Susan (Susie) Simcock (1938-2020)

The squash world lost its unarguably most influential woman when New Zealand’s Susie Simcock passed away at the age of 82 on May 29, 2020. Suzie was a trail blazer with an infectious smile who opened doors and made a tremendous impact on squash and the squash community worldwide.

She began playing squash at university while studying to be a physiotherapist. It didn’t take long for Susie to take on major roles; manager of the NZ teams at World Squash Championships, Championship Director of the 1987 Women’s World Open & Team Championship in Auckland.

1998 World Junior Championship- Princeton, NJ, USA (1st Junior World Championship) Fernando ‘Fefe’ Mont’Alverne, RIP, Brazil (President of Confederacion Brasilera de Squash), Susie Simcock (President WSF), and Francisco Paradisi, Venezuela (FPS Director for the Caribbean and President of Squash Venezuela)

In 1989 Mrs. Simcock was elected as a World Federation Vice-President and seven years later became the first female, and so far the only female, to be elected President of the World Squash Federation. Susie was one of the most popular Presidents reigning from 1996-2002 and finally stepped down after serving the maximum allowable three two year terms and was honoured with the status of Emeritus President.

Susie forged the strong relationships with key Olympic members, particularly President Jacques Rogge, and was instrumental in the vote for squash to be included in the London Olympic Games of 2012. Unfortunately, the decision was subsequently overturned on a technicality.

“Susie was a pioneer in the world of sport and especially in squash,” said WSF President Jacques Fontaine. “As the first female president of the WSF she paved the way towards establishing squash as one of the main racket sports in the world.

1999 Pan Am Games- Winnipeg, Canada. Front Row: Sergio Rodriquez, RIP, Colombia (President FPS), Susie Simcock (President WSF), Claudio Fontanazzi, Argentina (FPS Director for South America and President of the Asociación Argentina de Squash Rackets, AASR) Back Row- Dr. Anne Smith, Canada (Past President Squash Canada) and Francisco Paradisi, Venezuela (FPS Director for the Caribbean and President of Squash Venezuela)

FPS President Francisco Paradisi, a long time friend and colleague of Mrs. Simcock was deeply saddened by the news of her passing saying “Susie was an extraordinary person, dear and admired by those of us who were fortunate enough to meet her, great sportswoman and connoisseur of squash, unconditional friend who will always be in our hearts. God have you in his glory, Rest in Peace dear Susie”.

Another one of Mrs. Simcock’s pastimes was golf. She was an outstanding all round athlete with high energy and unequivocal sportsmanship ethics and enjoyed the outdoors. One could not help but have fun with her on the links.

“I first met Susie at the 2002 World Hardball Doubles in Toronto and like everyone else was immediately blessed with her friendship. The last time we connected was in Christchurch during the 2013 WSF AGM where we shared in a round of golf and another wee drink together. My heart goes out to her husband and family as she was certainly the shining superstar in their lives. Susie has left a massive void around the world in the hearts of all who knew her, but she has also given us some incredible and unforgettable memories.” said Lolly Gillen, Secretary General FPS.

2002 World Hardball Doubles- Toronto, Canada. Susie Simcock (President WSF), Lolly Gillen, Joyce Buckley (VP WSF), Jahangir Khan (VP WSF)

2002 World Hardball Doubles- Toronto, Canada. Lolly Gillen, Barbara Cooper (40+ Champions) Ward Meek (Tournament Chair) Susie Simcock (President WSF), Molly Downer & Sara Luther (Finalists)

Some of Mrs. Simcock’s accomplishments include:

Governor of New Zealand’s Sports Foundation chair
New Zealand Olympic Committee’s Women in Sport Committee member
The first female council member of the General Assembly of International Sporting Federations
Leading role in uniting the NZ male and female golf federations
Governor for the International Masters Games Association
Executive member of the NZ Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association (Life membership award in 1996)
Holder of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Distinguished service award of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Recipient of the IOC Women in Sport Award

True to Susie’s amazing persona, when recently diagnosed with terminal malignant duodenum tumour she decided instead of wasting time on cancer treatments to cherish what precious time she had left with her remarkable best friend and loving husband Jon, their children and grandchildren; an unbelievable mother, wife and grandmother.

A good friend and former Chief Executive of the WSF Andrew Shelley expressed the tragic loss as,

“Susie has been a friend, a beacon, an inspiration and a role model for countless people, who, along with her family, have had a tear ripped into their lives. She once said that all through her career she had been breaking down barriers, encouraging more sports to have women in their leadership roles. Susie Simcock will be fondly and enduringly remembered for not just succeeding, but for simply being a totally special person too.”

May she rest in peace.

https://www.squashlibrary.info/post/susie-simcock

https://www.worldsquash.org/wsf-mourns-former-president-susie-simcock/

El mundo del squash perdió a la mujer inconfundiblemente más influyente que ha tenido nuestro deporte, Susie Simcock, neozelandesa, falleció a la edad de 82 años el 29 de mayo de 2020. Susie era una persona bondadosa con una sonrisa contagiosa, abrió puertas e hizo un tremendo impacto en el squash y la comunidad de squash en todo el mundo.

Comenzó a jugar squash en la universidad mientras estudiaba para ser fisioterapeuta. Susie no tardo mucho tiempo para asumir papeles importantes; gerente de los equipos de Nueva Zelanda en el Campeonato Mundial de Squash, directora del Campeonato Mundial Femenino de squash, Auckland 1987.

En 1989 la Sra. Simcock fue elegida vicepresidenta de la World squash Federation (WSF) y siete años más tarde se convirtió en la primera mujer, y hasta ahora la única mujer, en ser elegida Presidenta de la World squash Federation (WSF). Susie fue muy querida y exsitosa en su gestión el la WSF entre 1996 y 2002; Susie se retira de la WSF después de cumplir los máximos tres plazos permitidos de dos años y fue honrada con el estatus de Presidente Emérito.

Susie forjó una fuerte relación con miembros del Comité Olimco Internacional, particularmente con el presidente Jacques Rogge, y fue fundamental en la votación para que el squash fuera incluido en los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres de 2012. Desafortunadamente, la decisión fue posteriormente anulada por un tecnicismo.

“Susie fue pionera en el mundo del deporte y especialmente en el squash”, dijo el presidente de la WSF, Jacques Fontaine. “Como la primera mujer presidenta de la WSF allanó el camino hacia el establecimiento del squash como uno de los principales deportes de raqueta en el mundo.

El presidente de FPS, Francisco Paradisi, un viejo amigo y colega de la señora Simcock estaba profundamente entristecido por la noticia de su fallecimiento diciendo “Susie fue una extraordinaria persona, querida y admirada por los que tuvimos la fortuna de conocerla, gran deportista y conocedora del squash, amiga incondicional que siempre estará en nuestros corazones. Dios te tenga en su gloria, Descansa en Paz querida Susie.”

Otro de los pasatiempos de la señora Simcock era el golf. Ella era una atleta excepcional todo el mundo con alta energía y la ética de deportividad inequívoca y disfrutaba al aire libre. Uno no pudo evitar tener diversión con ella en los enlaces.

“Conocí a Susie en el World Hardball Doubles 2002 en Toronto y como todos los demás fueron inmediatamente bendecidos con su amistad. La última vez que nos conectamos fue en Christchurch durante el 2013 WSF AGM compartiendo una ronda de golf y otra bebida juntos. Mi sentido pésame a su marido y a su familia, ya que ella era sin duda la superestrella brillante en sus vidas. Susie ha dejado un enorme vacío alrededor del mundo en los corazones de todos los que la conocieron, pero también nos ha dejado unos recuerdos inolvidables” dijo Lolly Gillen, Secretaria General FPS.

Algunos de los logros de la Sra. Simcock incluyen:

Governor of New Zealand’s Sports Foundation chair
New Zealand Olympic Committee’s Women in Sport Committee member
The first female council member of the General Assembly of International Sporting Federations
Leading role in uniting the NZ male and female golf federations
Governor for the International Masters Games Association
Executive member of the NZ Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association (Life membership award in 1996)
Holder of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Distinguished service award of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Recipient of the IOC Women in Sport Award

Fiel a la increíble personalidad de Susie, cuando recientemente se le diagnosticó un tumor maligno terminal en el duodeno, decidió en lugar de perder tiempo en tratamientos contra el cáncer por pasar el valioso tiempo que le quedaba con su notable mejor amigo y amoroso esposo Jon, sus hijos y nietos; una madre, esposa y abuela increíbles.

Un buen amigo y ex director ejecutivo de la WSF Andrew Shelley expresó la lamentable pérdida como:

“Susie ha sido una amiga, un faro, una inspiración y un módelo a seguir para innumerables personas, que, junto con su familia, están de luto por su partida. Una vez dijo que durante toda su carrera había estado rompiendo barreras, animando a más deportes a tener mujeres en sus roles de liderazgo. Susie Simcock será recordada con cariño no sólo tener éxito, sino simplemente por ser una persona totalmente especial también”.

Que descanse en paz.

https://www.squashlibrary.info/post/susie-simcock

https://www.worldsquash.org/wsf-mourns-former-president-susie-simcock/