The Boast - February Edition by Squash New Zealand

NZ SQUASH OPEN IS BACK! ANOTHER YEAR AT THE ICONIC ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL

FEBRUARY 2026

CHECK OUT THE TOP8 SEEDS, & LINK TO THE FULL DRAW INSIDE

6. Qualification system announced for LA28 Olympic Games

8. World-Class field confirmed for NZ Squash Open

12. Squash for Life Supporters Club

13. Squash Stars Showcase: Greymouth

14. Results from the 2025 Voice of Participant survey

15. Expression of Interest: 2027 Masters Trans Tasman Selectors

16. PSA Squash Tour

18. Peak Performance with Kemp

20. Player Profile: Emma Merson

22. Player Magazine Extract

24. Guest Writer – Joanna Shanks

26. Tournament Controller Pathway

28. Club of the Month - Makarewa Squash Club

30. Referee - 100th Anniversary British Junior Open

33. Coaching conference

34. Volunteer of the Month - Joy Edmond

Stay updated with our other channels

Chief Executive Update

Tēnā koutou

Happy New Year everyone — I hope 2026 has begun well for you and your communities. For us in squash, the year starts with something truly special. On 3 March, the Festival of Squash begins, marking a milestone -the journey to Los Angeles starts now. Three years. Three cities. One Olympic dream. It’s time for all of us to get behind Paul and Joelle as they set out on their path toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. And what better way to begin than by experiencing world class squash inside one of New Zealand’s most iconic venues? This year’s event brings together 48 players, representing 16 nations across five continents. We’re also proud to have four New Zealand wildcards, who will take the court in the first rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday. To make this event a long lasting fixture in New Zealand’s sporting calendar, we need the full support of our squash community. The atmosphere, the spectacle, the energy — it’s something you’ll want to witness in person. Your presence genuinely helps secure the future of the Festival for years to come.

Upcoming events

Event

Henderson PSA

SNZ Golf Day Fundraiser

North Shore PSA

NZ Open

Oceania Masters

NZ Junior Open

Don’t miss any

Click HERE to

We’ll be sharing news on the next two host cities very soon — I can’t wait to reveal what’s coming next as this journey builds toward 2028. Alongside the NZ Squash Open, we also have the Oceania Masters and the NZ Junior Open running concurrently. We’ve designed the schedule so players can compete without missing a single rally of the NZ Open, ensuring everyone gets the full experience. I’m personally trying to work out whether I can fulfil my commitments and still step on court myself — it will be a tight squeeze, but I’m incredibly keen. Entries for the Oceania Masters are already well over 100, including players from Australia and across the Islands, so it promises to be a fantastic event. Finally, I encourage you to consider signing up for Squash for Life – our supporters club. It’s free, comes with no commitments, and is a simple way to stand with us as we work toward a big, shared goal: bringing every young Kiwi onto court. See you in March — it’s going to be unforgettable.

Ngā mihi Martin Dowson

Venue

Hendesrson Squash

Huapai Golf Club, Auckland

North Shore Squash Club

Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch

Christchurch SC and Richmond SC

Burnside and Christchurch Football

The notice board

What’s happening in our community

LOCAL LEGAL LEGEND:

Kevin Phillips - the boy from Gore

Kevin was one of the original founders of the Gore Squash Club with Peter MacKenzie and others, the club courts were built from scratch with help from Gore Construction.

“We’d play Southland Competition tournaments travelling as far as Tuatapere on Wednesday nights.”

Kevin was the club president during the 1970s.

Read the full article about Kevin and his life in the Southland App HERE

SQUASH FANSHISTORY IS CALLING!

As squash moves closer to its first-ever appearance in the Olympic Games, we’re thrilled to share that the LA28 Olympic Games Ticket Draw is now officially OPEN!

This is your earliest — and best — chance to secure seats to witness squash’s Olympic debut at the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this historic moment!

How ticketdraw works

• Register your interest through the official LA28 portal.

• By entering the draw, you’ll be randomly assigned a time slot to purchase tickets.

• Tickets will be released in April 2026, and you’ll be able to buy them during your assigned time slot.

• Priority Access: This draw is the main gateway to high‑demand Olympic squash sessions.

• Be Part of History: The first-ever Olympic squash champion will be crowned in LA.

• Stay in the Loop: Get direct updates on ticket timelines and detailed squash schedules as they’re released.

Let’s show the world the passion of the squash community. LA28, here we come!

Olympic Qualification System announced for LA28 Olympic Games

The Olympic Qualification System (OQS) for the squash competition at the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, to be held July 15 24 2028, has been announced following approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board meeting at its meeting on 01 February in Milan, Italy.

The OQS will consist of five possible routes to qualification, subject to conditions: Continental Games, Host Country Quota, World Rankings, Universality Places, and a Final World Qualifying Tournament.

In its Olympic debut in Los Angeles, the squash competition will see 16-athlete draws for men’s singles and women’s singles, staged at the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios.

The OQS was developed by World Squash and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and aims to achieve an optimal balance between inclusion of the best athletes and representation of as many National Olympic Committees (NOCs) as possible across the 16 athletes in each competition. A minimum of two and a maximum of three NOCs will receive a quota of two athletes per gender, subject to meeting conditions, with all others receiving a quota of one.

Five athletes per gender will qualify via their respective Continental Games: The Asian Games (Nagoya, Japan, September 19-04 October 2026); the African Games (Cairo, Egypt, January 20-07 February 2027); the European Games (Istanbul, Turkey, June 2027); the Pan-American Games (Lima, Peru, July 16-01 August 2027); and the Pacific Games (Pirae, Tahiti, July 24-08 August 2027).

As host, the USA, via the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee, receives a quota of at least one athlete per gender, subject to conditions.

A further eight athletes per gender will qualify based on their PSA World Ranking and one universality place per gender will be available to eligible NOCs.

The remaining one quota place per gender will be decided via a 24-athlete final qualification tournament, to be held June 06-10 2028.

Read the article on World Squash’s website HERE

Men’s World No.1 Mostafa Asal (Egypt). Image credit: World Squash

ROAD TO

THREE YEARS. THREE CITIES. ONE OLYMPIC DREAM. IT BEGINS NOW.

Join the journey as New Zealand rallies behind Paul Coll and Joelle King on the path to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

NZ Squash Open, the first stop on the Road to LA.

Feel the intensity. Back our athletes. Be part of the story.

Tickets on sale now Click HERE for tickets

A Silver PSA Event Isaac Theatre Royal – Christchurch 3–8 March 2026

World-Class Field Confirmed for

A strong field featuring a host of the world’s best squash athletes has been confirmed for the 2026 New Zealand Squash Open in Christchurch. The Open is being held March 3-8 in the city’s iconic Isaac Theatre Royal, bringing world-class squash back to one of New Zealand’s most unique sporting venues.

Defending champion and Greymouth local Paul Coll headlines the men’s draw which boasts six of the world’s top 20 squash athletes.

Coll, World No. 2, will have his work cut out for him, with World No. 5 Joel Makin (Wales) joining him in the draw. 18-year-old future star Mohamad Zakaria (Egypt) will also be one to watch, alongside countryman Youssef Soliman.

Kiwis Ollie Dunbar (Wellington) and Elijah Thomas (Auckland) have been awarded the men’s wildcards, with Dunbar in hot form, this week winning the ESC New Year Open in Canada.

The women’s draw features four of the world’s top 20 athletes, alongside Kiwi squash legend Joelle King. King, a five-time Commonwealth Games Champion, is joined by Kiwi wildcards Ella Lash (Auckland) and Kaitlyn Watts (Palmerston North).

I love the New Zealand Squash Open and for me it’s really special to get to compete at home

Paul Coll

World No.14 Nele Gilis-Coll (Belgium), who is married to Paul Coll, has also been named in the women’s draw, alongside her sister Tinne Gilis who is the women’s top seed.

Paul Coll says he can’t wait to play in front of a home crowd. “I love the New Zealand Squash Open and for me it’s really special to get to compete at home, I’m pretty sure half of Greymouth came to support me last year,” said Coll.

“It’s another great field this year and there’s going to be some amazing

The overall draw features 24 men and 24 women from 23 nations and 5 continents making it a truly global event.

“This is an opportunity to see the best squash players in the world, right here in New Zealand,” said Squash Events Canterbury’s Scott Gardiner.

“The competition will be world class and it’s pretty special to watch squash in such a beautiful theatre. Tickets are selling fast so we’re

Tickets for the 2026 NZ Squash Open are on sale through Ticketek.

The 2025 event delivered a spectacular showcase of elite international squash, with the event drawing record breaking crowds and giving the city an economic boost by generating more than 2,000 visitor nights.

The 2026 event will again be classified as a Silverlevel tournament on the PSA Squash Tour and will form the centrepiece of the New Zealand Festival of Squash, which returns with a full line up of age group and international events for all squash lovers. Alongside the Open, Christchurch will also host the Oceania Masters and the New Zealand Junior Open across multiple venues including Christchurch Squash Club, Burnside Squash Club, Richmond Club Squash Centre and Christchurch Football Squash Club. The festival format provides a unique opportunity for families and squash fans to compete in their own age group tournaments while also watching some of the world’s best players on court at a world class venue.

The 2026 NZ Squash Open and associated events will once again be delivered in partnership with the Professional Squash Association (PSA), Squash Events Canterbury, Squash New Zealand Poipātū Aotearoa, and supported by key partners including ChristchurchNZ and Lucino.

top 8 men

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Paul Coll (WR 2)

New Zealand’s top star and former world No.1, Paul Coll is renowned for his athleticism, discipline, and relentless retrieving. A major title winner, he remains one of the sport’s toughest competitors and a crowd favourite on home soil as he’s back to defend his NZ Open title.

Joel Makin (WR 5)

The Welsh No.1 is famous for his physicality, intensity, and consistency at the highest level. A former top‑10 player, Makin’s relentless pressure and fitness make him one of the hardest players on tour to break down.

Mohamed Zakaria (WR 10)

One of Egypt’s fastest‑rising young talents, Zakaria has quickly impressed with his creativity, speed, and fearless attacking squash. His emergence on the PSA Tour marks him as a future star capable of beating established names.

Youssef Soliman (WR 11)

Known for his precision and tactical maturity, Soliman has steadily climbed the rankings with strong PSA results. The Egyptian’s balanced style and on‑court composure make him a consistent threat in any draw.

Jonah Bryant (WR 14)

A standout from England’s new generation, Bryant has turned heads with his smooth technique and sharp attacking instincts. His rapid rise showcases a player with enormous potential and confidence against experienced opponents.

Eain Yow Ng (WR 16)

Malaysia’s leading male player brings speed, flair, and impressive shot‑making to every match. A former World Junior Champion, he continues to establish himself as a top contender on the global stage.

Kareem El Torkey (WR 22)

El Torkey is part of Egypt’s powerful pipeline of talent, combining touch with an aggressive, front‑court‑oriented style. His dynamic play makes him a dangerous opponent capable of upsetting higher seeds.

Curtis Malik (WR 23)

England’s Curtis Malik is known for his work ethic, consistency, and improving attacking game. With several breakthrough results, he’s become a reliable and competitive presence inside major PSA draws.

top 8 women

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Tinne Gilis (WR 9)

Belgium’s world‑class shotmaker, Tinne Gilis has surged into the top tier with her speed, accuracy, and confidence. Consistent major-event performances make her one of the toughest players on tour.

Salma Hany (WR 13)

A long‑time Egyptian contender, Hany is known for her touch, movement, and ability to dictate fast, attacking rallies. Her experience and creativity keep her anchored among the world’s best.

Nele Gilis (WR 14)

Belgian No.1 and one of the tour’s fittest athletes, Nele Gilis thrives on discipline, structure, and relentless retrieving. A steady top‑10 performer, she brings exceptional mental and physical resilience.

Aira Azman (WR 20)

Malaysia’s exciting young prospect, Aira Azman has risen quickly thanks to her fearless shot‑making and fast pace. Her energetic style and confidence mark her as a future leader for Malaysian squash.

Marina Stefanoni (WR 21)

The American talent continues to climb the professional ranks with her disciplined structure and tactical maturity. A former junior standout, Stefanoni brings controlled aggression and resilience to every match.

Aifa Azman (WR 28)

A powerful and attacking Malaysian player, Aifa Azman is known for her explosive pace and willingness to take the ball early. She has already delivered notable wins against top names.

Tomato Ho (WR 34)

Hong Kong’s Tomato 5o has built a reputation for her speed, precision, and calm under pressure. Her consistent PSA progress and smart tactical play make her a dangerous mid‑draw seed.

Ka Yi Lee (WR 39)

Another strong Hong Kong competitor, Ka Yi Lee combines athletic movement with disciplined shot selection. Her resilience and steady improvements continue to elevate her presence on the international stage.

Squash for Life Supporters Club

We’re excited to share an important new initiative that will help open the court to more young people across New Zealand — the Squash for Life Supporters Club, led by the Squash For Life Trust.

Across the country, too many young Kiwis across different backgrounds miss out on the joy of squash because of cost, access, or a lack of welcoming local spaces. The Supporters Club has been created to change that. By building a growing community of people who care about the next generation, we can remove barriers, bring squash into more schools and communities, and support clubs to create environments where young people feel safe, supported, and inspired.

Joining the Supporters Club is free, and simply means receiving a small number of stories each year that show the impact our collective support is making. For those who feel inspired to do more, optional pathways such as Gold Membership will be introduced later — but the heart of this movement is connection, belonging, and belief in what squash can offer young people.

We are proud that this kaupapa will be supported by respected leaders within our squash community including Dame Susan Devoy and others who share our vision for the next generation.

Together, we can help every young Kiwi discover the healthiest game in the world.

JOIN THE SQUASH FOR LIFE SUPPORTERS CLUB

HELP OPEN THE COURT FOR EVERY YOUNG KIWI

Your support helps young Kiwis from all backgrounds to discover the joy of squash by removing cost barriers, bringing squash into schools and communities, and creating safe, welcoming spaces at clubs.

Join for free and become part of a growing community that believes every young Kiwi deserves the chance to play.

Squash For Life Trust –Supporters Club

SQUASH STARS SHOWCASE:

Greymouth Squash Club

Format:

• Run in two time slots of 45 minutes each, totaling 1.5 hours on court per evening.

• Programme delivered using Squash Stars templates and resources.

• Four club members were involved in the organisation and running - three adults and one older junior. Two adults managed administration (emails, lists, registrations, group allocation, and communication), while the other adult and junior assisted with set-up and session delivery.

• Pre-programme admin took 3–4 hours, with additional time for online (30 minutes) and in-person (1.5 hours) training. Each session required 30 minutes of pre-planning and 30 minutes for equipment set-up.

Participants:

• 27 participants, all new to squash.

• Five children had family connections to the club but had never played before.

• The programme was successful in attracting completely new players to the sport.

Promotion:

• Used Squash Stars promotional materials and templates.

• Promotion channels included the club’s Facebook page, emails to club members, and outreach to local primary schools.

• Leveraged Squash NZ’s support for registration and payments, reducing the administrative burden on club volunteers.

Why It Works:

Volunteer Engagement: Four club members contributed, ensuring sessions were well-supported and fun.

Ongoing Pathways: After the initial programme, a four-week follow-up was offered to older children ready for modified games. Of 12 participants, 11 joined a subsidised parent and junior membership, and a six-month membership was offered at a reduced rate for families.

Retention Efforts: Continued communication with families, including invitations to summer social competitions, helped maintain engagement. Some children have started using the courts independently.

Advice for Other Clubs: Volunteers are essential for a fun and successful programme. It’s equally important to have a clear pathway for ongoing participation, so children who want to continue have something to “hook into”. This experience has prompted the club to develop more options for continued involvement.

Expression of Interest:

2027 MASTERS TRANS TASMAN SELECTORS

SNZ is seeking Expressions of Interest from individuals interested in serving as a selector for the 2027 Masters Trans Tasman team.

We are looking for people who:

• Are in good standing with their district,

• Have strong knowledge and experience in Masters squash, either as a player, coach, or team manager,

• Can contribute to a fair, transparent, and well‑informed selection process.

If you’re interested, please send your Squash CV — outlining your relevant experience and involvement to: catherine@squashnz.co.nz

Expressions of Interest will remain open until the panel is appointed.

We encourage anyone with the right background and passion for Masters squash to apply.

Member Survey Results –thanks for your input

Squash New Zealand Poipātū Aotearoa is proud to announce the results of the 2025 Voice of Participant (VOP) Survey, carried out in partnership with Sport NZ.

This survey highlights the sport’s outstanding performance in participant satisfaction, value for money, and club environment outperforming national averages across most key metrics when compared to 18 other major sports in New Zealand.

Key highlights from the survey results include;

High Satisfaction: 78% of squash club participants reported being ‘very’ or ‘extremely satisfied’ with their overall club experience, consistent with 2023 and significantly higher than the all-sports average (66%). An impressive 96% are satisfied to some degree, with only 4% dissatisfied.

Net Promoter Score (NPS): Squash achieved an NPS of +72, up 4 points from 2023 and a remarkable 26 points higher than the all-sports average (+46). 78% of respondents are highly likely to recommend their club to others.

Likelihood to Rejoin: 90% of squash participants are likely or very likely to rejoin their club next year, compared to 83% for all sports.

Value for Money: 87% of squash participants feel they receive good value for money, 13 percentage points above the all-sports average (74%).

Club Environment: 93% say their club provides a supportive and encouraging environment, and 92% report an inclusive environment. Trust in clubs to handle integrity issues is high at 86%, 7 points above the allsports average

Key Results and Metrics

Top Drivers of Satisfaction:

• Friendly and welcoming atmosphere (88% very/ extremely satisfied)

• Safe environment for adults and children (87%)

• Good sportsmanship and fair play (87%)

• Supportive coaching for young people (97% say coaches help build confidence)

Areas for Improvement:

• Facilities (clubrooms, changing rooms, toilets) are the top priority for improvement (39% of respondents).

• Player development programmes and finding players of similar ability are also highlighted as areas needing attention.

• 29% reported experiencing inappropriate behaviour at least occasionally, a figure in line with other sports.

What Matters Most to Participants:

• Having fun and a laugh (76%)

• Getting fit/exercise (70%)

• Easy access to courts (61%)

• Social environment and sense of belonging are highly valued.

Comparison with Other Sports

Squash consistently outperforms the national average across all key metrics:

• Overall satisfaction: +12 percentage points above all sports

• NPS: +26 points

• Value for money: +13 points

• Likelihood to rejoin: +7 points

• Satisfaction with all drivers: +11 to +17 points

• Supportive club environment and trust in integrity: +7 points each.

Quotes

“Eight in ten squash participants are highly satisfied with their club experience, and our NPS is among the highest in New Zealand grassroots sport. These results reflect the dedication of our clubs, coaches, and volunteers in creating welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environments,” said Squash New Zealand Poipātū Aotearoa CE Martin Dowson.

View the full Voice of Participant report HERE

PSA Squash tour

Coll Downs Cardenas to be Crowned Squash in the Land 2026 Champion

New Zealand’s Paul Coll has marked his first visit to Cleveland by taking down No.2 seed Leonel Cardenas in straight games to capture the Squash in the Land 2026 title.

The World No.2 only dropped one game during his campaign at the silver level event in Cleveland, with the Kiwi notching up a 3-0 victory today to secure his 30th title on the PSA Squash Tour.

Coll had won the previous two encounters with Cardenas on Tour, with the last coming in the final of Motor City Open last year where he claimed a 3-1 victory.

Cardenas, who won this event back in 2024, stood toeto-toe with Coll in the first two games which were both physical battles. However it was the New Zealander who was able to hold his nerve when it mattered most to close out the first 11-7.

After a bruising 21-minute opener, the Mexican had his opportunities to restore parity in the second game but saw two game ball chances saved by Coll. The Kiwi squandered one game ball opportunity of his own, but converted in the tiebreak to go 2-0 up.

The 24-minute second game looked to have taken its toll on Cardenas, as Coll was too sharp in the third to close it out 11-4 and seal the title.

Oli Dunbar claims his first $6K PSA title

Oli Dunbar has claimed the ESC New Year Open 2026, a $6K PSA Challenger event held at the Edmonton Squash Club in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, delivering another massive result in what is becoming an increasingly impressive Dunbar résumé.

In an absolute battle on court, Oli took down second seed Alfredo Avila Vergara in a huge five-setter — 13–11, 9–11, 11–8, 8–11, 11–9, an 88-minute marathon that showed grit, composure, and class when it mattered most.

The event ran 14–18 January 2026 and was a huge win, a huge performance, and a brilliant start to the year for Oli Dunbar — marking his first PSA 6K title and a standout moment early in the 2026 season.

“I’ve seen the event here in Cleveland for many years and the way it has grown into a Silver event, with a full glass court, it’s awesome. I’ve loved it here this week,” he said.

“One of the coolest things about squash is going to towns and getting that real sense of community and welcoming. I’ve had a great week in Cleveland.”

Result

[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt. [2] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 3-0: 11-7, 14-12, 11-4 (63m

Photo credit; PSA

Asal too good for Coll in Tournament of Champions Final

New Zealand’s Paul Coll has been defeated 3-0 by World No. 1 Mostafa Asal in the final of the Sprott Tournament of Champions in New York.

Asal looked impressive from the outset, grinding Coll down over 24 minutes in the opening game to take an 11-6 win.

Coll struggled to find any momentum in the second as Asal found his rhythm and showcased his class, hitting a barrage of winners to dominate the scoreline 11 1.

It was more of the same in the final game, Asal writing his name in the history books at Grand Central Terminal, growing a commanding lead and playing his trademark precision squash to win 11-4.

It was the first time either of the players had reached the final of the platinum level tournament. Coll will next be in action at the Windy City Open in Chicago, starting February 5th.

Result:

[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt. [2] Paul Coll (NZL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-1, 11-4 (58m)

SNZ Athlete Commission

SNZ is pleased to announce the new members of the Athlete Commission.

These athletes will play a key role in ensuring the athlete voice remains central to everything we do within the High Performance programme.

They will help shape direction, provide insight and feedback, and be an important part of moving the programme forward.

We are incredibly appreciative of the time, energy, and perspective these athletes bring, and we thank them for their commitment to helping ensure our performance environment continues to grow and improve for current and future athletes.

• Joelle King

• Elijah Thomas

• Ella Lash

• Freddie Jameson

• Emma Merson

• Maiden-Lee Coe

Freddie Jameson

Photo credit; PSA

Peak Performance with Kemp HIGH PERFORMANCE WHY MOST PLAYERS PLATEAU AND WHAT ACTUALLY BREAKS IT

In squash, improvement rarely stops because players lose motivation. More often, progress stalls because the environment stops asking new questions. Plateaus are not a judgement on ability. They are a signal that what once worked is no longer enough.

Most players experience early gains through exposure and repetition. Skills improve, fitness increases, confidence grows. Then results stabilise. Matches feel harder to win, but nothing obvious is “wrong”. This is the point at which many assume they have reached their limit. In reality, they have reached the limit of their current approach.

The Comfort Problem

Plateaus are sustained by comfort. Training routines become familiar. Patterns that previously brought success are repeated and reinforced. The opponents change, but the player does not.

Crucially, this is not a lack of effort. Many players train more during a plateau, not realising that more of the same rarely produces a different outcome.

Common Causes Across Levels

At club level, players often repeat the same drills with the same partners. Rally tolerance improves, but matches are still decided by the same moments and the same errors.

In juniors, early success built on physical advantage or single strengths can hide underlying gaps. When peers catch up, progress slows unless those gaps are addressed.

Developing elite players may dominate domestically but struggle

as decision making, speed of play, and tactical complexity increase. Good technique or fitness alone no longer separates performance.

What Actually Breaks a Plateau

Progress resumes when training demands change. Adding variety to technical work broadens a player’s options. Constraint based drills that alter space, targets, or rules force adaptation rather than repetition.

Decision making must be trained under fatigue. Matches are not lost because players cannot hit shots, but because they choose the wrong ones when tired or under pressure. Training that prioritises games and scenarios over closed drills prepares players for those moments.

The Takeaway

Pressure must also be present in practice. Score based games, consequences for errors, and specific outcome targets introduce the emotional load that competition brings.

Finally, feedback and learning close the loop. Tracking a small number of indicators such as quality of length, number of winners and errors, or number of volleys per rally, provides clarity. Improvement then becomes visible and intentional.

Plateaus do not mean potential has been exhausted. They mean adaptation has paused.

Players who continue to progress are not defined by effort alone. They are defined by their willingness to change how they train, how they solve problems, and how they measure success.

If you feel stuck, do not ask for more of the same. Ask different questions in your training. The answers are often closer than you think.

JONATHAN KEMP National Performance Coach

OCEANIA SQUASH MASTERS

4-7 MARCH 2026 | CHRISTCHURCH | NEW ZEALAND

AGE GROUPS

35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70 plus (Age from the 4th March 2026)

ENTRY

Entry fee $50

Enter through MySquash (New Zealand players) or via the link below

ENTER HERE

15% discount on tickets for NZ Squash Open sessions on 3rd-5th (on sale end of October).

Secure finals tickets for 6th-8th on Ticketek HERE (on sale now)

Exclusive invite to purchase ticket to VIP opening at Isaac Theatre Royal NZ Squash Open 1st round, food and open bar. More details to follow.

ONE WEEK. ONE CITY. SQUASH FOR ALL. PLAY. WATCH. CELEBRATE.

HIGH PERFORMANCE

National development player

EMMA MERSON, 20

DEVOY SQUASH AND FITNESS CENTRE

What has been the highlight of your squash career so far?

My biggest highlight of my junior career is making the 2024 NZ Junior Worlds Team that went to Houston, Texas. Representing NZ has always been a dream of mine and being able to do that throughout my junior career on the world stage will always be a huge highlight for me.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received in your squash journey?

Setbacks and hard times are always the things that bring you back stronger when you push through them, as that’s where your biggest progress comes from and where you become mentally stronger and more resilient.

What part of your game are you most focused on improving right now?

Right now I have been focusing on developing a stronger on court mindset and improving my shot selection, staying composed under pressure and making smarter choices on court.

Who has had the biggest influence on your development as a player, and why?

Jonathan Kemp has played a major role in my development as a player. His insight into squash is outstanding and his knowledge and coaching style has helped me improve significantly. He is always enthusiastic and willing to offer support and advice. Working with Jonathan has helped me come a long way as he has improved my understanding of my game in all areas and continues to show me what I need to focus on to keep progressing while always being there to help and support me.

What are you most looking forward to in the next few months — on or off the court?

I am looking forward to the tournament season starting again, particularly with the NZ Head Pro Tour taking place this year. A key focus for me at the moment is continuing to develop my personal game and strengthen my mindset. Over the coming months, I am excited to keep working on these areas and monitor my progress. Selection for Senior Worlds is also a major goal which motivates me to maintain a strong training focus.

What’s one thing about you that most people wouldn’t know?

Alongside training hard and working towards going pro in squash, I’m also chipping away at a sports science degree through the University of Waikato and working part time. Outside of that, I love being in the sun and getting a tan… hahaha.

5-8 MARCH / CHRISTCHURCH SQUASH CLUBS

15% discount on tickets for NZ Squash Open sessions on 3rd-5th (on sale end of October)

A code will be provided upon entry. Secure finals tickets for 6th-8th March on Ticketek HERE (on sale now)

Open entry to anyone under 19 as at 8 March 2026

ENTRY

Entry fee $40

Enter through MySquash (New Zealand players) or via following link DIVISIONS seeded by SquashLevels, not age groups

ENTER HERE

Players must be available from noon 5th March

ONE WEEK. ONE CITY. SQUASH FOR ALL. PLAY. WATCH. CELEBRATE.

Buck the trend

Mike Dale speaks to squash’s most outspoken podcast host and rounds up the sport’s best audio treats

British readers will be familiar with the Sky Sports programme Soccer Saturday, hosted until recently by the great Je! Stelling. It’s essentially five hours of rotund ex-footballers describing matches which they watch live on monitors but the viewer can’t see.

Middle-aged men talking about football is not a format that should work, and yet somehow, it has become firmly embedded must-watch TV. A similar observation might be levelled at the Squash Radio podcast.

Co-hosted by American tournament MC Bill Buckingham and former British champion and Squash TV commentator Paul Johnson (aka PJ), Squash Radio is about to enter its ninth year on the digital airwaves.

Aside from the occasional bigname guest, it’s just two a!able, knowledgeable guys talking about the latest happenings on the PSA Tour, seasoned by tasty sprinklings of candour, gossip, critique and opinion.

While PJ is slightly more sensitive in his observations on players (due to having to rub shoulders with them on Tour), it’s fair to say that Buckingham releases the handbrake every time the recording light goes red. To put it colloquially, he doesn’t give a s**t.

“I’m at the stage of life now where I don’t particularly feel the need to edit what I say,” Buckingham tells Squash Player. “I’m a nonentity in the squash world for the most part, so nothing I say can actually a!ect me anyway.”

‘Non-entity’ is inaccurate. Buckingham is a well-known figure on the US squash scene

as MC at tournaments such as the Windy City Open and Squash On Fire Open. Previously, he worked for US Squash for 18 years in a variety of roles.

His career began in the hospitality business which led to becoming sports marketing director for the Greater New Haven region of Connecticut. Part of that role was to attract big sports competitions to the region and organise logistics. One of those events was the 1999 US Junior Open at Yale University.

“I met with Brian and Mark Talbot to discuss the event,” he remembers. “I was in my 30s, but hadn’t exercised in years. I even drove the four blocks to their o!ice!

“I had never even heard of squash before, so they gave me a racket, shoes and a pass to the gym. I started playing squash that week and before long I was playing at Yale every day. I lost all the weight, started going to the ToC and supporting Yale in college squash when Julian Illingworth was their big star.”

Working on Yale’s events led to a job o!er from US Squash CEO Kevin Klipstein which began a long working relationship between the pair. The undulating course of that colleagueship and the fortunes of US Squash are one of Buckingham’s frequent topics of often astoundingly candid discussion on Squash Radio.

Buckingham describes how Klipstein’s ‘dressing down’ of a volunteer at the US Open at Drexel in 2011 indirectly led to him becoming a tournament MC. The volunteer in question quit

“Middle-aged men talking about football is not a format that should work, and yet somehow, it has become firmly embedded must-watch TV. A similar observation might be levelled at the Squash Radio podcast”

“While PJ is slightly more sensitive in his observations on players (due to having to rub shoulders with them on Tour), it’s fair to say that Buckingham releases the handbrake every time the recording light goes red”

on the spot, and Buckingham was hastily assigned to fill the vacancy, which developed into taking the microphone during the qualifiers and first two rounds.

Gilly Lane was the regular MC on the US Open showcourt, but when he was at a friend’s wedding in 2018, Buckingham took over. He was in his element, using his rasping east coast tones and infectious joviality to immediately put players at ease in on-court interviews.

That led to a call from an impressed Amr Khalifa asking Buckingham to take the mic for a tournament at the famous Black Ball Club in Cairo, and so a new career was born. Buckingham retired from US Squash in 2024 aged 62.

Another US Squash employee, Connor O’Malley, had founded the Squash Radio podcast in 2017 as a long-form interview show and invited Buckingham to be part of it during the pandemic. With Bill’s influence,

it shifted to a more irreverent chat show format with PJ and Joey Barrington as occasional guests.

When O’Malley left, Buckingham took over and roped in PJ as his sidekick, keeping the casual format with the occasional special guest punctuating their barstool-style dialogue.

In a recent development, Squash Radio has pooled with rivals Squash University and The Rally Report under the umbrella of the ‘Squash Podcast Network’ in order to attract more advertisers, a move which is already bearing fruit to their collective benefit.

But the presence of corporate backers will not dilute Buckingham’s acerbic observations of the professional squash world. He says: “We do occasionally cut bits out if either of us in uncomfortable, but it’s fair to say that doesn’t happen too often!”

SQUASH PODCASTS

SQUASH PLAYER PODCAST

Our very own podcast launched in May and is now seven episodes old. Our editor Nathan Clarke hosts and guests are immediately eased into in-depth, almost therapy-like sitdowns that reveal under-the-bonnet emotions, motivations and fascinating anecdotes.

IN SQUASH

Host Gerry Gibson is truly ‘The Podfather’ with 380 episodes in his back catalogue. The Emirates-based Canadian has welcomed almost every major figure in the sport (and a few lesser-knowns too) on to his show to gently grill them about their careers and topical issues.

THE RALLY REPORT

Sean Choi, who’s also a commentator on the National Squash League, welcomes guests from the PSA Tour, with chats spiced up by regular fun features ‘Quick Fire’ and ‘Blind Rankings.’

SPORTMIND

UK-based South African Jesse Engelbrecht brings his expertise as a mental performance coach to the microphone alongside guests from the worlds of pro squash, sports psychology and coaching.

BETWEEN THE LINES

Former world no.1 Laura Massaro sits alongside ex-pro turned mentor Ahad Raza as they forensically break down the secrets behind their guests’ success and o!er coaching and fitness tips.

SQUASH UNIVERSITY

Gilly Lane and Jackson Bradman o!er regular wrap-ups of the US varsity squash scene, including match previews, reviews and interviews.

OUTSIDE THE GLASS

Now sadly discontinued, it would be remiss not to mention James Zug’s collection of 101 excellent interviews which are still available on Spotify and other platforms.

Guest Writer – Joanna Shanks

Rethinking Prize Incentives in New Zealand Squash

I’ve hacked my way around the domestic squash scene in New Zealand for some years and at times I’ve been fortunate to receive very generous prize money. We are talking some years ago now, and although greatly appreciated at the time, I can wholeheartedly say that monetary gain was never the motivation for entering a squash tournament, ever. I desperately wanted to make that club, or district team. I wanted my name on a trophy, or the club champ board. I wanted to get to A1.

I enjoyed the physical benefits of training, the thrill of competition, and the elation of watching grading list points accumulate. Most of all, I enjoyed the camaraderie and making lifelong friends. Of course this is my personal experience but I’ve spoken to a number of players who share this sentiment. So why are we incentivising players with so many prizes, in particular cash prizes? Especially at a time when many clubs are struggling to make ends meet. Speaking to representatives from the tennis and badminton communities, both agree that squash is overly generous with its prize distribution. In a standard squash tournament eight draw, at times as many as five participants will come away with a prize; winner, runner up, plate, special plate and consolation plate. There are not many sports where you can lose the majority of your games and still claim a reward.

After speaking to the matriarch of a talented Auckland squash whanau, I was saddened to hear that they are struggling to pay ongoing tournament entry fees. $4050 is now the going rate for most tournaments and this is only trending upwards. An entry fee will occasionally include a meal, but a squash club with good manaakitanga should offer this anyway.

Squash players should be driven by intrinsic motivation. The British Junior Squash Open only financially rewards the winners of the Under 19 divisions, all other winners receive small trophies and ranking points. To put that into perspective, that’s two of 700+ players.

The Junior Australian Tennis Open does not pay a cent to its competitors, not even the victors. The focus is on improving skills and ranking, not financial reward. If some of the world’s top up and coming junior racket sports players are not being paid out, why are we giving 8 year old Bobby-Joe from Royal Oak $50 for winning the division 5 round robin? ‘Because the parents deserve to have the entry fee reimbursed’ I hear Paul Tuffin say. Good point, Paul.*

With skyrocketing operational costs I understand clubs need revenue electricity alone increasing over 20% in the past five years - and they need it more than ever. Facilities are aging and memberships aren’t flowing in like they were in the 80’s. If we reimagine prizes/prize money allocation at our tournaments, clubs may be in the position to offer lower entry fees whilst still generating a modest profit from running an event. Does this make more dollars and sense?

*Bobby-Joe is not a real person, and Paul Tuffin did not comment for this article.

ABOUT JOANNA SHANKS

Club: Royal Oak Grade: A2

Highest NZ rank: 8 NZ masters team representative

New Zealand DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPs

Palmerston North / 17-18 april

• Mens/Womens/Mixed Open

• Mens/Womens Masters 35+

• Mens 50+

• Social

• In MySquash, add your partner and draw/draws in the entry notes

• $40 for one division / $70 for two divisions Can enter a maximum of 2 divisions.

• Last day of entry: 5th April

Inspire Net SquashGym Palmerston North 20/22 Linton Street, Palmerston North

Anna Saunders tournament@squashgym.co.nz

THEME: Emerald 20th Anniversary for SG Doubles courts

Eyewear compulsory

Prizes for Best Dressed

Games starting from midday Friday, finals Saturday followed by dinner

Club feedback survey

Getting into the habit of sending out post event player feedback surveys is a great way to get quality feedback from the players. This feedback can help you as a TC grow and improve yours/ clubs delivery of tournaments.

If sending out a player survey it is important to get this out as soon as possible after the event ends so it’s still fresh on the players’ minds. You may need to send a reminder email to boost up responses if after a couple days the response rate is still low.

What makes a good survey:

• Simple and easy to follow.

• Doesn’t take too long to complete.

• Received promptly after conclusion of event.

• States its purpose and why responders should complete.

What to include in your players’ feedback survey?

• Player’s rating on overall experience

• Player’s ratings on different aspects of the event and the club (E.g., facilities, bar and kitchen service, communication, information available etc.)

• Open ended questions like:

• What went well/what did you enjoy most about your experience?

• What did not go so well/what can we improve on for our next event?

• Anything else that you or the club want to hear from players.

Make sure you give a deadline about a week or two after sent for responses to come in.

Once deadline has passed it is important that you review and summarize the feedback. Most survey sites have report options that you can download, these are great and can save you time. Make a few key points or a one page summary of what went well, not well and what you are going to improve for next time, this will come in handy when you next run an event rather than reading through all the individual feedback.

Reminder: Make sure to share the feedback with your club committee, volunteers and others who may benefit e.g., kitchen staff or cleaners.

Be mindful that often people who take the time to complete surveys will be the ones that want to moan and the happy people that had a great time wont response so be aware of this!

Free online survey sites:

Survey Monkey Google forms

Squash tops Order our cool Order our cool

Choose between hoodie, mid-layer top and a standard T-shirt. Check out the colour options and place your order by clicking the link below.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

Makarewa Squash Club

/ SOUTHLAND

Makarewa Squash Club is situated just 10 minutes from Invercargill and is a two-court complex with a strong sense of community. It is a happy, welcoming club where members quickly become part of the wider squash family from the moment they walk through the door.

With just over 100 active members, the club enjoys a positive atmosphere and a membership that is a pleasure to be around. The committee works effectively together and is always well supported by the membership when tasks need to be undertaken.

Makarewa Squash Club consistently participates in as many opportunities as possible, and the past year was no exception. Junior training and coaching were held on Mondays throughout the year, excluding Term 4. This programme also included a junior player from Dipton Club, as there were no other junior players at his home club. All junior boys supported and attended district junior training camps. Eli Young and Jenson West were joint winners of the Southland One Day Series. Ryan Lindsay, Jacob Hogg and Liam Hogg were nominated for the New Zealand Future Ferns Camp, with Jacob and Liam attending both the camps and Nationals for valuable experience. Yasmin McLean, Jacob Hogg, Liam Hogg and Jordan Hogg competed at the South Island Age Groups, where Yasmin won the Under 19 Girls title and also claimed both the Southland Juniors and Otago Juniors Girls titles in 2025. Jordan Hogg was awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy at the Otago Juniors.

Weekly coaching and training sessions were held for two months leading into Interclub, with 20 members taking part. The same coaching programme was offered again prior to Super Champs. The club had strong representation at Super Champs, entering teams in the Men’s C, D, E and F/J grades, and the Women’s D and E grades. Makarewa Squash Club was the only club to field a Men’s F/J team, resulting in an automatic win. Susan Tither won the Southland Women’s F Grade Individual Championships, and the club also had a team competing in every Southlandwide ILT division on Interclub Finals Day.

Southland Junior Programme, supported by three Makarewa members who volunteered their time to coach juniors across the region. Regan McNaught coached the Southland Junior National Boys Team at the 2025 Nationals. Nicky McNaught continues to represent New Zealand internationally as a referee and generously shares her expertise with Southland clubs through rules and refereeing evenings.

Significant facility improvements were completed during the year, including repainting the court walls, lowering the ceilings on both courts, upgrading the lighting, and installing a camera in the bar to help safeguard the club’s future. New air exchange units were installed on both courts — the only ones of their kind in Southland. The out lines on both courts were replaced with tin to create an audible sound for more accurate calls, and a free standing court was purchased to reduce downtime during weekly junior coaching.

The club runs a social league year round on Thursday nights for both new and existing members. Two members serve on the Southland Squash Board, contributing to the wider squash community. Club President Andrea Dudley organised and ran the

Beyond squash, the club organised and ran an Ambrose golf tournament, coordinated an overseas trip to Stewart Island to play at the world’s southernmost squash court, and hosted a Sip and Paint evening for a ladies’ night at the club, which proved to be a great success.

Above all, Makarewa Squash Club continued to play squash as often as possible — and as well as possible.

Looking to do an upgrade to your club or give it a facelift?

On our facilities page you can get more information about:

• Floor cleaning

• Wall cleaning

• Wall maintenance and repair

• Squash court floor sanding

• Squash court floor replacement

• New court lights

• Court heating and ventilation

• Changing room and bathroom facilities

• Lounge facilities

• Kitchen / Bar facilities

Looking to build a new facility or expand your existing club?

• Needs assessment

• Feasibility

• Facility guidelines

• Design and consent

For information contact our Facility Advisor Jamie Archibald jamie@squashnz.co.nz

Special deals

Click HERE to see special deals for affiliated squash clubs

NZ Referees at the Big Event –

BJO 100TH ANNIVERSARY

While the rest of the Squash community was putting their feet up over the holidays for a wellearned Christmas break, Nicky McNaught and Allan Bailey gave up their summer vacation time to pack their winter hats and coats and head off the Birmingham UK for the 100th Anniversary British Junior Open.

This prestigious event is a feature on the international Junior Calendar and attracts players from all over the world. Everyone wants to win a BJO Age Group title, we knew prior to going the titles were a big deal but had no idea how much this would prove to be the case.

BJO facts:

• 752 players competing in 5 age groups for boys and girls

• 5 venues – 18 courts at the 2 main venues i ncluding 2 glass courts

• 35 referees from 10 countries

• 4 days of competition

• 2 days of snow and -2 degrees daytime temp one day

• 1000% passion from supporters

So, how did our Kiwi referees find the experience? Well, it certainly wasn’t a holiday – both Nicky and Allan officiated over 30 matches each in 4 days, catching the shuttle at 8am and if they were lucky, coming back to the hotel around 8pm. Refereeing was pretty much continuous for the first 2 days – 2 matches on then 1 off, rotating between 2 courts in a team of 3.

Highlight for each of them:

• Nicky being one of the 10 referees allocated to a glass court final match, the Boys U11. A testament to the hard work she has put into developing her skills.

• Allan meeting and working with some of the World’s best officiators. An amazing opportunity in his career to date

Any challenges or difference from NZ events? The approach towards managing behaviour was very clear, any dissent or poor player behaviour was a conduct stroke. Coaching during play has been an issue at this event in the past, therefore any coaching during the games was an instant conduct stroke, and if it continued, then conduct game and the offender had to leave the court area. All players and their supporters were informed of this in a directive prior to the event, so

no excuses. Feedback from the wider refereeing team was that behaviour was vastly improved at this year’s event so goodness knows what it was like previously.

While England Squash covered certain expenses during the event, a lot of this trip (including flights) was selffunded for our referees, so a huge thanks must go out to the people that supported their fundraising efforts in the lead up. A massive thanks also to Peter Hindmarsh and the team at England Squash and the WSO for giving 2 Kiwis the opportunity to referee on the world stage at a top tier event.

Being a referee isn’t always the most glamorous of jobs, but it certainly creates some awesome opportunities just like this one. Keen to get involved? Contact your local Level 3 referee and start on the pathway today!

My opponent makes comments to the referee every time I ask for a let, trying to tell them why it should be a no let. Is this allowed?

Q A Hey Ref!

No. This can be seen as influencing the referee and should be managed by the referee asking the player not to make any comments before the decision is made. At this time, a player may ask for an explanation, but should not dispute the call or make negative comments.

Rule 14.6:

If a player’s conduct is unacceptable, the Referee must penalise the player, stopping play if necessary. Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited to:

14.6.5 dissent to an Official 14.6.6 attempting to influence the referee.

Do you have a refereeing question or a situation you are not sure about?

Chances are others may have the same query. Send your query to Nicky McNaught: kevinandnicky@outlook.co.nz and we will share the answers with the squash community each month.

Please note – every situation is different and without seeing the exact context (player skill, direction of movement etc) we are giving our responses based on the rules and some guidance on how to apply them.

ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026

WORLD SQUASH MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Australia will welcome players, supporters, and squash fans from around the globe to the for the 2026 World Squash Masters Championships.

The event will be held in in Perth, Australia, 30th August - 6th September 2026.

You can expect an unforgettable celebration of squash, community, and competition as they bring together masters athletes of all ages and nations in a showcase of passion, performance, and international spirit.

MOST IMPROVED / JANUARY

MOST IMPROVED FEMALE

BHAVREEN KAUR / Lugton Park

MOST IMPROVED MALE congratulations congratulations

24.3%

STEVE BOGGS / Hawkes Bay

25.4%

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

The 2026 Squash New Zealand National Coaching Conferences will be delivered in both the North and South Island, making them accessible to as many coaches as possible.

This year’s conference is designed for Foundation and Development level coaches, including anyone working with juniors and seniors who are ungraded through to approximately C grade.

Across the weekend, a mix of speakers, practical workshops, group and panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and on court observations will explore topics such as:

• FUN-damentals first

• Teaching the swing – made simple

• Community connection: linking clubs and communities

• Creating engaging sessions for adult beginners

Our aim is for coaches to leave the conference feeling more confident, better connected, and equipped with practical tools they can apply immediately.

The full agenda will be released by the end of February.

Squash Star Activator Trainers

We will also use the conferences to begin building a network of Squash Star Activator Trainers. These individuals will be supported with the resources and knowledge needed to help grow the next wave of Squash Star activators. Anyone attending either conference can join these sessions to learn how to train activators.

Registration & Costs

• Conference fee: $50.00 (includes lunch on both days)

• Accommodation (optional): $100 per person, twin share

– Podium Lodge (Cambridge)

– Bealey Quarter (Christchurch)

Payment for the conference and accommodation (if required) is due at the time of registration.

Conference Times

Both conferences will:

• Start at 10:00am on Saturday

• Conclude by 4:00pm on Sunday

We look forward to welcoming coaches from across the country for a weekend of learning, connection, and development.

If you have any questions about attending the Coaching Conference, please contact john@squashnz.co.nz.

Joy Edmond

February

The Temuka Squash Club is fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers, but few shine quite as brightly as Joy. For the past several years, she has taken on the dual roles of Treasurer and Secretary, running both with exceptional efficiency. Her organisational skills ensure the smooth day‑to‑day functioning of the club, and her accurate recording of minutes and strong contributions to committee agendas help keep the club moving forward with clarity and purpose.

Joy’s impact, however, extends well beyond administration. She has been the driving force behind organising catering for club championships, even securing a live band to elevate the event atmosphere. Her involvement in the club’s social media presence has also been invaluable; she consistently shares important updates and information, keeping members engaged and well informed.

Welcoming new members is something Joy takes particular pride in. She is always willing to meet them at the courts, give them a tour, and make sure they feel part of the Temuka community from the outset. She also oversaw the distribution of new key cards following a lock upgrade and played a key role in transitioning the club’s membership information into a digital management system.

This 24/25 season brought two major events: the Temuka 50th Jubilee and the Midlands District PSA tournament. Both carried tight deadlines and required countless hours of behind‑the‑scenes labour—much of which Joy shouldered. Her responsibilities ranged from completing the special event and liquor licence applications, to organising sponsorship and catering for PSA officials, to handling all sponsor invoicing and payments. She also coordinated food trucks for both weekends, arranged a DJ for the jubilee celebrations, sourced an impressive jubilee cake, and assisted with venue setup and pack‑down.

Remarkably, Joy did all of this during a season when injury kept her from spending much time on court. Her enthusiasm, however, never faltered. She continued attending meetings and events with her trademark positivity and warmth. Her contagious energy lifts the club’s spirits, and many members agree that she is the heartbeat of Temuka Squash Club.

Joy’s tireless dedication, bright personality, and unwavering commitment make her an indispensable part of the community. Temuka’s members feel incredibly grateful to have her—because the club simply wouldn’t be the same without her.

PRISON RACKETS

In the London debtors’ prisons rackets (as squash was referred to in its earlier days) became recognised for the first time as an independent sport. First mentioned in the 1740s in the Fleet Prison, from then on we begin to find occasional references to the prison game.

By 1800 the game was firmly established. At that time these prisons were peculiar, lively places. Most prisoners were not locked up in their rooms and many had their families living with them. Outsiders could walk in and out, and the prisons became popular London sites. There was a coffee house, some rooms had shops, spirits were sold, and the Fleet was even called the largest brothel in London.

There were four open rackets courts in the King’s Bench, and in the Fleet at least two. The racket masters were prisoners, who received fees for hiring out the court and equipment. Some earned enough to pay off all their debts. Players were outsiders as well as prisoners. The early champions of the open court had apparently all learned the game while living there. Matches for high stakes were regularly held between the top players, often in front of a large crowd.

By Andrew Shelley and Bas van Hoorn

Hailing from Rotorua, Devoy became arguably the greatest women’s player ever. She dominated international squash for a decade, winning four world titles from 1985-92 (when the tournament was played only every second year), eight British Open crowns, the New Zealand Open Championship eight times, the national championship 10 times and a host of other major international titles. Devoy, with her athleticism, fierce training ethic and array of strokes, became ever more dominant through her career and in 1992, the year of her retirement, won the Australian, British, French, Hong Kong, Irish, New Zealand, Scottish, Swedish and world titles.

Source: Squash then and now: A celebration.

SQUASH NEW ZEALAND

POIPĀTŪ AOTEAROA

National tournament calendar

Event

3rd - 8th

4th - 7th

5th - 8th

17th - 18th

29th - 31st

3rd - 5th

10th - 12th

17th - 18th

7th - 9th

14th - 15th

21st - 23rd

16th - 19th

New Zealand Open

Oceania Masters

New Zealand Junior Open

New Zealand Doubles Championships

Mitchell Cup & Cousins Shield

HEAD New Zealand Championships + National Graded Champs

North Island Junior Age Groups

South Island Junior Age Groups

NZ Secondary Schools Squash Nationals

NZ Inter-District Team Championships

Masters Club Team Championships

G.J. Gardner Homes National Superchamps Finals

B Grade Superchamps

C Grade Superchamps

D Grade Superchamps

E Grade Superchamps

F/J Grade Superchamps

1st - 4th

5th - 6th

16th - 18th

19th - 20th

G.J. Gardner Homes NZ Junior Age Group Championships

G.J. Gardner Homes NZ Inter-District Junior Team Championships

G.J. Gardner Homes NZ Masters Individual Championships

G.J. Gardner Homes NZ Inter-District Masters Team Championships

Club

Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch

Christchurch SC & Richmond SC

Burnside SC / Christchurch Football

SquashGym Palmerston North

Christchurch Squash Club

Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre

Hawkes Bay Squash Rackets Club

Waimea Squash Club

Christchurch Football Squash Club

Hawkes Bay Squash Rackets Club

Whangarei Squash Club

Hamilton Squash and Tennis Club

Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre

Tawa Squash Club

Squash City Invercargill

Kerikeri Squash Club

Henderson Squash Club

Whanganui Squash Club

SQUASH NEW ZEALAND POIPĀTŪ AOTEAROA DISTRICT OPEN EVENT CALENDAR 2026

Event

Waikato Open (PSA)

Eastern Open (PSA)

BOP Open (PSA)

Auckland Open

Southland Open

Wellington Open

Otago Open

Midlands Open (PSA)

Central Open (PSA)

Northland Open

Canterbury Open

Date

19th - 22nd March

1st - 2nd May

8th - 10th May

14th - 17th May

22nd - 24th May

4th - 6th June

12th - 14th June

19th - 20th June

26th - 27th June

10th - 12th July

Venue

Hamilton Squash & Tennis Club

Hawkes Bay Rackets Club

Mount Maunganui Squash Club

Henderson Squash Club

SquashCity Invercargill & ILT Stadium Southland

Khandallah Tennis and Squash Club

Otago Squash Club

Timaru Squash Club

Kawaroa Park Squash Club

Whangarei Squash Club

Christchurch Football Club & Richmond Squash Club

SQUASH NEW ZEALAND POIPĀTŪ AOTEAROA masters EVENT CALENDAR 2026

Event

New Zealand Masters Games

Oceania Masters

Auckland Masters

Canterbury Masters

Central Masters

Wellington Masters

Waikato Masters

Southland Masters

Masters Club Team Champs

BOP Masters

Midlands Masters

Northland Masters

Otago Masters

GJ Gardner Masters Individuals and Teams

Date

31 Jan - 8 February 4-7 March 19-21 March 15-17 May 22-24 May 31 July -1 August 7-8 August 14-15 August 21-23 August 4-5 September 4-5 September 11-12 September 24-26 September 16-20 October