For decades, the strength of BC’s squash community has come from the passion and dedication of its supporters—those who go beyond the game to help it thrive. This year’s President’s Plate recipient, Dave Fenn, embodies that spirit. As a long-time player, club leader, and generous sponsor, Dave has made a lasting impact on the sport, supporting tournaments, fostering camaraderie, and giving back to the community.
Dave is incredibly supportive of Squash BC events and is always willing and ready to lend a helping hand. As owner of R&B Brewing, Dave has generously supported many of Squash BC’s tournaments at the provincial level, including the 2023 & 2024 BC Open. He is an avid supporter of Evergreen and currently plays there and also co-captains at Terminal City Club.
We sat down with Dave to learn more about his squash journey, his love for the game, and what drives his commitment to supporting the sport.
Q&A with Dave
Squash BC: – What does receiving the President’s Plate mean to you personally? – How did you first get involved with squash?
Dave: I first was introduced to squash as a youth playing a little bit at Hollyburn but primarily in the early 1980s at the UBC courts, which unfortunately are no longer there. But I think the first time I was on a squash court was in 1968, when Evergreen first opened. My dad was a friend of Mitch Hiddleston, who helped get Evergreen started, and I remember going on a tour and going through that cool tiny door onto squash court number 1. I would have been 7.
Squash BC: What motivated you to become such a strong supporter of Squash BC and the game of squash?
Dave: Through the years, I played periodically at courts in Victoria and Squamish, on City courts and in condo and hotel courts. Today, I get out at Evergreen and Terminal City, but still like getting out to BCIT and some City of Vancouver courts, when it’s convenient for people I’m playing with. I think one of the challenges in squash today is to keep as many points of access to the game as open as possible, so that the general public can see and experience squash prior to joining a private club. I’ve had lots of conversations with beginners at these other venues on where and how they can continue to improve their games. These days, when I travel I often bring a racquet and gear and try to line up a game and meet some people at another squash venue. Squash has a great supportive community behind it, and it opens up conversations and relationships all over the world.
Squash BC: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your involvement in the squash community?
Dave: I truly enjoy supporting Squash BC and events in the province, and to witness players of all levels being active and engaged. And it’s great to see the juniors come up through the system! To have R&B Brewing associated with these events is positive for us, as we just want to put our name and product in front of an active group of people who enjoy social activities. I see many players stopping in at R&B for a pint or a pizza and enjoy having either a squash-related or non squash-related conversation. It’s a great group of people to have in your life. That’s the biggest benefit of squash, by far.