As a provincial sport governing body and member organization, Squash Ontario Board and staff are committed to stand in support of the fight to end systemic racism. We trust that our audience will join us in paying tribute to the countless black and racial minority lives that have suffered injustice and disrespect because of failure for our communities to protect each other. We acknowledge that this is an ongoing movement to overcome centuries of insidious practices but we hope everyone will do their part to recognize, speak out and eliminate racism in our communities.
Squash participation is often celebrated as being diverse with 188 countries from around the world playing the game. Thanks to the many municipal and community organizations that operate equal access squash programming, we do celebrate a diverse sporting community here in Ontario as well. Over the years, Squash Ontario has proudly supported groups that actively seek to assist visible minorities or low-income populations participate in the sport that we all love. We recognize, however, that there is still more to do and are excited to get back to regular squash programming with new energy to support and empower everyone in our community.
Urban Squash Toronto
We’d like to take this opportunity to highlight one organization that is making amazing change in the lives of under-served youth in the Jane-Finch area of Toronto - Urban Squash Toronto (UST). UST is the only Canadian chapter of the highly successful U.S. Squash initiative called Squash Education Alliance, where students in Urban Squash programs around the country (and in Toronto) receive intensive after-school, 7 days-a-week, yearlong education program with concentrated athletics (principally squash). Under-served youth are supported in reaching their full academic, athletic and personal potential. As their regular programming continues to be disrupted by COVID-19 they remain committed to engaging their students through virtual programming.
In the last few days, the leadership at UST has kicked off some amazing new programming that addresses racism in our society. Through weekly discussions about race, art and poetry contests addressing anti-black racism, and student generated social media content, the 90 students are using the UST platform to share their messages and stories with the squash and larger community. These new long-term programs will no doubt benefit the wider squash community for years to come.
If you would like to support the efforts of Urban Squash Toronto’s programming to ensure the academic, athletic, and now more than ever personal potential is reached for students in the Jane-Finch area of Toronto, please consider making a donation by CLICKING HERE which will be matched by a generous private donor for up to $50,000.00. To listen to the stories and messages from the UST students please follow UST on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (@urbansquash_to).
Squash Ontario has four core values that guide decision making: Integrity/Fairness, Respect, Excellence and Leadership. Now more than ever we commit to reviewing practices and policies to ensure our core values are reflected in our operations and programs, and support the sport participation of people of colour and underrepresented populations. We are all responsible.