We had an expectation that 2020 was going to be a good year for Squash – sadly, it was not, in fact, the same case for all sports – you could say it was distressing – why?
Well, for the first time in our history, we saw everything at a grassroots development put on hold, and local Squash venues go into lockdown because of a global pandemic. Even some of the leading names in Squash based in the emerging Squash nations have lost substantial earnings because of travel restrictions.
Despite this, there have been some interesting major highlights for Squash in 2020, despite the pandemic:
First English Female President of World Squash Federation President
Zena Wooldridge – New WSF President (Photo credit: World Squash Federation)
The World Squash Federation appointed a new President – England’s Zena Wooldridge won the election in place of Jacques Fontaine and will serve a four-year term; this makes her the second female to hold the post since New Zealand’s Susie Simcock (1996-2002), furthermore, Ms Wooldridge is the second English WSF president since the creation of the federation in 1975.
Zena Wooldridge, her background includes six years as President of the European Squash Federation, between 2013 and 2019 and is the current Director of sport at the University of Birmingham, a venue that is famed for hosting the British Junior Open each January.
PSA and Dunlop plan for increased Squash digital presence
Dunlop and PSA (credit: Professional Squash Association)
When some businesses were scaling back their sponsorship because of the pandemic, Dunlop renewed its partnership with the Professional Squash Association for a further three years.
As part of the partnership, Dunlop’s role will become the Official Ball, Racket, String, Grip and Bag Partner of the PSA and continue until the end of the 2022-2023 season.
Not only is the manufacturer will have to continue its on-site branding at all the PSA sanctioned major tournaments notably at the premier events – the PSA World Championship, CIB PSA World Tour Finals and Allam British Open; but there are plans to enhance Squash digitally with an introduction of new co-branded products.
So expect Squash to be in forefront of everyone who likes the sport and reaches new enthusiasts, because of the partnership with Dunlop.
New Squash development in Berkshire
Braywick Leisure Centre – Squash Court (credit: England Squash)
In the last few years, we have seen many Squash clubs closed or courts replaced as extended exercise studios or gymnasiums; despite the pandemic news of Braywick Leisure Centre’s development of new Squash courts in Maidenhead shows that some promise in the more opportunities for the local community.
Braywick Leisure Centre – Squash court viewing gallery (credit: England Squash)
From the outset, the amenities are a welcome addition to the Squash provision in Berkshire County. The development was a joint venture between ASB Courts and Court Care UK.
Sarah Jane-Perry wins in Egypt
Champ Sarah-Jane Perry (credit: Squash Mad)
England Squash No.1 Sarah-Jane Perry gave Squash fans in the UK a good reason to cheer, by winning the prestigious CIB Black Ball Open title in a thrilling match against Egypt’s defending champion Hania El Hammamy on her home patch.
Ironically, come 2021 it will be a countdown to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the home of Sarah-Jane, whose achievement will carry momentum for the Squash category of the games in our second favourite UK city.
Fightback for local squash begins
Sadly, we saw smaller venues were unable to reopen after lockdown, notably those in local communities where Squash is a popular sporting and social activity amongst the residents.
This brought a question, of whether, how can recover local Squash following two lockdowns, as a means to get the sport functioning in a new normal under Tier 2 or Tier 3 local restrictions:
Firstly, stronger collaboration across local areas of the sport with venues operated in the voluntary sector needs a serious cash injection to stay sustainable besides ensuring their members have decent courts to play on.
Secondly, local sports development units must work with the county Squash association to save the sport in the community. As it is, their best interest is to sustain local Squash provisions that the national Squash governing body can support.
Final Thoughts
In a pandemic, that no one has ever experienced before, 2020 has been a year that all would like to forget in a hurry. However, from a Squash perspective, it has been the worst that all can testify as being damaging in terms of not being to play or socialise after a game with your fellow competitor.
Let us not forget grassroots programmes suffered too, as some parts of the UK were labelled as a high-risk COVID-19 tier location; which is totally wrong, in this case, venues in the Northern part of England were at a disadvantage in participating in the sport compared to the south.
News of new leadership, Squash is in a good place to handle any setbacks – whether it is a competitive or recreational level, why?
Squash has a bigger following for the sport than ever before, in terms of supporters and advocates like us, producing excellent content to keep us entertained when not being able to get on a court.
Come 2021, Squash will need to dig deep to get people interested again, whether it’s at a local recreational level (notably for grassroots Squash) or on the professional circuit – the technology is there, it’s just up to the management to utilise it well to boost the sport.
