As we enter a new decade, Squash fans can reflect on the last decade as a respectable era of greatness, especially in countries that are emerging as challengers to the top 3 elite countries.
Besides the challenge of which country is better at Squash, there have been key moments in Squash that have defined Squash as the most interesting sport of all time.
The impact of these moments has changed the attitudes of the sport, especially to those who didn’t know about the sport, but now because intriguing developments both on/off the court have brought about more value to the sport.
From rising stars to new innovations
So what are our top 7 stories that have inspired us? Well, from our research we have selected 7 key moments in Squash from the 2010s:
Rising star Chris Binnie:
As a company with Jamaican lineage, hearing about Chris Binnie’s rise to the top as one of Jamaica’s well-known Squash players is one of the highlights from the 2010s. He is a 9-time regional Squash champion and team captain of the Jamaican World Squash team.
Come the 2020s, we look forward to seeing him achieve more success and break into the top 50 of the PSA Men’s rankings.
The conitnued impact of World Squash Day
Every October, Squash clubs across the globe open their doors to invite members of their local community to a free taster session at their club. The founder of the event is Alan Thatcher and it has backing from the World Squash Federation, PSA, and national federations across the globe.
Women’s Squash
With Women’s Squash, there has been a lot of groundbreaking development notably pay equality and women’s Squash day. As a result, there have been a lot of initiatives that increased women’s Squash participation such as England Squash’s program Squash Girls Can.
Nicol David v Laura Massaro: US Open (2015)
Even though this was a quarter-final match, it was truly one of the greatest matches between Squash’s greatest champions of the 2010s:
Source: PSA SquashTV – YouTube
InteractiveSquash – bring the gamification to Squash
Image Credit: Fun with Balls
The innovation of mixing Squash with gamification technology to make a smart Squash court is perhaps one of the best things that could have happened in the 2010s, as it helps make the sport more fun for children to take up (including adults) and also helps keep Squash courts open at independent clubs.
Saudi Women’s Squash
Photo credit: Professional Squash Association
In 2018, Saudi Arabia hosted the first-ever women’s squash tournament in Riyadh; the tournament came about the reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that include a lifting of restrictions on women. For the women of Saudi Arabia, the squash tournament follows the lifting of the ban, allowing women to drive in the country.
Showcase event at Youth Olympics
Despite a number of campaigns to get Olympic inclusion, Squash managed to have a presence at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games:
Source: World Squash TV – YouTube
Egypt become world beaters in Squash
Photo credit: U.S. Open Squash
In the past, Australia, England, and Pakistan were the dominant teams in Squash but in the 2010’s decade, Egypt has become the leading team in Squash across the junior and senior categories, taking titles consecutively in major tournaments such as the World Junior Squash Championships to the Women’s & Men’s World Open title.
For years Squash has been lobbying to get into the Olympic Games, but in 2018 the sport put on an excellent showcase event at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Why are these moments so pivotal to Squash? In our humble opinion, these moments have inspired young people to take up Squash, plus enhance the reputation of the sport.
Also, the success overseas translates into more funding for grassroots development initiatives and also support from local corporations looking to improve their brand associations with the sport.
Building upon success in the last decade
Come 2020, there is no doubt it will usher in a lot of new names in Squash, plus some new developments with the emerging countries looking to challenge Egypt, England, and Malaysia across the individual and team categories of the sport.
Furthermore, for venues that are standalone; they need to look at building up a strong strategic partnership with local youth groups with a business angle of promoting health awareness.
In conclusion, we reckon that Squash is going to continue to grow in participation despite the number of courts being removed – to combat the governing bodies of the relevant country or regional group need to do more than provide funding to help improve the club but be open to collaboration with organisation with similar synergies.
Here’s to a great decade of Squash and long may it continue into the 2020s.
