‘It feels like home’, says new squash centre manager

RETURNING to the Bendigo Squash Centre for the first time in more than a decade feels like a homecoming for newly appointed centre manager Allison Gook.

A proud former Bendigo Hopman Country Cup representative and a multiple club championship winner in her playing prime, Gook has settled into the managerial role as if she had never been away.

She is hoping to lead a bright new era for squash in Bendigo, marked by growth of not only the sport, but the centre itself.

The Bendigo Squash Centre currently has seven courts, used by a membership base of about 120 and social players, ranging from various pennant levels to children, beginners and casual users.

It is also home to a humming racquet ball scene.

Gook is fiercely proud of her squash origins and admits it was a buzz walking back through the doors of the centre where she once forged a reputation as one of the region’s best players and where old photos of her still adorn the upstairs walls and her name is etched on the honour boards.

“It was a real buzz; they were great times and are still great memories,” she said.

“I grew up playing squash, and so did my sisters; one of them, Lyndal, is still playing up in Queensland.

“I was here probably playing squash three times a week and represented Bendigo five or so times at the inter-regional Hopman Cup, but at 17 and 18 I had back injuries and left squash.

“I have had a few hits over the years, but nothing major.

“I am amazed how many people still play squash that I played with back when I was a kid.

“There is still a massive amount.

“Our oldest player here is 83 and he plays multiple times a week, so anyone can play.”

Three weeks into the role, Gook is eager to make use of her strengths in growing businesses, traits that came to the fore in her former role as the centre manager of the Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre, which took big steps forward during her 15 months at the helm.

A former regional tennis representative, she finds herself with a similar feeling of going ‘full circle’ by returning to her squash roots, just as she did when she took over at the tennis centre at the start of 2023.

“It (squash) was such a big part of my life, so I would love to get squash back to how it was back when I was a player,” she said.

“The courts were always full and we all went on bus trips together; it was incredibly social.

 

“It was an amazing time. And it’s still a vibrant and social game here in Bendigo.

“It’s of one of those games – it’s an individual game when you are on the court, but it’s a team sport, as you are part of a team and part of the community here.”

Gook said her time at the Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre had provided the perfect grounding into what was required in the management role and importantly how to prepare for the challenges ahead.

She is determined to meet them head-on.

“It was great to get back into tennis as well,” Gook said.

“There are always challenges when you come into a new role and I think overcoming those challenges is something I strive to do.

“We very much did that at the tennis centre and we will endeavour to do that here.

“I see it like another homecoming, which is nice.

“I’m loving seeing so many familiar faces and meeting the new generation as well.

“I feel like I have come home.

“I have spent so much time here and it’s such a nice feeling coming back and seeing people enjoying themselves.”

Among the priorities she has set herself are boosting the club’s membership base and increasing the number of competition players, as well as luring a few more good sponsors.

“We already have some great sponsors, but we’d love to get a few more on board,” she said.

“These courts have been here so long, so I think it’s about getting people to invest back into their community.

“We do have a lot of people come through here, so having the company name at the bottom and the top of the courts, it’s very visible.

“I feel we are more than prepared to give back to our sponsors.”

While squash will be her primary focus leading into Christmas and beyond, Gook is especially excited by one upcoming side venture.

An accomplished and popular musician, she will be the featured performer this Friday night at the City of Greater Bendigo’s lighting of the Christmas tree at Rosalind Park.

The festivities will take place from 6.30pm to 9pm and will include roving Christmas characters, face painters, entertainers and Christmas carols.

The tree will be lit at 8.45pm.