A Lincolnshire squash official has been recognised with a prestigious national honour after being named Referee of the Year at the 2025 England Squash Awards.
From Local Courts to National Recognition
Danny Melville, who plays for Lincoln Eastgate, received the coveted award after an impressive rise through the officiating ranks. His journey to becoming a qualified official began just eight months before he completed his World Squash Officiating Level 2 qualification in June.
The rapid progression has seen Melville referee at events ranging from local tournaments in Boston, Grantham, and Lincoln to major national competitions including the British Junior Championships and British Open Masters, as well as matches on the professional PSA Tour.
Ambitions for the Global Stage
Despite his recent success, Melville has set his sights even higher. "Over the next 10-15 years, I'd like to be refereeing on the elite tour and be centre stage at the British Open on the glass courts," he revealed. "I want to go all the way to the top."
Reflecting on his whirlwind journey, Melville described the experience as "a bit surreal". He added: "I've really got stuck into it and I've loved every minute. I've always enjoyed refereeing - I'm a stickler for the rules and I don't like it when you're down at the club and a wrong decision is made."
Mentorship and Supporting Others
Melville credits his development to guidance from experienced mentors including Peter Hindmarsh, Ashley Smith, Jason Foster, and Lucy Townley. "They call it a pathway but it's a journey, and I'm enjoying it so far," he noted.
Despite being relatively new to officiating himself, Melville has earned praise for his commitment to supporting other officials. He regularly shares experiences and advice with fellow referees, club players, and juniors officiating their own matches.
"Everyone is always learning and it's tough because not everyone has the same confidence," Melville explained. "Some people are shy about taking the pen or don't want to mark certain people. I've always been happy to get stuck in and help. At junior events, if I'm on my break, I'll sit with the kids to be there as support."
The Lincolnshire official now has his sights set on achieving his Level 3 qualification while continuing to inspire the next generation of squash referees.
