Don Green
A Good Southern Man
Don Green was a product of Timaru, but has spent most of his life in Dunedin. He received a solid grounding in the basics of the game from famed Timaru coach Wazzie Wilson, and he went on to become one of New Zealand’s leading players throughout the 1950s. He won the national title in 1956, beating Norm Coe in the final.
He had been a promising athlete and tennis player, but squash became his No 1 game. On the court, Green was noted for his retrieving ability, sharp reflexes and skilled volleying. Though he was a strong supporter of Otago squash, and helped regenerate the game there in the 1960s, he always had a good national perspective on squash.
He was on the national association’s management committee from the late 1960s until 1974 and was its president in 1972- 73. He became the New Zealand delegate to the International Squash Rackets Federation from 1975-81 and was accorded life membership of the national association in 1976.