The exciting news about the recommendation that squash be included as an Olympic sport in the LA 2028 Games came forward on Thanksgiving Monday. As you’ll read below, this will be confirmed on October 16th. We are closer than ever to this pivotal decision for our sport. Please pay close attention to the Olympic news on Monday!

The 2023 Community Squash Ontario Masters Championships will again be taking place at the newly renovated Greystone Racquet Club in Waterloo, October 20-22. There is a division for everyone, starting with 30+ all the way to 75+ and a B/C division. The deadline to register for this event is Wednesday, October 11. 

Squash Ontario has ambitious goals in its 2023-2027 “Squash for All” strategic plan to introduce squash to more players than ever before, ensuring the sport’s continued growth. By 2027, we want to see 30,000 people introduced to the sport through Learn to Play programs, mobile squash courts and open house events. We also want to see wheelchair squash programs up and running and equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives underway. To meet these goals, we will need to expand our team with the hiring of a Community Engagement Coordinator.

September 27th is Rowan’s Law Day, and a good reminder to get to know concussion awareness information, and what to do about head injuries.

Blyth Academy Online, one of the leaders in Ontario Secondary School Diploma education of student athletes, is proud to announce the launch of special academic year promotions. Squash Ontario members can undertake the following ministry accredited online interdisciplinary courses at the discounted price of $350 for the ‘23-24 academic year.

On home court at the Athletics and Recreation Centre this year, the Queen’s women’s squash team cruised to a remarkable eighth consecutive Ontario university championship. For every one of those titles, Lisa Coates, Sc’88, Ed’89, has been the volunteer coach, athlete motivator, and den mother to a talented squad of players.  

The Windsor Cup and Windsor City Opens, run from August 15-19 at the Devonshire Mall and Windsor Squash and Fitness Club and will feature over 20 Canadian athletes in their respective draws. Utilizing the all-glass Power Court presented by Syra Group, this Series is bound to produce some exciting squash and will showcase our sport at every angle.

The 2023 Pan American Junior Championships are currently taking place from August 13th to 19th in Pilar, Argentina. This prestigious international event will see eight of Squash Canada’s Junior athletes battling for the podium in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events.  

Thus far, Team Canada has two bronze medals in Doubles thanks to Ontario athletes, Ashley Hall and Gabby Waite, as well as Ewan Harris and Faazil Khan.

The first half of the 2023-24 season is quickly approaching and Squash Ontario has now posted all Junior Circuit and Provincial Championship dates on our events calendar. Club run sanctioned events that have been submitted thus far can also be found online. The majority of our fall events are open for registration on Club Locker, aside from the few that still have final details being worked out. Junior and Provincial events taking place in 2024 will be open for registration next month.

The Canadian squash community is mourning the passing of Arjun Gupta, multi-time National Champion and former Canadian National Team member who left the world too soon on July 22, 2023.