The Barbara Cooper Award will be awarded each year to an individual who has over the years built, promoted and enhanced the game of women’s squash. This person exhibits fair play. The individual should demonstrate leadership and achievement in both their competitive and social life. This person is an inspirational role model for others to follow.
The 2011 Barbara Cooper Award recipient is Nicole Pirko. Nicole started playing squash at 8 years of age; she has played competitively provincially, nationally and internationally. Her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. Nicole runs a very successful houseleague, has T&D teams at every division, and supports squash provincially by encouraging players to play in tournaments. She also raises a significant amount of funds towards Junior Squash in Ontario through her Lee Hanebury Tournament. Her giving is ongoing.
Nicole’s excitement and leadership was also demonstrated in the acquisition of Pickering Squash Club’s doubles courts. As soon as the courts were erected, Nicole had teams entered in the T&D doubles league and was hosting provincial and local tournaments. Some of her team players had never hit a doubles ball, but she managed to get them involved and excited about doubles squash.
Leading by example, Nicole still plays league squash and has been a great role model to women at all levels. When new players come to the club, Nicole is the first to introduce them to players and to encourage them to try playing outside the club. Always exhibiting fair play and great sportsmanship, her participation in our league (and the doubles league) is very positively received.
Nicole has also demonstrated a keen interest in coaching. She holds a Level Three certification for coaching. She has coached our junior players provincially and is the coach and manager of the Ontario Women’s Squash Team. When you are coached by Nicole, everyone leaves with the feeling of “I think I can”!
Outside of the courts, Nicole has recently been busy raising a family. Her daughter Madison will surely follow Nicole’s footsteps if Nicole has anything to do with it. Watch out ladies: there is another Nicole (or two) coming up through the ranks!
Congratulations to Nicole – The 2011 Barbara Cooper Award Recipient.
