As the 2024/25 Grampian Squash season comes to a close, it's a great time to reflect on what’s been a brilliant year for squash at ASV. Players from Aberdeen Sports Village Squash and Racketball Club (ASVSRC) and Aberdeen University Squash Club (AUSC) have not only competed regionally and nationally, but also helped build a welcoming, vibrant community around the sport.
AUSC’s first team had a standout season, winning the Grampian Division 1 title for the second time in three years, with ASVSRC’s first team finishing a solid fourth in a very competitive league. In Division 2, ASVSRC’s second team were crowned champions after a league ruling confirmed their well-earned top spot. In Division 3, ASVSRC were proud runners-up in the knockout finals.
Individually, AUSC players shone throughout the year. Arun Pathal, Connor Murray, and Peter Macari were all named Division 1 Players of the Month, with Peter also earning Player of the Year. Tom Clark took home the Division 1 knockout cup, and both he and Peter represented Aberdeen in the Scottish National Leagues. AUSC also won the Scottish Universities League, though narrowly missed out on the British finals after a tough match against Warwick.
One performance that truly captured the spirit of the season came from AUSC’s Findlay McDougall. In a decisive Division 1 match, with the score tied 2-2, Findlay stepped up in the final tie to beat a former Grampian top seed 3-1—securing AUSC a lead that carried them to the league title.
Off the court, ASVSRC’s junior section continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of coaches Mark Gauci and Graham Davidson, supported by a brilliant team of volunteers. Their work helps young players grow in both skill and confidence. Three of these juniors even stepped up to the senior leagues, helping secure wins in Division 3. Across Grampian and Scotland, junior members proudly earned podium finishes at various tournaments. In December, ASVSRC also hosted a successful junior interclub match play event—an exciting step toward a future Grampian-wide junior league.
This season was also about giving back. ASVSRC and AUSC joined forces to host two charity events at ASV. In September, the annual Squashathon raised awareness for Organ Donation, featuring 15 hours of continuous play, a junior session, and a fun “wooden vs. modern racket” challenge. The event ended with lively doubles and an exhibition match between Tom Clark and Connor Murray—two of Scotland’s rising stars. ASVSRC proudly displayed the Organ Donation logo on their shirts all season long.
In December, the final junior coaching session had an animal theme, where families collected donations for Mrs Murray’s Home for Stray Dogs & Cats—another touching example of how squash brings people together for a greater good.
“None of this would be possible without the dedicated individuals who give their time to organise matches, coach juniors, and captain teams. A big thank you also goes to ASV’s management and staff for their ongoing support—not just of our sport, but of the community that grows around it.” – Says, Arthur Strachan
Want to give squash or racketball a go? Rackets are available to hire at ASV Reception. Learn more at ASV Squash or, for students, AUSC.
