Squash Canada Announces The Hiring Of Former Malaysian National Team Coach Jamie Hickox
August 7, 2011 - Squash Canada today announced the hiring of former Malaysian National Coach, Jamie Hickox as the new Performance Director for Squash Canada. Beginning in September 2011, Hickox will be based in the Toronto area and will work out of the National Squash Academy.
One of the most recognizable Squash Professionals in the world, Jamie Hickox was born in England and is a dual Canadian / British Citizen. Hickox, 47, was ranked among the Top 15 professionals on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour and played professional from 1982 - 1997 representing Great Britain at the World Team Championships in 1985 and later on for Canada at the 1993 World Team Championships.
The hiring of Jamie Hickox brings instant credibility to Squash Canada's Performance Program. "Jamie brings a wealth of experience both as a player and coach, and his proven track record leading Malaysian Squash will help Squash Canada improve its position on the international stage. As we embark under new organizational direction, we felt bringing someone with international creditability was important. Jamie's knowledge of Canadian squash and the Canadian Sport System is very beneficial to Squash Canada as we move forward", said Squash Canada Executive Director, Danny Da Costa.
From 1993 - 1997, Jamie was the Malaysian National Coach. After holding the position of Squash Director at the Merion Cricket Club in the USA. Hickox later returned to Malaysia to complete his second stint from 2006 - 2010. "Jamie played an instrumental role in the growth and success of Malaysian Squash. Under his leadership Malaysia has produced World Champions at the Junior and Senior level, and continue to be perennial contender at world championships", said Da Costa.
Hickox's coaching resume includes top athletes from Malaysia's National Squash such as, Nicol David, Mohd Azlan, and Ong Beng Hee among others. Malaysia is regarded as one of the leading squash nations in the world producing World's #1 ranked female player Nicol David, Low Wee Wern #15, Delia Arnold #23, Siti Munirah Jusoh #47 and male players Mohd Azlan Iskandar #10, Ong Beng Hee #29, Mohad Nafizwan Adnan #45. Under Hickox's leadership as National Coach, Malaysia has also finished as high as #3 in the World at the 2006 World Junior Men's Team Championship, 3rd at the 2006 World Women's Team Championships, 2nd at the 2007 World Junior Women Team Championships and 5th at the 2007 World Men's World Team Championship. He also coached Ong Beng Hee to a world junior squash championship and British Junior Open in 1998.
“I look forward to working with Squash Canada Board of Directors and staff to deliver their vision for performance and I am especially excited to see a thriving program already in place at the National Squash Academy at Downsview Park. There are a number of young NSA athletes training daily who have the potential to take Canadian Squash to higher levels. It is my feeling that Canada could become a strong contender in the top 4 at the World Team Championships, and last year's 3rd place finish for the Junior boys is an excellent step toward this mission. I also look forward to immersing myself into the larger squash community to see who would like to join us in our mission to become highly respected and feared throughout the globe“, said new Squash Canada Performance Director Jamie Hickox.
Squash Canada has worked very hard over the past twelve months to rebuild the organization and develop a new philosophy towards excellence. "We are thrilled to bring in an experienced world class talent such as Jamie Hickox to help shape Squash Canada's performance program", said Squash Canada President Bob Wyma. Squash Canada conducted a thorough international search for a proven squash leader and we were fortunate to have found Hickox. "This hire will help guide Squash Canada's performance program and Hickox will work closely with players, coaches and our Provincial and Territorial partners towards building a system which produces future Canadian Squash Champions who are capable of podium finishes at the World level", said Da Costa.
Jamie will be based out of the National Squash Academy in Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario.
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