Carin Clonda

Background

Clonda was born in the Sydney suburb of Manly, to an Estonian mother and Romanian father.

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 the same year, she was diagnosed with chronic asthma, and took eighteen months off to undergo respiratory treatment, but resumed playing after gaining weight due to the treatment. From 2005 to 2009, Clonda was the Chief Executive Officer and director of NSW Squash, the organisation which develops, organises and promotes the sport of squash in New South Wales.

She also managed the organisation"s squash facilities at the Thornleigh Squash Centre.

In 2012, Clonda was involved in a court dispute with NSW Squash which alleged she had altered an approved lease agreement to hire facilities at the group"s headquarters in Thornleigh. Justice Michael Pembroke of the Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled that Clonda had acted with "guile and deception".

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 and the resulting damage to her immune system saw her deal with worsening asthma, infections, a dislocated pelvis and recurrence of her tumour.

Sexuality Clonda was the first Australian squash player to come out as gay, and says she experienced considerable hostility—although more from outside the squash community than within lieutenant

Achievements

• In 2000, Clonda was awarded the Australian Sports Medal, with the citation "NSW & Australian Representative 1978–1985. Australian & British Junior Champion". In 2008, she was awarded the Sue Fear Award, named after mountaineer Sue Fear, for courage and achievement in overcoming serious illness to be successful in competitive squash. In 2010, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), but the award was revoked in 2013 after an adverse finding in a court dispute.