• Level 4 professional squash coach
  • Former Assistant National Coach
  • Best World ranking No. 16
  • National Ranking of No. 2
  • Former Squash performance director at the University of Surrey
  • Managed British Universities to World Universities Squash Championships
  • Pundit/Commentator for Sky, BBC and ITV
  • Publisher of 3 Squash Books

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Coaching Background

Ian Robinson provides Sports Management services with the emphasis on (but not limited to) Squash. He is an internationally recognised Professional Coach. He currently provides freelance tailor made squash management and coaching services. Ian can freely call on a high level of squash knowledge and experiences in providing these services and this expertise underpins vital development work within the sport.

Alongside his playing career, Ian used his teaching qualification that he achieved at Loughborough University as an eminent coach in the sport and worked as Assistant National Coach to the first ever National Coach, Tony Swift, and then alongside his successor, Peter Hartley. Qualified as a level 4 professional coach (more recently coach licensed), Ian gained wide experience of coaching not only by working with elite players but also by introducing new players to the sport at clubs such as Champneys Health Resort, The Cannons Group of Clubs and Clifford Chance Law firm. Ian also spent time working alongside Malcolm Willstrop in the formative years of the North Eastern Centre of Excellence. Ian continues to work with world-class players, and has had a hand in developing World ranked players over a long period of time.

After retiring from the World tournament circuit, Ian made his mark as a Player/Manager of teams in the England Squash, Premier Squash League. Ian spearheaded the UniSport Guildford challenge in the league and has also led challenges on behalf of the Cannons Club who were National League champions in 1987-8.

In August 2006, Ian managed the British Universities Squash team to unprecedented success in the World Universities Squash Championships. The British Team won team gold, men’s individual gold (Chris Ryder), men’s individual bronze (Joel Hinds) and women’s individual bronze (Lauren Siddall).

Ian has recently retired from his position on the Board of Directors of England Squash – the National Governing body of the sport. He was previously a Vice President of England Squash until taking up his position on the Board and is also currently Vice Chairman of Sussex Squash Rackets Association.

Playing Background

Ian played squash professionally on the international tournament circuit as a member of the International Squash Players Association.

Ian represented England and Great Britain in 55 international matches, made up of 3 World Championships, 6 European Championships and Home Internationals. He was a member of the Great Britain team that won the 1976 World Team championships in England. He also enjoyed an unbeaten run for Great Britain in the World Team Championships in Canada in 1977.

With a best ever World ranking of 16, Ian matched his commitment to the World tour with an off court role as Vice President of the International Squash Players Association. In 1979 Ian was the European Individual Grand Prix champion receiving this prestigious award at the European team championships in Brussels.

Ian’s best ever National ranking was number 2. He won a National title in the over 35 age group in 1987, as well as being a finalist in the same category at the British Open at Wembley, London in 1990.

Born and brought up in York, Ian won the Yorkshire County title on no less than 8 occasions in succession as well as helping the local club to their first ever National Club title.

Commercial Background

Ian is a television pundit for Sky television’s coverage of the WISPA world tour. He has also worked for some of the ITV companies helping not only in the commentary box, but also advising the production teams on how best to cover the sport to maximum effect on screen. Ian is frequently heard on radio having worked as a reporter with BBC local radio and more recently with Eagle FM, reporting on UniSport Guildford’s campaign in the Premier Squash League.

Ian is a published author of 3 books on squash coaching: Skilful Squash in 1990, Squash, Beyond the Basics in 1986, and Squash Guidelines Series in 1979. He has also been an occasional contributor to several squash magazines and more recently for the Squash Site web site.

The commercial side of Ian’s career includes advising companies like adidas, Dunlop, Head and Telecourt International on their strategies for meeting the needs of the squash market. His experience in event management led him to work on the 1998 British Open Squash Championships with John Beddington of Beddington Sports Management. In 1989 Ian was tournament director of the Economist Cannons Sport Club International Open, which was part of the ISPA World tour.