Vale Bruce (Ossie) Osborne

Australian squash lost a true legend in the coaching and development space this past weekend with the passing of Bruce (Ossie) Osborne after an 18-month battle with cancer.

Ossie, who first committed his life to squash in Ballina, NSW, when he transitioned from being an electrician to a squash court owner, coached and promoted squash globally. It was during his initial four-year stint in Adelaide from 1997 to 2000 that I met the man who inspired me to become a squash coach and work towards becoming a Squash SA Development Officer.

Getting into the schoolyard, making squash fun, providing opportunities for all, and calling things as they were resonated with me when I first started learning from him at the age of 14. Knowing where the line was between Development Officer, mentor, and friend was something he managed well over the 26 years I knew him.

Ossie’s squash career took him to Baltimore, Guatemala, various parts of Asia, and even included a six-month stint at The Rex in the Barossa. Over the past six years, Ossie ran Southport Squash on the Gold Coast, where he tapped into the local university student market and ran a thriving club.

Everyone who knew Ossie has at least one story about him, probably many more. There has never been anyone who could inspire and recruit as many juniors into our sport in such a short space of time as Ossie could—and he did, everywhere he went.

Ossie will be missed but never forgotten.

James Rogers

General Manager Squash SA