Jonathan Tate - University of Birmingham Sport Squash Coach

Sport: Squash

Birthplace: Sunderland, United Kingdom

School/College/University attended:  The King’s School, Tynemouth. Studied BA (Hons) History & Politics at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Sports played: Squash - County Champion, Area Champion and Nationally Ranked as a junior player.  As a senior I have played National League (PSL) for Birmingham and competed semi-professionally in UK tournaments. Football - Captained Sunderland Boys and represented Durham & Cleveland at U19 County level. Tennis - Played county juniors for Durham, and represented the Northern Area.  Was a junior player in the PUMA High Development Squad.

Greatest sporting achievement: I’ve had a few but simply to annoy current TASS student Joel Hinds I’m going to have to say beating him 3-0!! Sorry Joel!

Greatest coaching achievement: Coaching at the World University Championships in 2008 and helping Birmingham to win the Men’s & Ladies BUSA Championship, and the Men’s and Women’s BUSA Shield in 2007/08 season.

Most memorable occasion in sport: Sunderland losing to Charlton in the Championship Play-Off final under Peter Reid. It was played in an amazing atmosphere with a stupid number of goals scored, and I think I went through every emotion possible before we finally lost on penalties 6-5!

Likes: Sport (I’ll watch pretty much anything) Food, Music, Cars, Travel / Holidays, and spending time with my family and 18 month old son Oliver.

Dislikes: Not many really as life is too short, but I’m really not a huge fan of changing dirty nappies, oh and I don’t like smoking!

Person who most influenced your career: My elder brother Alex.  Without him I would probably not have played squash at all, and I certainly would not have wanted to play so much as a junior if I was not trying so desperately hard to beat him for such a sustained period of time!

Favourite ground or stadium: Squash because of its versatility and ability to construct a court almost anywhere.  It would be hard to choose between The Pyramids in Egypt, or Grand Central Station New York or even the Great Hall at the University of Birmingham!  Its the ability to take the sport to the masses in unusual settings with a unique atmosphere that is appealing.

Last book read: Da Vinci Code

Favourite movie: Hard one but I reckon the all time favourite is probably the Shawshank Redemption.

Favourite music: Hard to choose as I like a real mix and my ipod is full of all kinds of stuff.  I did see Katie Tunstall in concert recently and that was really good, but anything goes really.

The best thing about playing sport and studying at UoB: Great Campus, Great City, Excellent degrees and the opportunity to be a part of the best and most successful University Squash team in Great Britain!