THE Wales Squash and Racketball (WSRB) annual awards were held recently at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff - with Pembroke Bush Club Coach Chris Barker receiving the Coach of the Year award in front of more than 200 people.

is a level 2 squash coach, coaching within a leisure centre environment. A lifelong player, Chris achieved his own Welsh caps playing masters squash for Wales over 65s, and he is a frequent player on the masters circuit, travelling across Europe flying the flag for Wales.

Chris still plays local squash within both the Pembrokeshire and South Wales Leagues.

Chris runs three sessions a week for juniors at Pembroke Bush Squash Club, and also supports WSRB, delivering mini squash in Pembrokeshire and beyond, and this last year more than a 1000 children have had the opportunity to partake in school programs.

The work Chris has put in at the club has ensured good policies and procedures are in place, and has also helped the group win a Wales Squash and Racketball Bronze Charter award.

WSRB Development Officer Peter Crook said: "It is really positive to see someone of this calibre giving back to his sport and passing on his wealth of knowledge to the younger generation.

“I have always found Chris willing to give up his own time to help promote our sport at club, school, and community sports days and without the likes of him, I would find it difficult to fulfil some of these commitments with often more than 200 youngsters taking part.

"Chris has certainly shown he is a valuable asset to his club and a fantastic ambassador for our sport.

"Youngsters and their parents speak highly of him, he is a fantastic mentor and role model and this award is well deserved."