A GRANDFATHER who lives “a forehand drive away” from Haddington’s squash courts has been recognised for his services to the sport.
Ron Pearman has become a key fixture in Scotland’s squash scene since taking up the sport while working in Aberdeenshire in his early thirties.
Since then, over nearly 50 years, he has played, coached and refereed the sport, as well as representing Scotland and going on to become president of Scottish Squash.
Now, he has been awarded the Services to Squash Award after decades of promoting the sport.
Ron, whose grandsons Dylan and Jamie have represented Scotland at under-15s level, took up the sport after moving north to Ellon.
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He said: “Up until then, we lived in Somerset, where I used to play badminton.
“Squash did not appear to exist down there at all. It was a new sport and there were no squash courts down in that area.
“One of the contractors at Peterhead Power Station played this game at a sports centre, which was squash.
“I sort of took it up with great enthusiasm.”
Interest in the sport has grown and Ron continues to be heavily involved at Tyne District Squash Club, where coaching is on offer.
He told the Courier how he loved the “competitive side” of the sport and revealed how previously the person delivering post would be busy.
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He said: “When I came to Haddington, I played league squash for the team but in no time at all was co-opted to the East of Scotland Squash League as match secretary.
“At that time, we had 10 or 11 leagues and three or four ladies' leagues.
“On a Monday, I would get 50 or so postcards through the front door for 20 weeks of the season.
“I got the postcards through and would speak to a guy in Edinburgh who would enter the results into a spreadsheet for each match.”
It was working at Torness Power Station, near Dunbar, that brought the Pearmans to East Lothian.
However, it was “pure luck” that saw him move to Millfield – just yards from the town’s squash courts.
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He said: “I wanted to live in Haddington and did not want to live in North Berwick or Berwick-upon-Tweed.
“There were a lot of people from Torness that lived there but I wanted to live in Haddington.
“We came and found there was housing getting built opposite the sports centre.
“It had a big garden and I am a keen gardener so there was no doubt about it!”
A spokesperson for Squash Scotland offered their congratulations to Ron, who was previously the governing body’s president for four years from 2009 to 2013.
They said: “Ron has been involved in squash for over 48 years, as a player, coach and referee, coaching juniors who have represented Scotland nationally and internationally.
“He is a previous board member, vice president and president of Scottish Squash, has represented Scotland at masters level, has been involved in multiple projects to promote sports and continues to coach Tyne's junior section.
“He is also recognised on the wall of honour at Meadowbank Sports Stadium.
“Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the game over the years, Ron!”
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