Carin Lydia Clonda (born 1 March 1961) is an Australian former professional
squash player and sports administrator.
Early life
Clonda was born in the
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
suburb of
Manly, to an Estonian mother and Romanian father.
Squash playing career
She was introduced to squash at the age of 13, and began to play competitively, winning the Australian Under-16 title after playing for two years. In 1978 she won the New South Wales and Australian Junior Women's Championships in the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 age groups. In the same year, she was diagnosed with chronic
asthma
Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, cou ...
, and took eighteen months off to undergo respiratory treatment, but resumed playing after gaining weight due to the treatment.
In 1979, she became the ''de facto'' under-19 world champion when she won the
British Junior Women's Open, there being no higher championship in that age range.
[Squash Roll of Honour: British Junior Open Championships]
, England Squash and Racquetball.
Sports administration
From 2005 to 2009, Clonda was the CEO and director of NSW Squash, the organisation which develops, organises and promotes the sport of squash in
New South Wales
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, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
. She also managed the organisation's squash facilities at the Thornleigh Squash Centre.
Judy Hopwood
Judith Hopwood (born 19 June 1954), a former Australian politician, was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Hornsby for Liberal Party between 2002 and 2011.
Hopwood was elected as Member for Hornsby following a by ...
Thornleigh Squash Centre
, ''Hansard'', Parliament of New South Wales, 29 November 2007.
She has served as a squash administrator and manager for several major sporting events including the 2002
Gay Games
The Gay Games is a worldwide sport and cultural event that promotes acceptance of sexual diversity, featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) athletes, artists and other individuals.
Founded as the Gay Olympics, it was starte ...
in Sydney,
[Brendan Bolger: Community figures honoured]
, Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation. and the
2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games, officially the XVIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Melbourne 2006 (Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm 2006'' or ''Naarm 2006''), was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth held ...
in Melbourne.
[Carin Clonda]
, Commonwealth Games Australia.
In 2010, Clonda founded the Australian Squash Group, a non-profit consultancy group, with fellow squash champion
David Palmer.
Court dispute
In 2012, Clonda was involved in a court dispute with NSW Squash and Justice Michael Pembroke of the
Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled against her company. As a result of the court judgement, the
Governor-General
Governor-general (plural ''governors-general''), or governor general (plural ''governors general''), is the title of an office-holder. In the context of governors-general and former British colonies, governors-general are appointed as viceroy t ...
cancelled her award of the Medal of the
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...
.
Between 2012 and 2016, Clonda filed three claims against NSW Squash Ltd that were subsequently settled between the parties.
Personal life
Health issues
In addition to chronic asthma, Clonda experienced numerous health issues during her sporting career, but continued to compete regardless. In 1989, she underwent surgery to remove a tumour from her leg, and then
spinal fusion surgery which held a risk of permanent paralysis.
She then experienced
chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or ME/CFS, is a complex, debilitating, long-term medical condition. The causes and mechanisms of the disease are not fully understood. Distinguishing core symptoms are ...
and the resulting damage to her immune system saw her deal with worsening asthma, infections, a dislocated pelvis and recurrence of her tumour.
[
In 2009 Clonda underwent bilateral hip replacements. In 2016 Clonda suffered a heart attack.
]
Sexuality
Clonda was the first professional squash player to come out as gay, and says she experienced considerable hostility—although more from outside the squash community than within it. In 2008, she was a "Games Champion" of the first AsiaPacific Outgames held in Melbourne.
Honours
In 2000, Clonda was awarded the Australian Sports Medal, with the citation "NSW & Australian Representative 1978–1985. Australian & British Junior Champion".[CLONDA, Carin]
, ''It's an Honour'' (Australian Government), 23 August 2000.
In 2008, she was awarded the Sue Fear Award, named after mountaineer Sue Fear
Sue or SUE may refer to:
Music
* Sue Records, an American record label
* ''Sue'' (album), an album by Frazier Chorus
* "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)", a song by David Bowie
Places
* Sue Islet (Queensland), one of the Torres Straits island ...
, for courage and achievement in overcoming serious illness to be successful in competitive squash.[Cancellation of award of the Order of Australia in the General Division made to Ms Carin Lydia Clonda]
, ''Australian Government Gazette'' (C2013G01485), 8 August 2013.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clonda, Carin
1961 births
Living people
Australian female squash players
Australian people of Estonian descent
Australian people of Romanian descent
Recipients of the Australian Sports Medal
People stripped of a British Commonwealth honour
Medal of the Order of Australia forfeitures
People with chronic fatigue syndrome
Australian lesbian sportswomen
LGBT squash players
21st-century Australian LGBT people
People from Manly, New South Wales