Les Callow Recognised at the IOM Sports Awards

Huge congratulations to Les Callow on winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Isle of Man Sports Awards.

This honour is incredibly well deserved and recognises an outstanding contribution to squash on the Isle of Man spanning five decades.

Les began coaching 50 years ago after noticing there were no juniors playing squash on the Island. Determined to change that, he established a Sunday afternoon junior coaching club which quickly attracted more than 20 young players. Many of today’s leading players began their journey through that very initiative.

In 2025, he continues to give approximately 16 hours each week of his time on a voluntary basis, coaching both juniors and adults and playing a central role in sustaining participation in squash across the Island. He runs a Saturday morning adult club that supports players of all abilities, providing a clear development pathway from beginner level through to competitive team squash.

His dedication has directly contributed to increased league participation, including the formation of two new teams in recent seasons involving around 18 new players. A significant proportion of current team players on the Island have been coached by Les and continue to benefit from his experience and guidance.

He is a Level 2 squash coach and has been involved with the Manx Youth Games for more than 23 years as both a coach and co-ordinator. He has previously coached the men’s and ladies’ Isle of Man teams and has travelled as team manager to the Island Games and European Team Championships.

Over the years, Les has coached hundreds of juniors and adults and has never charged for his coaching, giving his time freely to support players and strengthen participation in the sport.

Squash on the Isle of Man would not be the same without him. His commitment, generosity and passion have made a lasting impact on the sport and the wider sporting community.