Profile on Ray Kettley.



Arthur Raymond Kettley was born in Stanthorpe on the 4th October 1945, the eldest of three boys to Arthur and Joan. As a young lad growing up in the bush there was always cricket test matches, rugby league tests and Davis Cup matches with brothers Reg and David in the backyard. These activities instilled a very competitive nature in Ray, a trait that is still there today. He went on to represent Stanthorpe in tennis, cricket and rugby league before he turned 20. He played his first game of squash fixtures in Stanthorpe in 1966.

Ray completed junior education at Stanthorpe State High in 1961 and took on an apprentiship as an electrical fitter and mechanic. In September 1967 he moved to Brisbane to look for work and had many jobs in the ensuing years. His last job was accounts payable supervisor for Ingham's Enterprises and retired from there in October 2001.

Not long after arriving in Brisbane, Ray, brother Reg and Vince Cavallaro, who were sharing a flat at West End, visited the courts in Hope Street and as they say the rest is history. He was there for the move to Woolloongabba and was elected Club Captain in March 1975, a position he held until his resignation in February 1985 due to new work commitments. In 1976 he met Barbara Dawson and they moved to their new home in July 1977. They married in October 1979 and you will still find them at that home in Capalaba.

After the 1975 Winter Season Ray moved to Balmoral because the Club could not field an A1 team. He had five seasons with Balmoral and his A1 side won two pennants and were runners up on the other three occasions. Members of those teams were Terry Cheetham, Dave Jackman, Jim O'Reilly and Barry Stewart. For the 1978 Winter Season he moved back to the Gabba to be the number one player in the A2 team, the position he played until the change of format in 1981.

Ray continued to play A1 (new format) until the finish of the 1986 Winter Season and then moved to Bayside as the highest grade Gabba could field was B1. He was in an A1 side with Simon Devine, Manuel Conissis, Mel Kippen and Gary Coghill that went on to win the pennant for 1986/87 Summer Season. As of 2008 Ray and Gary are still in the same team at Wynnum West.

Ray had stints at Bayside & Tingalpa and then moved to Wynnum West where he is still competing, the first two centres closing down. He was a member of A1 teams that were successful pennant winners in the 1988 and 1989 Winter Seasons. He continued to play A1 till 2001 when age took its toll and then he moved to A2 to be in the same team as Jim O'Reilly - 23 years had passed since they were in the same A1 team at Balmoral.

1974 saw the start of his part in the administration side of squash. He had a short tenure as Secretary of Brisbane & District Squash Rackets Association. He became a qualified referee with the Referee's Association and had the pleasure of doing a final at Kangaroo Point between Heather McKay and Marion Jackman, the only occasion Marion took a game off Heather. He also officiated in the final of the 1976 Sunnybank Gold Cup between Ken Hiscoe and Cam Nancarrow.

As previously stated Ray was elected Club Captain in 1975 and continued in that role until 1985. He was awarded the Bob Turner Memorial for best club member in 1982 and was honoured for his contribution to the club with Life Membership the same year. It was a known fact Ray was really humbled with both these awards. Ray made a point of playing all tournaments and went on to win a record six Championships and equal Ken Fraser's three Handicaps.

Col Brandon Team Incentive Points Trophy


1968/69 Summer Season Ray Kettley, Mike Moore, Greg Paul, Wally Kinlyside & Ray Smith

1971 Winter Season Ray Kettley, Joe Williams, Noel Farthing & John Stirling

Pennant Winning


1967/68 Summer Season C2 Ray Allan, Max Collins, Geoff Gillam, Bob McCormick & Ray Kettley

1971/72 Summer Season A2 Bob Ford, Ray Kettley, Max Collins, John Cameron & Noel Farthing

1973 Winter A1 Ken Fraser, Bob Pareezer, Peter Land & Ray Kettley

State Team Titles


Townsville 1976 A Grade Ray Kettley, Max Collins, Brian King, Peter Land & Nic Jeffrey

Toowoomba 1977 A Grade Ray Kettley, Nic Jeffrey, John Smerdon, Max Collins & John Beck

Club Championships Division One


1971 Plate Winner
1972 Plate Winner
1975 Winner defeated Bob Ford
1976 Winner defeated Max Collins
1977 Runner up to John Smerdon
1980 Runner up to Ray Strachan
1981 Winner defeated Nic Jeffrey
1982 Winner defeated Peter Arnold
1983 Winner defeated John Hunter
1984 Winner defeated Glenn Trimble
1985 Runner up to Manuel Conissis

Bob Bergin Memorial Handicap Tournament


1970 Runner up to Dave Prickett
1978 Winner defeated Barry Blumke
1979 Winner defeated Bob Dowling
1983 Winner defeated Len Don

In 2008 Ray commenced his 42nd year playing squash and except for the nine months he travelled Australia and the odd injury, he has not missed a season playing. These days he gives his time to Meals on Wheels and touring the countryside in his caravan. He loves catching up with the good friends he made over many years at the Gabba.