Every January, a highly anticipated junior event event is the British Junior Open which sees 800 of the most promising junior players from across the globe testing their mettle against one another. Irish Squash are always well represented at this event and this year was no different with 14 players donning the Irish colours across the weekend.

This is a seismic event with over 500 matches per day, held across Edgbaston Priory Club, arguably England’s best racquets club, University of Birmingham, Solihull Arden Club and West Warwick’s Sports Club.

Ireland’s contingent comprised of Daisy Morrissey, Jamie Morrissey, Alfie Knox, Harry Knox, Jack Clery, Michael Lai, Harry Yeomans, Adam Power, John Day, Zoe Yeomans, Conal Jackson, Aaron Knox, Rebecca Day and Ailong Chen.

All players had brilliant tournaments, lots of winning and learning, testing themselves against the world’s best, in what will stand to them in their squash development. In particular, there was an impressive showing from the Waterford Celtic club who brought players as young as Alfie Knox, just 8 years old.

This tournament always proves to be an invaluable experience to each player, which so many lessons learned, which will fuel future training, to drive our Irish players to their best potential. 

Massive thank you to David Noone for attending the event as a coach and representing Irish Squash and creating this video of the event – British Junior Open 2024

The sheer magnitude, entertainment and quality of opponent makes The British Junior Open a tournament that should be on all budding junior squash competitors calendars and is held in Birmingham every January.

Results of each player can be found here

Squash is back in the headlines once again as Colm Greaves of the Irish Examiner has just published a feature article on the sport of squash and the future of squash in Ireland, including an in-depth interview with our CEO Scott Graham.

Be sure to pick up a copy of today’s Irish Examiner (5th Jan), to read the full story or read online here

Massive Thank you to Colm and all at the Irish Examiner for shining a spotlight on our sport and helping it to grow.

Irish Squash is seeking to appoint a Club & Community Development Officer with a particular focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. This presents an exciting opportunity for someone with the experience and energy required to break down barriers and provide opportunities for lifelong participation in squash.

The position is funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, and the successful candidate will be tasked with delivering a range of projects aligned with Sport Ireland’s Diversity & Inclusion in Sport policy.

In addition to working closely with dedicated volunteers, the Club & Community Development Officer will collaborate proactively with partners such as Sport Ireland, Sporting Pride, Active Disability Ireland, and Local Sports Partnerships to promote inclusive and welcoming squash programs and initiatives.

The position is initially offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of an extension subject to continued receipt of Dormant Account Funding.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide support to existing clubs to grow in an inclusive and sustainable manner and initiate the development of new clubs.
• Assist clubs with the adoption of best-in-class policies and procedures, including Safeguarding and Diversity & Inclusion in Sport.
• Develop new squash programs aimed at encouraging more people, regardless of their backgrounds and abilities, to play squash. Support clubs in implementing these programs and reaching out to people from hard to reach and disadvantaged communities.
• Aid in increasing the number of players through the development and implementation of innovative competition and event structures, including social squash tournaments.
• Deliver an Irish Squash Her Moves initiative, designed to inspire and support teenage girls to be active.
• Assist in the delivery of the Coach Education Programmes to increase capacity and access to squash for all. Pilot a transition-year school leaders qualification.
• Identify facilities in need of development and refurbishment within disadvantaged areas and support the local community in reestablishing a vibrant squash scene.
• Create participation programs and establish a league/events structure for schools and third-level institutions.
• Act as an ambassador for Irish Squash, promoting and championing diversity and inclusion.

Experience & Competencies

• Proven ability to develop and deliver sports programs, events, and initiatives.
• Experience and/or relevant sports development qualifications.
• Sound understanding of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion within the sports sector.
• Highly motivated with the ability to work as part of a team or independently.
• Excellent communication skills. An understanding of social media channels is desirable.
• An understanding of squash and the ability to lead sessions is desirable.

Further Information

• 12-month Fixed-Term Contract (with the possibility of an extension subject to continued receipt of Dormant Account Funding)
• Part-time, 3 days per week
• The Irish Squash Office is located on the Sport Ireland Campus, Dublin 15. Flexible and remote working arrangements are available
• Salary is dependent on experience

The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory:

• Garda Vetting Checks
• Reference Checking Procedures

How to Apply?

Applications must be sent by email with the subject line: [ATTN: Club & Community Development Officer]. When applying by email, please include a letter of introduction detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role and your Curriculum Vitae outlining your skills and work experience. Please send these materials no later than the 2^nd of February 2024, to Irish Squash at [email protected].

Irish Squash is an equal opportunity employer, celebrating diversity and championing inclusivity. If you require any reasonable accommodations to assist you in participating in the employee selection process, please simply let us know.

Irish Squash will distribute almost €23,000 in funding to affiliated clubs under Phase III of the Irish Government’s Sports Energy Supports Scheme. The generous funding will be welcomed by the seven clubs that applied through Irish Squash, with the funding made available to support clubs with the increase in energy costs experienced of late. Many of the clubs that applied will have already received their grant funding, which was provided by the Irish Government and Sport Ireland.

Irish Squash CEO, Scott Graham, commented: “I am sure the funding secured via the Sports Energy Supports Scheme will be warmly welcomed by the clubs that applied and received grants. We are very thankful to Sport Ireland and the Government for this vital funding. The funding will help clubs deal with the increased cost of energy, keep courts open and heated for our members to play and socialise through sport, and ultimately allow us to continue growing the game.”

Clubs are encouraged to affiliate with Irish Squash to be eligible for and notified of similar funding opportunities.

Irish Squash has welcomed an investment in the sport under the Dormant Accounts Fund allocated by Sport Ireland and the Government of Ireland. It is the first time since 2016 that Irish Squash has received Dormant Accounts Funding.

The Dormant Accounts Funding enables unclaimed funds from accounts in credit institutions in Ireland to be utilised to support the delivery of projects focused on overcoming the barriers and challenges to participation for those in diverse communities, regardless of socio-economic background, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

Following a successful application, Irish Squash was granted €48,500 for advancing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sport and €8,000 for the Her Moves project. The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sport Fund aims to break down barriers through proactive and innovative initiatives, outreach, and addressing challenges regarding access. The Irish Squash project will promote squash to people from diverse communities, encouraging participation and engagement and breaking down the barriers and challenges to participation for those in diverse communities.

The Her Moves Programme Fund is focused on supporting the development and testing of programs and initiatives that target reducing the drop-out in sport and physical activity in adolescent girls.

Irish Squash CEO, Scott Graham, commented:

“The announcement of Dormant Account Funding for Irish Squash is very welcome news as we look forward to 2024. We are extremely grateful to Sport Ireland and Minister Thomas Byrne for their investment in Irish Squash, and we look forward to delivering these important programs and making a positive impact in disadvantaged communities across Ireland.

Thanks to this targeted investment, we will be looking to add to our team of development staff in the New Year to scale up our delivery of funded programs and offer greater support to clubs. Our newly appointed Club & Community Development Officer in Northern Ireland is already having a great impact, and I am confident will help to introduce more people to squash and grow the game.”

Irish Squash has distributed €20,000 in Women in Sport funding to eight affiliated squash clubs. The funding was made possible following a successful application by Irish Squash for Sport Ireland’s 2023 Women in Sport funding. Clubs are set to deliver a broad range of programs, including women and girls participation initiatives, coaching courses, and school outreach, aimed at addressing key priority areas outlined in the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy.

The Sport Ireland policy outlines several key objectives to promote gender equality within the sporting landscape:

• Recognising gender balance on boards as best practice, urging all sports organisations to aspire to achieve this.
• Increasing the representation of women in governance and leadership positions.
• Cultivating a culture within sporting organisations that values and acknowledges women’s contributions to leadership and governance, recognising it as fundamental to their growth and development.
• Creating opportunities and support structures that encourage sustained participation in sports by women and girls of all ages and backgrounds.
• Addressing the drop-out rate among teenage girls in physical activity and sports.
• Elevating the visibility and profile of women’s sports and women in sports.
• Broadening the coaching and officiating base to include more women and girls at all levels, from grassroots to high performance.

Irish Squash, supported by our network of affiliated clubs, aims to move the dial on female membership, which currently stands at approximately 30%. From a governance perspective, Irish Squash is fully compliant with the Action Plan for Sport 2021-2023, which requires all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. The Irish Squash board composition currently stands at 60% female.

Funded Women in Sport programs will be operated in Ballina SC, Celtic SC, Curragh SC, Highfield SC, Fitzwilliam SC, Mt Pleasant SC, Sutton SC, and Westport SC. Visit club websites and social media accounts to learn more about the specific programs being run in each club.

Will Nicholson has been appointed as a consultant Club & Community Development Officer for Northern Ireland until the end of March 2024. The Club & Community Development project operates in line with Sport NI funding; however, Irish Squash will be seeking additional investment to sustain and further drive the development of the sport in Northern Ireland in the longer term.

Will is an experienced independent health and wellbeing consultant and has worked across all sectors seeking to improve health and wellbeing through organisational and community development. A lifelong squash player, Will is a qualified coach and takes on the role of head coach at Windsor Club in Belfast and is a founding member of the Mid Ulster Squash Club.

Will leads the initial establishment of participation-focused initiatives and will reach out to clubs directly to offer development support. The key initiatives include:

• Providing support to existing clubs to grow in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
• Initiating the development of new clubs affiliated with Irish Squash.
• Establishing and expanding junior sections and programs within affiliated clubs.
• Delivering junior racket camps in conjunction with local councils.
• Developing new squash programs aimed at encouraging more people, regardless of their backgrounds and abilities, to play squash.
• Promoting squash among schools and universities and driving engagement in the intervarsity national championships and All-Ireland schools championships.
• Assisting in the delivery of the Coach Education Program within Northern Ireland.
• Identifying facilities in need of development and refurbishment and supporting the local community in reestablishing a vibrant squash scene.
• Establishing a North West Squash League.
• Supporting clubs in ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, such as club and membership affiliation, safeguarding, and anti-doping.
• Identifying funding opportunities to benefit affiliated clubs.

Clubs and those seeking to develop and promote squash in Northern Ireland can contact Will Nicholson at [email protected] or 0044 (0)773 345 862.

Event management specialists, EventHaus, and investment advisory firm, Gillen Markets, have stepped in as official support sponsors of the Senior Men’s Team for the 2023 WSF World Team Championships taking place in New Zealand from December 11 to 17. Ireland’s leading travel agents, Cassidy Travel, were previously named the Official Travel Partner to the team, while UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic also joined as sponsors. 

A strong Ireland team was named, comprising an exciting mix of youth and experience, with Sam Buckley, Sean Conroy, Oisin Logan, and Michael Creaven representing Ireland, competing against the top squash nations on the world stage. The Senior Men’s Team recently secured promotion to the top division in Europe when they claimed a silver medal at the 2023 European Team Championship in April and go on to the World Championships seeded 18th of the 24 teams competing. They will be hoping to get past Malaysia on the opening day of the competition, where they will play on the Devoy Glass Court. World number ones, Egypt are also drawn in Group A alongside Ireland and Malaysia.

EventHaus is a proud supporter of the team and offers a turnkey approach to event management with over 25 years of experience within the events industry, organising and managing a range of events such as mini breakfast events, conferences, trade shows, consumer events, and awards. Gillen Markets is another major supporter of squash, having sponsored the Irish Open among other events for many years. Gillen Markets is an established investment advisory firm providing advice for personal, pension, and corporate clients with a strong emphasis on impartiality and transparency.

Follow the action from the 2023 WSF Men’s World Team Championships at wsfmensteams.com or on Irish Squash’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Visit eventhaus.ie for event management services and gillenmarkets.com for investment advice.

Irish Squash would like to invite clubs in the Republic of Ireland to apply for “The Texaco Support for Sport initiative”. This initiative is designed to recognise the important contribution that sports clubs make within Irish society by supporting them in a manner that can benefit them most, through the presentation of a cash prize. 

It offers 1 (one) sports club in each county within the Republic of Ireland an opportunity to win a cash prize of €5,000, with a prize being awarded to every county. 

To enter, clubs must submit an application at https://texacosupportforsport.com/register and in max 250 words, clubs must describe the special position that your club holds within its community and the positive benefits that it brings to its members. Introduce your club, focus on these particular points and also advise how you would spend the €5000 award, if successful. You may accompany your application with up to 4 photographs and a video of up to 30 seconds in length, but no people should be visible in either. Your application must also be accompanied by your club’s constitution document and written confirmation from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners indicating that your sports club holds a valid GS number at the time of application.

The promotion closes at 6pm on Wednesday, 31st January 2024.nJudging will then commence in February 2024 and the winning sports clubs will be notified in July 2024

For further information visit https://texacosupportforsport.com/ 

It is with deep sadness that Irish Squash, note the passing of Séan Coakley.

Irish Squash’s thoughts and condolences are with his wife Ann Shepard and the entire Coakley Family at this difficult time.

May Séan Rest In Peace