Former World Squash Champ Returns Serve After Cancer Scare

Former World Masters squash champion Brian Sandercock, 87, is back on the court and says his love of sport has helped him recover from cancer. The Uniting Mawarra West Pennant Hills resident, who has seven children and five great grandchildren, has finished radiation therapy and is now back playing squash two nights a week and tennis two days a week.

“At the end of June, I played in the State Masters title and won the 85-89 years categora title. But just after that I had to overcome cancer and have an operation. I had a lump under my ear which was cancerous which had to be removed,” he said. 

“After that I spent five days a week for six weeks doing radiation therapy. Now that I have finished, I have started playing Pennants squash again, and play tennis twice a week.

“I went to see the professor at the cancer clinic today for my three-monthly check. It’s all going well now and it’s all down to my fitness.”

Mr Sandercock started playing squash in 1955 to improve his fitness for soccer. Since then, he has won numerous state titles, a bronze medal in the over 70s at the World Masters Games in 2009 and a gold in the over 80s in 2017.

“I would think because I have been very fit for my age, exercise and sport has helped with my recovery,” he said.

“As soon as I came out of hospital, I started doing exercises again and I was asked to play once a week with one of the chaps at Thornleigh squash courts. I said yes, I think I can do that, so that also helped.

“I like the competition and I’m always playing people that are younger than me - most times I give them 50 years in age advantage. Whether I win or lose it doesn’t matter, as long as I have a good game.”

Mawarra West Pennant Hills Village Manager Lisa Ciantar said Mr Sandercock had been the glue of the village for many years.

“He is just the one person who is always willing to lend a hand. If we have activities, he is the first one to set it up. He is dependable and when people need help, they always go to Brian - just a true, kind gentleman,” Ms Ciantar said.

“I think what he has achieved in overcoming his illness is truly remarkable and inspiring. It gave him something positive to aspire to and helped get him through. He set himself a goal and smashes it out of the park.

“He has been on the residents’ committee and is always trying to create a sense of community to keep people engaged and connected. Brian is really proud of the community that we call Mawarra. He truly believes that Mawarra is a pleasant place and he strives to create a strong bond and sense of community.

“The residents are always so proud of him and ask him what his secret is and how he can be so disciplined and so active. We have exercise classes at Mawarra where Uniting organises personalised programs for residents that are developed for them on site. This helps residents reach for their goals as well.”

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