Our History  

During the 1960s and 70s, Vauxhall Tennis had one of the largest playing memberships on the North Shore and in fact, New Zealand.

In February 1975, the Vauxhall Tennis Club became the Vauxhall Racquets Club with squash facilities under construction. The club was designed by local architect Geoff Richards.

Construction of the Squash Courts was more difficult than ever imagined. The $60,000 raised to build the club was spent just finding bedrock for the foundations.

By 1977, the Vauxhall Racquets Club had 2 courts and no Senior or Junior Squash members. By the 1980 Squash New Zealand Annual Report, there were 50 Senior and 10 Junior Members.

With the tennis courts deteriorating, the Tennis Club folded in the early 80s leaving only the Squash Club with a large mortgage, high interest rates and big ambitions.

Gary Townsend, a local real estate agent should be thanked for all his efforts organising fundraising and building the third court. We are also indebted to loans from members and a loan from the North Shore City council to help us survive difficult financial times.

Two of those members are now Life members - Sylvia Breen and Warwick Edwards.

The club has always been a multifunctional facility. In the 90s, we had a functioning Gym and Physio and the Takapuna Harriers club for its Winter club rooms.

In 1993, the club changed its name to the Devonport Squash Club. This was the beginning of the club’s growth period.

From 30 Squash playing members in 1992, the club grew to around 80-100 members in the early 2000s. By 2010 the club even boasted a flourishing junior membership of 28 under the guidance of Paul Cornish. Paul was made a Life member in 2008 for his contribution to the club but also for the establishment of "Jets program," an Auckland wide Junior Interclub.

Another person of special mention is Dietmar Londer, a life member who has held various positions on the committee since the late 90s.

Around this time, the club modernised the downstairs toilet area, changed the entrance way to the back of the building and became a nicer place all around. 

In 2017, the council advised the club must comply with "council regulations" and not sublease the facility. To meet these requirements, DSC has invested in a Gymnasium and created a soft exercise space which is hired out on an hourly basis. 

The club is now a true community hub of activity. Besides squash, the club hosts a variety of activities including Pilates, Dojo, yoga, physio, sports massage, personal trainers and a well equipped modern gym.