Player
1973 -
Melanie had an outstanding career as a squash player. She represented Canada for 14 years, from 1992 until her retirement in 2006. She was a member of the WSA (then WISPA) and achieved a World Ranking of 25 in 1999, the second highest world ranking ever achieved by a Canadian woman squash player.
Melanie was a member of the Canadian Squash Team which played in the first Pan American Games, in which squash was on the program, in Mar del Plata, Argentina in 1995 and in which she won a gold medal in the team event. Melanie won a gold medal in the individual event and a gold in the team event in the PanAm Games in 1999, in Winnipeg and a silver medal in both individual and team events in the PanAm Games in 2003, in San Dominica.
Melanie won 4 Canadian singles titles: 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2005. She also won a Canadian Mixed Doubles title in 1999, with Pat Richardson. She was a member of the Ontario team competing in the Canadian Team tournament in 2004 and 2005, winning provincial titles to be selected for the team.
Even during the time she was competing, Melanie gave back to the game and coached. She is a level 3 certified coach. Following her retirement, she became a full time teaching professional. She is currently at The Oakville Club, where she is the High Performance and Competitive Stream Coach. Melanie has 20 years of coaching experience and is currently the Women's National Team coach. She is a very successful coach.
As a player, Melanie was a true sportswoman. She worked hard, never gave up but always played squash in the best spirit of the game. She was a great team member, always gave support to her fellow team players and was a pleasure to have a part of a team.
Melanie is worthy of membership to the Ontario Hall of Fame. Her squash playing career is excellent; she has always given back to the game, is an exceptional and inspiring coach and portrays the values expected of an individual in the Hall of Fame.
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