KEY POINTS:
Former Squash New Zealand chief executive Robin Espie has returned to the sport to head its high performance programme.
Espie, a lawyer, will begin immediately, bringing with him nearly 30 years of involvement with the sport.
"I'm delighted to be asked to help," he said.
"Squash has enjoyed many international successes in the past, but now we have to redouble our efforts for the future. One of the keys is strong player support and mentoring from an early age."
As a player he represented New Zealand at junior, under-21 and senior levels, and was a member of the New Zealand team who competed at the 1979 World Amateur Championships in Australia.
Between 1979 and 1984 he played and coached in Europe before moving into the commercial world.
In 1986 he returned to New Zealand to take up the CEO role with Squash NZ.
"It is exciting to have someone of Robin's calibre step in after losing some key high performance staff in the last 12 months," said current CEO Mike Thompson.
"Robin will be looking to build on last year's Commonwealth Games success and the strong programme Squash has built to date.
"Just as important will be our ability to develop our emerging talent, highlighted by our Junior Girls team who are third seeds for the world championships in Hong Kong next month."
Squash NZ has also contracted Lindsey Walters as coach development officer.
- NZPA
