19/11/2025
🌟 Geoff Davenport: A Lifetime of Squash and a Finalist for NSW Masters Athlete of the Year
We are excited to share more about Geoff Davenport’s incredible journey in squash, as he has been named a finalist for the 2025 NSW Masters Athlete of the Year — the state’s highest honour recognising sporting excellence, longevity, and contribution to community sport.
The award is presented by Sport NSW as part of the prestigious NSW Sports Awards, which have celebrated the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, and organisations across the state since 1994.
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🏆 From local courts to world titles
Geoff first picked up a squash racket at 15, when a new centre opened near his home. Originally a tennis player, he was immediately captivated by the pace and precision of squash and has remained devoted to the sport ever since.
Although Geoff never played squash professionally — simply because he didn’t know it was an option growing up — he built a world-class career through passion, discipline, and self-driven learning. It took him ten years to win his first World Masters title, and from there, he never looked back.
Geoff Davenport is a seven-time World Masters Champion (2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2024) — the most titles ever won by an individual in World Masters Squash history.
The World Masters Squash Championships are held only once every two years, attracting the world’s best players aged 35 and over.
Geoff’s seven titles therefore represent more than two decades of dominance and consistency at the highest level of Masters competition.
Earlier this year, he was named by Squash Australia the 2025 Australian Masters Player of the Year, won another Australian Masters title and won at the Mumbai Masters Championships, capping off another season of excellence.
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👥 Mentor and coach to generations
Beyond his own success, Geoff has been a mentor and coach to countless players over the decades.
From 2004–2010, he served as Head Coach and Coaching Director of the South Australian Academy of Squash, where he also ran a high-performance residential training program – players lived and trained together under his guidance — fun fact Tarek Momen, Joelle King, Matt Kawalski, and Simon Carruthers have all passed through the ‘squash house’.
During that period, Geoff also led the Australian Junior Boys Team to compete at the Scottish and British Junior Opens (2005–2006) and served as Head Coach for the 2006 Trans Tasman Junior Team. He was a member of the Commonwealth Games Coaching Panel in 2010 and contributed to the National Coaching Committee and National Junior Selection Panels.
Geoff's coaching legacy remains strong today. He continues to coach juniors, including the current U11 Girls and U11 Boys Australian Junior Champions, and earlier this year coached and mentored Emmy Lamb to win both the 2025 Australian Junior Open (AJO) U19 and Oceania Junior Championships (OJC) U19.
Emmy Lamb was selected for a 2nd straight year in the Australian World Junior Team, which competed in Egypt in July 2025.
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🌱 Building the next generation
Geoff co-founded JETS Squash, a community-based junior program introducing children as young as five to squash. JETS prioritises fun, confidence, friendship, and lifelong enjoyment of the sport — with skills developing naturally through play.
In just a few years, the JETS junior program has produced three national junior champions – alongside a large group of top and enthusiastic young players:
🏅 Ben Boardman – U13 Boys (2024)
🏅 Ruisha Chu – U11 Girls (2025)
🏅 Nathan Lin – U11 Boys (2025)
“Squash brings people together,” Geoff says. “It’s a sport anyone can enjoy at any age. The friendships and community you find through squash last a lifetime.”
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💙 Championing inclusion and opportunity
Geoff also co-founded Squash Girls Can program with educator Ms Mahjabeen Siddique — a free after-school program for migrant and refugee girls that combines study support with squash lessons.
This program provides a safe, supportive environment where girls:
✨ Build confidence
✨ Improve their English
✨ Form friendships
✨ Access opportunities through sport
Squash Girls Can has been recognised in NSW Parliament by East Hills MP Kylie Wilkinson, and featured on A Current Affair for its positive impact on young women.
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🌏 Supporting underprivileged kids in India — Chance 2 Sports
In October Geoff spent three days in Mumbai, coaching young players from Chance 2 Sports, a foundation supporting underprivileged children in India.
Many of these juniors travel more than 12 hours to attend training camps , which are provided free of charge.
The Chance 2 Sports program gives them access to high-level coaching and opportunities they would never otherwise have as well as confidence and life skills and a sense of belonging through sport.
Geoff was honoured to contribute to a program that uses squash to create real opportunities and life-changing pathways.
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🎾 Still competing. Still coaching. Still inspiring.
Now in his 60s, Geoff continues to coach, mentor, and train.
As a World Squash Federation Coach Tutor, Assessor, and Presenter, he helps accredit new coaches and runs specialised Masters clinics for older players preparing for competition.
Looking ahead, Geoff already has his eyes on an eighth title at the 2026 World Masters Squash Championships, which will be held in his hometown of Perth.
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🌟 A lifetime of impact
Geoff’s recognition as a finalist for NSW Masters Athlete of the Year celebrates not only his world-class achievements but also his deep commitment to developing people and community through sport.
Geoff’s nomination reflects both sides of what the Masters Athlete of the Year recognises — exceptional competitive achievement and a sustained contribution to the sport over many years. His seven World Masters titles and decades of coaching and community involvement capture the essence of this award.
🏅 The winners of the 2025 NSW Sports Awards will be announced on Monday, 24 November at The Star, Sydney.
We are incredibly proud of Geoff and grateful for everything he brings to Squash, to JETS Squash, and to our wider community. 💚✨
📸 Photos: Geoff Davenport – seven-time World Masters Champion, coach, mentor, and finalist for NSW Masters Athlete of the Year.
