Cape flowers fame, and Donal Barnes who recently won the worlds over 80’s tennis doubles championships. These courts too were much in demand and bookings were hard to obtain.

As its contribution to the UCT anniversary in 1979 the Faculty of Medicine (as it was then called) decided to raise funds for a Postgraduate Medical Education Centre that was to be tagged onto the ‘anatomy’ building. At about the same time the university agreed to fund a much need ‘refectory’ to replace the makeshift facility that used part of ‘med res.’ With the help of the UCT registrar, Len Reid, the dean, David McKenzie and I (then deputy dean) decided to use the money raised for the postgraduate centre to leverage a loan for a more ambitious project – today known as the “Barnard Fuller Building’ that houses the deans office, refectory, meeting/conference facilities, postgraduate centre (now renamed the conference management centre) and of course the 2 squash courts!

My involvement with UCT squash dates back to my medical student days when I played in the 2nd league (tennis still being my main sport) in 1957-8. On returning to Cape Town in 1966 I initially played for Groote Schuur, became chairman of WP squash and after many years as hon. president of UCT squash was elected life president of UCT squash. I represented WP for some 10 years and thereafter also WP veterans. Well earned artificial hips 17 years ago put paid to squash but I still enjoy hiking in Table Mountain. Regrettably I have lost contact with present UCT squash players.

Prof J. P. van Niekerk

8 November 2007