Lance Kinder


Lance Kinder was a British tennis player who took up veterans Squash in his 40s and rose to Number 1 in the world, winning many titles including the British Open and the [World Masters Squash (sport)|Squash Championships|World Masters]. Kinder's record includes having played Squash 72 times for his country since 1992 and only losing once, winning World Championships and many global squash competitions – many of these after having a heart attack in his early 60s. Kinder gave much to the sport including holding the Vice-Presidency of the Veterans Squash Rackets Club of Great Britain since 2006. He was also the instigator for the creation of the British National Open and Closed tournament categories for the Over-60s, 65s, 70s, 75s and 80s age groups. Kinder died on 14 December 2023, at the age of 88.

Playing career

Born 2 October 1935 in India to British parents he returned home to the UK whilst still a young boy. Always attracted to sports Kinder made his school teams for Football and Cricket but it was whilst he was in the RAF that his sporting talents were identified. He went on to box for the RAF at Fly Weight.

After leaving the RAF, moving his career into tailoring and getting married, sport took back seat. In his 30s went back into sport with Badminton but it was in his early 40s Squash became the sport of choice. Combining training with playing 5–7 games of squash per week, his standard grew from club level, though regional to English national and world standard. He has played at national and international level in O55, O60, O65, O70, O75 and O80's categories.

Since his 40s Kinder has continuously played at the highest levels of squash, travelling the world to participate in and win many tournaments, including the British Open in 1992 and in 2005. Kinder was also a committed county player for Avon. He won 15 county titles in the over 45, 55, and 60 age groups. At the age of 58, in a single year, Kinder played for Avon county team in the over 35, 45 and 55 age groups.

Suffering a serious heart attack in his early 60s could have brought an abrupt end to his sporting life style. However, Kinder went back to Squash and re-established his position by competing in European and World Championships.

From the 1990s to the 2020s, Kinder was a member of the Veterans Squash Rackets Club of Great Britain winning 9 Singles and 22 Doubles titles in age categories from O55 to O80s. Indeed, Kinder and his long term playing partner John Woodliffe had such a successful partnership that the Veterans Squash Rackets Club of Great Britain renamed the 0ver 75 Doubles trophy "The Kinder/Woodliffe Cup".

Kinder finally retired from squash in the spring of 2022 following the competitive squash hiatus during the global Covid pandemic. Kinder continued to keep fit with squash training routines and pilates.

Squash results

National

Kinder has represented England in Home International events playing against Scotland, Wales and Ireland since 1992. At the time of writing he played for his country in the O55, O60, O65, O70, O75 and O80 age groups on a total of 72 occasions and only lost once.

Singles

DateSeedingEventLocationRound Reached
Nov 21–GB Vets O80UKWinner
Aug 18–World Masters Squash Championships O80USAWinner
Jun 18–British Open O80EngWinner
Apr 17–GB Vets O80EngWinner
Jun 16–British Open O80EngWinner
Apr 16–GB Vets O80EngWinner
Oct 15–European Masters GamesFRAWinner
Feb 14–British O75 National ChampionshipENGRunner-up
May 13British O75 OpenENGSemi-finals
Jul 12World O75 MastersENGSemi-finals
May 12–British O75 OpenENGSemi-finals
Feb 12–British O75 National ChampionshipENGRunner-up
Sep 11European O70 Masters ChampionshipPORThird place play-off
Jun 11British O75 OpenENGSemi-finals
Feb 11–British O75 National ChampionshipENGWinner
Feb 10British O70 National ChampionshipENGSemi-finals
Sep 09British O70 OpenENGSemi-finals
2009–GB Vets O70ENGWinner
Feb 09British O70 National ChampionshipENGSemi-finals
Oct 08World O70 MastersNZLSemi-finals
May 8British O70 OpenENGSemi-finals
Feb 08British O70 National ChampionshipENGSemi-finals
Sep 07British O70 OpenENGRunner-up
Feb 07British O70 National Championship ENGQuarter-finals
Oct 06World O70 MastersRSASemi-finals
Sep 06British O70 OpenENGRunner-up
2006–GB Vets O70ENGWinner
Feb 06British O70 National ChampionshipENGWinner
Oct 05British O70 OpenENGWinner
2005World Masters Games O70CANWinner
Feb 05British O65 National ChampionshipENGQuarter-finals
2003–World O65 MastersFINQuarter-finals
2001–World O65 MastersAUSSemi-finals
2001–GB Vets O65ENGWinner
1999–World O60 MastersENGSemi-finals
1997–World O60 MastersRSAQuarter-finals
1996–GB Vets O60ENGWinner
1993–GB Vets O55ENGWinner
1992–British Open O50ENGWinner
1989–GB Vets O50ENGWinner
1988–GB Vets O50ENGWinner
1987–GB Vets O50ENGWinner
1986–GB Vets O50ENGWinner

Doubles

DateEventPartnerRound Reached
2018GB Vets O75 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2017GB Vets O75 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2013GB Vets O70 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2012GB Vets O75 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2011GB Vets O70 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2010GB Vets O70 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2009GB Vets O70 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2008GB Vets O70 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2007GB Vets O70 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2006GB Vets O70 DoublesKen BarrettWinner
2006GB Vets O65 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2005GB Vets O65 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2004GB Vets O65 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2003GB Vets O65 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2002GB Vets O65 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2002GB Vets O55 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
2000GB Vets O55 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
1999GB Vets O55 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
1999World Champion O55Winner
1998GB Vets O55 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
1997GB Vets O55 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
1995GB Vets O55 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
1993GB Vets O55 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner
1992GB Vets O55 DoublesJohn WoodliffeWinner

Awards and recognition

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sportsman of the Year – 2005

Basingstoke Senior & Veteran Award – 2005

Interview on BBC Sport – 7 Mar 2016

Interview on the BBC Breakfast Show – 5 Sep 2020