Former World No.112 Heather Pilley discussed coaching and her passion for squash ahead of her debut at the World Squash Masters Championships in front of her home crowd this August.
The 34-year-old, soon to be 35, will compete on the international stage in Perth, Australia, alongside hundreds of squash players, all battling it out in their respective categories for the title of World Squash Masters Champion.
And with Pilley set to make her debut in the Women’s Over 35’s category, she reflected on her squash journey that started nearly 35 years ago (literally) at her parents’ squash club in Yamba, in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.
“I was born into the sport,” she said: “I fell in love with squash from an early age, and growing up with a squash court right next door was quite ideal. The best memory was having access all the time, and we never really knew how lucky we were.
“Looking back at it now, that was amazing. And I know it wouldn’t be normal for most people, but growing up hearing squash balls hitting the walls as I fell to sleep was a comforting feeling.”
