Shelley Kitchen  

Shelley first started hitting a Squash ball around the Kaitaia Squash Courts in 1984 as a five year old whilst accompanying her squash playing mother and sister to the club.

Shelley's potential was evident from an early age. She developed to become a true ambassador for New Zealand Squash and in particular for Women's Squash, where she carried on the fine tradition of both Dame Susan Devoy and Leilani Joyce.

She went on to compete both in New Zealand and on the World International circuit for nearly two decades and during that period Shelley became a role model for New Zealand as she travelled from country to country competing at the highest level. Shelley has used her profile to inspire and provide direction for younger generations of athletes, particularly within Far North Communities. It was this dedication and commitment that was instrumental in her being recognised as the New Zealand Maori Female Athlete of the Year in 2005.

Some highlights of Shelley's career included representing New Zealand over a fifteen year period, winning twelve New Zealand titles (age group through to senior level), fifteen International titles, winning Commonwealth Games Silver and Bronze medals and taking out the World Women's Doubles title. Also within New Zealand she was the top ranked Female Player over a five year period.

Shelley was to become one of the hardest hitting female squash players in the world and one who continually outplayed her opposition by releasing her cracking fore-hand and back-hand drives. 

Shelley was named in the 2010 New Years Honours receiving the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to sport.

Career Highlights:

• NZ Under 13 Champion
• NZ Under 15 Champion
• NZ Under 17 Champion
• AUS Under 17 Open Champion
• NZ Under 19 Champion x 2
• NZ Under 21 Champion x 3
• NZ National Champion x 4
• NZ Representative 1995 - 2010
• NZ Junior Women's Team World Championships 1995 (3rd) 1997 (2nd)
• NZ Senior Women's Team World Championships 1998 (3rd) 2004 (3rd)
• NZ Representative Commonwealth Games Manchester 2002 
• NZ Representative Commonwealth Games Melbourne 2006 
• Silver medal Women's doubles - Bronze medal Women's singles (Melbourne)
• Selected for Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 (withdrew at the eleventh hour through illness)
• World Doubles Silver Medallist 2004
• World Doubles Champion 2006
• Career high World ranking of No 6
• Career high NZ ranking of No 1
• NZ Maori Sportswoman of the year in 2005
• World Squash Awards most improved female player 2007
• World International titles x 15