Malcolm Willstrop - Consultant Coach
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NAME: Malcolm Willstrop
JOB TITLE: Consultant Coach
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT ENGLAND SQUASH & RACKETBALL?
I support the work of the England coaches wherever I can. Any World Performance player can, if they wish, come to work with me at Pontefract. Lee Beachill and James Willstrop have been major players in the England team and individual successes
WHAT IS YOUR COACHING PHILOSOPHY?
I believe in sustained hard work, based on good habit with enjoyment and humour, even though I don’t look humorous! Happily I have not lost any of my enthusiasm for the game or life in general, which I hope filters through to the players.
WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE PROGRAMME?
We have had a run of top-class players in recent years and have been and still are very successful in World and European events. We must do all we can to replace them, at the same time being aware that sport is cyclical and world class players do not and never will grow on trees. Pakistan squash and Australian cricket are two good examples.
WHERE DO YOU SEE SQUASH IN 10 YEARS TIME?
Having been in the game a long time and seen amazing development from Public Schools and Officers’ messes, the RAC and Lansdowne to Grand Central, Hong Kong Harbour, The Pyramids and Pontefract. From amateur to professional in a relatively short time, I hope in ten years that the game will be healthy and that the professionals will be properly rewarded-not ridiculously so-for their skills, hard work and resilience. Few sportsmen work so hard for their living. To win the World title in Kuwait Amr Shabana had to win 6 matches in 7 days! Which other sport asks that of its players?
WHICH OTHER SPORTS DO YOU PLAY OR ENJOY WATCHING?
I enjoy Horse Racing and Rugby League.
AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?
Couldn’t think of any interesting fact-basically because I’m not interesting! What gets to me more than anything else is sportsmen, it seems to be men more than women, who give thanks to some divine authority for their success. It is an insult to other religious participants and to non-believers, who are living good lives.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY AWAY FROM SQUASH?
Music, theatre and writing.
PROFESSIONALLY WHO DO YOU REALLY ADMIRE?
I admire Tony Smith, the Warrington rugby league coach: he is the best coach I have ever met in any sport and happily a squash enthusiast and Jim Mcgrath, Channel 4 racing, who is not only an expert in his field, but a friend, squash supporter and man of principle. I was also privileged, whilst at Durham University to work with the late Charlie Adamson, Headmaster of Bow School, who was a wonderful rugby coach and a sports fanatic. I also respect sportsmen and women, who win and lose with equal dignity, so no soccer players or managers are included!
QUICK FIRE
FAVOURITE EVER FILM?
I remember as a child the film Mrs Miniver having a big effect on me. It was a war time film in the days when York, where I lived had about eight cinemas and when you queued to get in. Half a crown,12 and a half p. covered entry to the film, bus fares and fish and chips. As the song says, “Now those days are gone”. I prefer lighter stuff these days, so Full Monty. I love the scene when they are signing on and they re-act to the music. Fabulous!
FAVOURITE MUSIC?
I have liberal tastes and have seen in concert in recent times; Elton John, Coldplay, Rod Stewart, Ronan Keating, Kate Melua, Neil Diamond, Stereophonics and am due to see Snow Patrol in December. I saw Wuthering Heights, the ballet the other day, but I love Pucchini’s La Boheme.
WHICH 3 PEOPLE WOULD YOU INVITE TO A DINNER PARTY?
Three public figures; John Francome, Channel 4,famous steeplechase jockey, who I’ve had dinner with and is excellent company, Hayley Turner, top lady rider, plays squash and Anastasia Dobromyslova, the Russian darts player, who, forget Phil Taylor, must be darts’ main attraction. I would prefer all male company, but John has an eye for pretty girls, so Hayley and Anastasia are to keep him happy.
Private party: James, Vanessa and a friend, Maria. The girls are intelligent and James is there if we can’t cope!
FAVOURITE TAKE-AWAY?
I’m not into takeaways, but the odd ones I’ve had have been chinese.
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
I’ll pass on the guilty pleasure, mainly because I don’t feel guilty!