Squash

• Sydney
• 13th October 1967
• 30th November 1999

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Danielle Drady made her mark in squash as World Number two in 1991. She will be remembered most for redefining the promotion of women in sport.

In a bid to attract attention to Drady's comeback from injury and to promote the Worlds first outdoor squash tournament in 1994 Drady's manager Phil Harte wrapped her in glad wrap, at busy Sydney shopping centre Martin Place in 1994.

Drady played and won the World Outdoor Pro-Am wrapped in plastic which created a furore in squash circles. But it also attracted wide spread media coverage, and made her the most sponsored squash player at the time.

Worlds away from the peaks of her career Drady won the Queensland under eleven championship in 1978.

Labrador coach Bob Parker guided Danielle to state and national championships and an under 19 world teams crown in her junior years.

In 1984 Danielle joined The Australian Institute of Sport in Brisbane and continued a fruitful and intensifying international playing career rising from a world ranking of 22, to number 2 in six years.

She continued to climb to international supremacy with fellow Australians and eventual World Number One players Michelle Martin and Sarah Fitzgerald and in 1991 became World number two.

In a bid to reach the coveted number one spot Danielle flew to England to prepare for the US circuit under British mentor Mike Johnson.

But tragedy struck the day before leaving for the US when she snapped her achilles tendon playing in a practise match. The injury required immediate surgery and ended Daniel's chances of obtaining the number one ranking.

While Danielle continued to win tournaments including the Western Australian and South Australian Opens, her international career took a back seat after the birth of daughter Tayla, and marriage to manager Phil Harte.

Danielle continues to play in the Gold Coast Super League, balancing her time between motherhood and her executive role with events management company Harte International.

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