Geoffrey Kingscote

Though he was nearly 44, Kingscote used the squash skills he’d learned while growing up in England to outclass the field. Kingscote had attended Eton College and improved his squash when he joined the prestigious Bath club in London.

Few in Christchurch had seen the range of drop shots and boasts that were part of the Kingscote repertoire.

After serving with distinction in World War I, he returned to New Zealand and became a leading accountant.

He was in the vanguard of a group of good Canterbury squash players in the 1920s.

Kingscote was elected president of the New Zealand Squash Rackets Association when it was formed in 1932 and remained in that role until his health deteriorated in 1947.

He continued to play in national championships with some success until nearly 50 and spearheaded an attempt in the 1930s to set up Christchurch’s first public club.

His leadership was largely instrumental in squash resuming after World War II.

He became the first life member of the New Zealand association in 1947 and died in 1949, aged 60.