About Us

Mission Statement
The players participating in the BC Honda Vancouver Squash League are amateurs that are playing because of a love for the game of squash. Participants, spectators, and members the BC Honda Vancouver Squash League are expected to always treat opponents, officials and spectators with the utmost courtesy, hospitality, and good sportsmanship.

Philosophy
The VSL expects all matches and games to be played with a spirit of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the player NOT the referee. Highly competitive play is encouraged but never at the expense of mutual respect among competitors. If you play in our league you love the game of squash and you know the rules. The VSL aims to ensure that all players can have a competitive evening of squash followed by an enjoyable session of socializing.

We hope that when you step on court it’s to enjoy yourself. Unsportsmanlike conduct on court such as taunting your opponent, dangerous aggression, belligerent intimidation, disrespecting the referee, intentional infractions or other ‘win-at-all-costs’ behavior are contrary to the spirit of the game and MUST be avoided by all players. It is expected that the same code of conduct be applied to spectators as well.

The BC Honda Vancouver Squash League is an adult league that encourages the participation of juniors. Captains should be aware that there are issues, primarily around the socializing side of league that may need to be addressed when juniors are playing in an adult oriented league. It is the responsibility of the Captain/Club Rep to be aware of these issues and to make all expectations known to the junior(s) playing on the team.

The VSL Season
The BC Honda Vancouver Squash League starts play in the early Fall and ends in the Spring.

Costs to Join
 The BC Honda Vancouver Squash League charges each team $190 for the season. The fees cover administrative costs, prizes and the season-ending “Wrap Party” for all participants. The VSL presents their budget each year at the AGM where it is ratified by the membership.
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The History of the VSL (A work in progress)
The BC Honda Vancouver Squash League has been active in British Columbia since the 1960’s when it was a part of the BC Squash Racquets Association (now known simply as Squash BC).

At that time the game was hardball. In 1977 a summer softball league was started and in 1978 a winter softball league was added. Tim Bale was both the President and Treasurer at the time of the “historic Evergreen meeting” that spawned the new league.

Today the VSL is still a non-profit organization run run by volunteers. The VSL Board (listed below) is voted in during their annual general meeting which is usually held between March and June. If you wish to serve on the board please inform the League Coordinator prior to the AGM.

Our league functions under the auspices of Squash BC which is a registered non-profit society dedicated to the “Promotion, Growth, and Organization” of squash in British Columbia. All players in the Vancouver Squash League are required to be members of Squash BC. (Why should I join Squash BC?)

The VSL thanks Greg Longster for suggesting the idea of having the finals of the Open and Women’s division playoffs played the night of the Wrap Party.

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The BCH VSL Board

The BC Honda Vancouver Squash League (BCH VSL) is a separate entity from Squash BC and from Quick Draws. Quick Draws is a program used to keep statistics and as a ranking system for Squash BC, for the VSL, and for other squash leagues.

Board Structure
The BCH VSL is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. We encourage participation from all our member clubs to ensure strong representation for all our Membership.

We currently have nine board members and two vacant positions, Junior and Women’s Representative.

Our Role
The VSL Board represents the public face of the BC Honda Vancouver Squash League, setting and implementing the policies which govern our league. We are also a working board, and our Directors hold portfolios and manage the various areas of our operations. We expect our Directors to conduct themselves with professional decorum and respect. While we are not in a paid position, the level of responsibility that our Directors hold is the equivalent to management within a small-sized business.

About the Board
The decision to join the Board involves a moderate time commitment. Likely, you have already been involved with your Club on some level, and would like to increase your role within the league. We appreciate the commitment you are making.

A few points to keep in mind:
• The Board meets four times a year during the season. These meeting are currently held at the Vancouver Racquets Club - 4867 Ontario Street, Vancouver.
• When warranted, the Board may agree to hold additional meetings, e.g., to manage workload, attend training, or complete specific tasks.
• Most work is completed via time sensitive email so access to a computer is essential.

Board members are committed to:
• Accomplishing our tasks in a timely and complete manner;
• Maintaining board confidentiality;
• Understanding the rules of the league;
• Adding and amending rules, as necessary;
• Enforcing the rules of the league when they come to the attention of the Board;
• Standing behind Board decisions;
• Honouring our league philosophy;
• Maintaining appropriate tone and behavious during Board Meetings, telephone conversations and in our electronic communications.
• Ensuring our partners, sponsors and members are treated with high regard, and have their needs fully considered during Board discussions and in our actions and decisions.
• Acting in the best interest of the league as a whole and not as a representative of a specific club.

Board members portfolios may include:
• Code of Conduct Director
o Sits on Squash BC’s Conduct Committee when necessary or recommends someone from VSL board if there is a conflict of interest.
• Communications
o Social media coordinator - Facebook / Twitter
• Rules / Protest
o In charge of updating and streamlining rules of the VSL. Also acts as VSL liaison in cases of protest. Helps to organize the annual “Free Rules Clinics”
• Scheduling
o Assists League Coordinator with creation and implementation of important dates.
• Social Director
o Primarily responsible for organizing the annual Wrap Party. Helps organize the annual “Captain’s Meeting”.
• Treasurer
o Looks after the VSL funds and books and is accountable to the VSL Board and to the Members.

How to Join the Board
Our Board members are elected annually at the AGM. Currently, board members hold one-year terms and are assigned to portfolios after the new Board is formed.

We welcome interest in joining our Board, and ask that Members who believe they have what it takes, to please contact our league coordinator at info[at]vancouversquashleague[dot]com.

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The BC Honda Vancouver Squash League
Members of the Board for the 2011/2012 season:

Chairman
Mark Ingram (JER)
markingram[at]getitcrystalclear[dot]com
Mark has been the Chair of the Vancouver Squash League since 2000.
He plays Div 2 and is a Level B1 Referee.

League Coordinator
Robert Pacey (VRC)
info[at]vancouversquashleague[dot]com
Robert has been a director of the VSL since 2000. He replaced Barbara Haddleton as the League Coordinator in 2008/2009.
He is a signing officer of the VSL and plays Div 2.

Treasurer
Cindy Lee (TCC)
cindy_kw_lee[at]yahoo[dot]com
Cindy’s has been the league’s Treasurer since 2008/2009. She holds a CPA and is the second signing officer of the VSL.

Directors
Alyson Brennan (BAY)
alysonczuczor[at]gmail[dot]com
Alyson has served on the board since 2006/2007.

Graham Brown (VRC)
graham[at]lush[dot]com
Graham plays on VRC’s Division 1 team and has served on the board since 2006/2007.

Cassandra Crawford (VRC)
c.crawford[at]penfoldsroofing[dot]com
Cassandra’s has served on the board since 2008/2009.

Linda Dumont (BON)
lindadumont[at]shaw[dot]ca
Linda is the third signing officer of the VSL.

Chad Forbes (VRC)
cforbz[at]gmail[dot]com
The 2011/2012 season marks Chad’s first year on the board.

Alison Oxton (JER)
alison.oxton[at]gmail[dot]com
The 2010/2011 season marked Alison’s first on the board.

Dean Pelkey (JER)
The 2011/2012 season marks Dean’s first year on the board.

Berny Schulz (RIV)
The 2011/2012 season marks Berny’s first year on the board.

Junior Representative
This position is vacant.
Please contact us if you are interested.

Women’s Representative
This position is vacant.
Please contact us if you are interested.

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Contact Us
You can contact the VSL by sending an email to the League Coordinator:
info[at]vancouversquashleague[dot]com

Our mailing address
Vancouver Squash League
4867 Ontario Street
Vancouver, BC
V5V 3H4

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