Stuart Davenport

{{Short description|New Zealand squash player (born 1962)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2014}}

{{BLP sources|date=March 2010}}

{{Infobox squash player

| name = Stuart Davenport

| image =

| caption =

| full_name =

| nickname =

| country = {{NZL}}

| residence = Wellington

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1962|9|21}}

| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height =

| weight =

| turnedpro =

| retired = 1987

| plays = Right-Handed

| coach = Dardir El Bakary

| racquet = Dunlop

| website =

| event = Men's Singles

| years_active =

| highest_ranking = 3

| date_of_highest_ranking = February 1986

| current_ranking =

| date_of_current_ranking =

| titles = 1983 NZ Open, 1986 US Open

| finals =

| WorldOpenresult =

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalSport | Men's squash }}

{{MedalCountry | {{NZL}} }}

{{MedalCompetition | World Championships}}

{{MedalBronze | 1983 Munich | Singles}}

| updated =

}}

Stuart Davenport (born 21 September 1962 in Auckland, New Zealand){{cite web |url=https://www.squashinfo.com/player/1253-stuart-davenport |title=Stuart Davenport |website=squashinfo.com |publisher=Squash Info |access-date=20 December 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202150204/http://www.squashinfo.com/players/1253-stuart-davenport |archive-date=2 February 2014}} is a New Zealand former professional squash player. He reached his career's highest ranking of World No. 3 in February 1986.{{cite web |url=http://www.psa-squash.com/entry/ranking.php?player=T00481 |title=Stuart Davenport |website=psa-squash.com |publisher=Professional Squash Association |access-date=1 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525080228/http://www.psa-squash.com/entry/ranking.php?player=T00481 |archive-date=25 May 2011}}

Davenport learned to play squash in Christchurch, and was an outstanding junior (particularly after a growth spurt aided the physical side of his game after the age of 15). Coached by the legendary Dardir El Bakary, Davenport developed an excellent attacking game with the full array of volleys and attacking strokeplay.

In 1980 he led the New Zealand Junior team to third place at the World Junior Championship in Sweden (after finishing third himself in the individual event). That same year he won the British under-19 title, and in 1982 took out the British under-23 championships.

A distinguished senior professional career followed, highlights of which included finishing third in the World Individual Championships held in New Zealand in 1983, and several outstanding efforts for New Zealand in World Teams Championships events.{{cite web |url=http://www.nzsquash.co.nz/high-performance/player-profiles/former-players.cfm?content_id=273 |title=Stuart Davenport |website=nzsquash.co.nz |publisher=Squash New Zealand |access-date=22 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826160811/http://nzsquash.co.nz/high-performance/player-profiles/former-players.cfm?content_id=273 |archive-date=26 August 2014}}