All of us could agree that 2022 was the best year for Squash in general, these moments were defining in changing the perceptions of the sport overall, especially with the feature in the most talked about sporting events of the year.
As a business, we saw some interesting developments notably World Squash Day 2022; from which our partners, the BA Kolo Squash Club got a mention on the World Squash Federation website in promoting the day in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
So, what were the best moments in Squash 2022? Our team chose the following news stories in 2022 of which Squash shone and gave the sport more creditability in terms of boosting participation amongst members of the local community:
Kent has a new Squash star
Gina Kennedy (England) – 2022 Women’s Squash (credit: BBC Sport)
Following Laura Massoro’s retirement, both Sarah-Jane Perry and Gina Kennedy have carried on the moment of raising the profile of women in England.
Going into the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, both Sarah-Jane and Gina were hot favourites to shine at the tournament.
England’s Gina Kennedy won squash gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and became the first winner from Great Britain to win gold and the first from Kent.
Her success shows that Kent is proving to be the place to learn a racquet – following on the success of another Kent-based racquet star that achieved a US Open tennis tournament in 2021.
Caribbean stars shine globally and nationally
With the Commonwealth Games taking place in the summer months in the great city of Birmingham, residents had a great opportunity to see two of the Caribbean’s top Squash players take part in the Squash competition – Chris Binnie and Ashley Khalil.
Chris Binnie in action at Commonwealth Games
The Games saw other Squash players come up short, but Chris Binnie (Jamaica) was the only player to advance to the 3rd stage of the men’s category of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Ashley Khalil, she and her brother Jason-Ray won a silver medal in the Mixed Doubles competition with her brother at the Commonwealth Games.
Jason-Ray and Ashley Khalil (credit: SportMax)
Despite mixed outcomes, taking part in the Commonwealth Games helped both Chris and Ashley a month later…
For Chris Binnie made history by winning a record 10th CASA title in Jamaica – a feat that was not achieved by any squash player from the island.
Chris Binnie (10x Senior CASA Champion)
As for Ashley Khalil, she won Khalil, the 2022 CASA Women’s Singles title, and became the All-Guyana National Squash champion in November.
Ashley Khalil – 2022 Ladies CASA Champions (credit Newsroom Guyana)
Wolverhampton hosts major Squash seniors tournament
Credit: Express & Star
Following the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, another West Midlands city launched another Squash tournament – in neighbouring Wolverhampton, hosted a senior regional Squash tournament at the prestigious Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club.
Squash players from across the country gathered at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club (WLTSC) to take part in a 3-day master competition.
The event comes after the success of Team England on the international stage at the Commonwealth Games, where they won five medals.
This regional tournament hosted by WLTSC allowed players (amongst age categories ranging between 35-75 for men and 30-60 for women) from different backgrounds the opportunity to play competitive squash.
Notable winners, of the inaugural Regional Masters Squash Tournament at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club were Neil Patel (Over 50s plate winner), Jane Hatton (Over 60s 5th place), and Mike Harris (Over 50s runner up) all from Wolverhampton.
It seems that the West Midlands could be a major place to compete in Squash tournaments.
Barbados Squash star wins a first major tournament
Meagan Best (L) with Nikki Shemirani (credit: Barbados Today)
Since launching our business, we have often talked about Squash in the Caribbean with the notion of seeing junior star progress well into the senior category.
In early December, Barbados’ Meagan Best won her first-ever Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournament Nikki Shemirani (Canada) at the 2022 Women’s NexGen Satellite Singles event.
Now in her third year at the University of Virginia, Meagan won the final 3-0 against Nikki.
Bristolian Squash ace wins 4th major title
Mohamed El Shorbagy (credit: B24/7)
Throughout 2022 there was a story emerging about Bristol being the home of many international Squash players.
Upon investigation, it turns out some of the top 10 players on the PSA circuit live and train in one of the UK’s nicest places to live.
Following a change of allegiance from Egypt to England in June, Mohamed El Shorbagy (now a Bristolian) defeated French number one Victor Crouin 3-1 to take home the QTerminals Qatar Classic.
For Mohamed, it was his fourth QTerminals Qatar Classic title and the 45th title of his career and has lived in the vibrant West Country city since 2009, when he started studying at UWE Bristol.
Final Thoughts
These stories reflect the best moments in Squash throughout 2022.
For us as a company, we feel these stories showcase how the sport is continuing to grow in popularity and working towards building upon the Commonwealth Games Squash legacy in getting more people to participate in the sport too.
In conclusion, what can we expect to see with Squash in 2023?
Well, we reckon bodies across the Commonwealth will look to capitalising on growing outdoor Squash provision in certain countries; along with seeing more Squash from the Commonwealth competing in more PSA-sanctioned tournaments.
As a company, well we will continue to champion our partners and talent to the next level of their ambitions to grow the profile of the healthiest sport.
