THE Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) Tuesday night honoured five stalwarts for their outstanding contributions to the development of the sport in Jamaica.

Outstanding player and coach Karen Anderson; former Jamaica and Caribbean number one Marlene West and record-maker Bruce Bicknell were saluted for their exceptional playing careers.

In the same vein, administrators Douglas Beckford and Gill Binnie were lauded for their dedicated leadership which has steered the JSA for more than 30 years.

With a record 12 All-Jamaica Women’s titles and a distinguished career in coaching and referring, Anderson was hailed as “a fearless champion who dominated the women’s game”.

Similarly, “golden girl” West, who won five All-Jamaica titles, four Caribbean Championships and was ranked as high as number 71 in the world, was lauded as a “a gifted sportswoman, an indomitable competitor and a true champion”.

Not to be outdone by his former female teammates, squash ace Bruce Bicknell was recognised for his “slate of unmatched accomplishments”. Bicknell won a total of eight All-Jamaica Men’s titles, six of which came consecutively, earning him the record for the longest-running winning streak in the JSA’s history.

Veteran player and long-time JSA administrator Gill Binnie was recognised for “diligently managing administrative affairs”. Binnie, who also served repeatedly as coach and manager for the Junior National Team, was also commended “for dedicated mentorship of generations of players”.

JSA also had high praises for long-time player and long-serving president Douglas Beckford. Beckford, who has served on the JSA executive since its inception in 1980, was president of the association for 24 years and also held positions on a number of the sport’s regional and international administrative entities.

JSA recognised him for “his unbroken service to the governing body of squash in Jamaica” and his role as “ambassador-at-Large in the regional and international squash community”.

The five honorees were feted at an award ceremony which was held at the Liguanea Club in Kingston. At the ceremony, JSA president Major John Nelson expressed the association’s gratitude to the awardees.

“Each of our honorees has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of squash in Jamaica and in doing so they have left an indelible impression on the sport and the JSA,” he said.