The Squash WA Newsletter (SWAN)

September 2026 - Issue 127

World Masters Squash Championships

18 months of preparation, as well as fun, friendships, laughter and some really top quality squash was all wrapped up in the World Masters Squash Championships from 30 August to 6 September.  What an amazing experience to be involved in!  

The 2026 World Masters Squash Championships brought together just under 1,000 players from 55 nations around the World. Players, partners, families and kids descended on Perth as the country’s event host.

Competitors aged 35 and over competed across 21 age categories over eight days of action, across three venues, with over 1,638 matches played. From packed courts at Belmont and Mirrabooka to the spectacular all-glass court at Karrinyup Shopping Centre, Perth was the centre of Masters squash, and what a show it was!

The glass court in Karrinyup Shopping Centre was a huge success for squash in WA, if not the whole of Australia.  The exposure from this event brought players out of retirement (or laziness) and new juniors to our club programs.

Australia crowned eight new world champions including three of our very own WA players: Sue Hillier 60+, Mike Corren 50+ and Ray Villarroya 85+. WA also had three runner up champions in Joannah Yue-Hitch 45+, Zoe Petrovansky 35+ and Amanda Hart 50+. 

Perth’s Sue Hillier claimed her fourth World Squash Masters Championship with a 3-0 victory over American #2 seed Phoebe Trubowitz, while Ray Villarroya added World Champion to his list of accomplishments after winning the 85+ division.

This Australian World Masters had a couple of firsts with a Women’s 80+ and Men’s 85+ division being held. The #1 seed in the Men’s draw, Villarroya, went through the tournament undefeated, becoming the first man to ever claim an 85+ World Masters Championship. 

HUGE thanks to all who helped us pull this epic event together: Tourism WA, City of Stirling, Feral Brewing, 74 islands, Squash Australia, the WSO Referees (especially those who came over), and our amazing volunteers.

It’s safe to say that the 2026 Squash World Masters was a great success!!

Australian Junior Championships

From one end of the spectrum to the other, I travelled with the State Junior team to Devonport, Tasmania.  After a full day of travel on Friday 25 September where we met at Perth Airport at 5.15am, we finally reached our team camp accommodation at 5.45pm in the icy cold Tassie weather. 

All rugged up, the team sat around the communal kitchen hoovering some warm pizzas, enjoying some team bonding.  Saturday morning came and everyone was keen to see the courts and have a practice session, before we returned to our camp site to watch the AFL Grand Final.  Spirits were high and things were looking good for Freo before they weren’t… Before we knew it, game day 1 had arrived, and the much anticipated competition had begun.

A number of helpful parents, amazing coaches and dutiful carers are keeping everyone happy and fed. 

Results and a more detailed report to follow in next month’s SWAN…

State Junior Championships Feedback Sessions

Still on juniors, Board Member with Juniors portfolio Kim, ran a series of feedback sessions during our state championships which were open to all involved in the junior pathway, from the players themselves, to parents, coaches and Junior Coordinators.  The results have now been collated and can be viewed HERE.  Check out the report, and if you are keen to make a difference, fill in the survey, a link for which is provided at the end of the report.

Events over the 23-25 October Weekend

After some feedback from the squash community, Squash WA is trialing an all-in-one weekend. We will be holding the AGM, Squash WA Awards night, and the WA Closed all across one weekend.  The suggestions received indicated that if we did it all on one weekend instead of across two or three, we will see increased participation.  Please help us celebrate our amazing volunteers, coaches and referees by joining us at the awards night at Tassell’s Bar and Bistro, Innaloo, on Saturday 24 October.  Tickets can be purchased online HERE.  The WA Closed is also still open for registration so don’t wait, enter now HERE.    

Club Forum

We encourage all to come along to the next Club Forum from 6pm, Wednesday 14 October at Belmont for an update on what’s happening in squash and an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. We have invited all Club Committee members along, and happy for any interested members to come along as well.  Discussion topics will be junior survey results, 2027/28 membership fees and more. 

For now, happy squashing!

Leigh-Anne Kaye
General Manager

Nominations close on Sunday 4 October!! 

Our volunteers, officials and players are valued and vital contributors to the successful function of squash in Western Australia, at Club and state association level.  Show how much you LOVE your local legends by submitting a nomination for one of our award categories before Sunday HERE! 

This year the Annual Awards Night will be held at Tassell's Bar and Bistro on Saturday 24 October. Tickets are now on sale HERE.

Entries close 15 October - don't miss out!!

Following interviews and surveys gathered during the State Junior Titles, Squash WA has published the 2026 Junior Community Feedback Report. This document summarises perspectives from both adults and juniors across participation, player development, culture, and volunteer support, as well as recommendations for establishing a Junior Committee.

Check out the full findings HERE then follow this link and answer a few questions to stay informed or get involved: https://forms.gle/CmdRJZq8Quskjcn88.

TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!

Remi Young has just returned from training and competing overseas, and is keen to get more people started with squash.  We will even lend you a racquet each week at no extra charge.

• Fundamental skills like grip, stance, swing.
• How to serve.
• Various shots like drop, drive, lob, boast.
• Rules of the game.
• Marking and refereeing.

Sessions will run on five Sunday mornings, 10am to 11am.

To get the most out of the sessions, it's highly recommended that participants attend all, however there's no pressure if they can only come to a few.

Cost: $20 per session.
Venue: Squashworld Mirrabooka
Parking: Free on site
Who these sessions are for: Anyone over the age of 14 years, whether they've never stepped foot on a squash court, or have been playing casually with a mate for a while and want to learn more and improve their game.
What to wear: Sports clothes, running shoes (no black soles).
What to bring: Water bottle, sweat towel, a smile, and good vibes!

Click HERE for more info or to register.

Thanks Andy Jones!

What a season. What a finish. What a brave little chicken shop, suddenly promoted from neighbourhood takeaway to official supplier of grand final recovery food.

The Monday Night Pennants grand final was played on Monday 17 August, with the usual mix of excellent rallies, questionable tactical decisions, high-pressure point construction, and players pretending they were “just here for the nibbles”. The nibbles platters set the early standard, before supper arrived from next door and immediately became the most consistent performer of the evening.

Click HERE to read more.

Thanks Vic Park Squash Club!

The 2026 Vic Park Open was another fantastic celebration of squash, bringing together players from across the community for a weekend of strong competition, close matches and great sportsmanship.

There were so many five-set matches throughout the tournament that the organisers were starting to get a little stressed about keeping everything on schedule! While the timing became tight, the number of five-setters showed just how evenly matched the players were and how hard everyone fought for every point.

Click HERE to read more and see all the photos. 

Thanks Josh Blakey!

The Term 3 Junior Squash League has wrapped up after four exciting weeks of competition, bringing together young players from squash clubs across Perth. It was a fantastic turnout, with six divisions battling it out for club glory.

Throughout the competition, all clubs demonstrated great sportsmanship, commitment, and enthusiasm. Players competed strongly each week, showcasing their improving abilities and love for squash. It was great to see!

After four rounds of competitive and exciting matches,Mirrabooka Squash Club emerged as our overall winners of the Term 3 Junior League. Their consistent performances, teamwork, and determination throughout the season earned them the top position and the title of Term 3 Champions for the second term in a row.

Congratulations to our six division winners:

• Division 1: Harrison
• Division 2: Millie
• Division 3: James
• Division 4: Arthur
• Division 5: Avik
• Division 6: Xavier

And a special congratulations also goes to our award winners:

Most Improved: Burhanuddin and Arthur

Sportsmanship: Lily and Vienna

Big thank you to all players, coaches, volunteers, and families who contributed to the success of the league. Your support and dedication helped create a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

If your child would like to get involved in next term's Junior League, sign them up HERE via Revo now!  Junior League is a GREAT way to play juniors from other clubs, make new friends, get valuable game practice, and have fun!!  

Thanks Neil Butler!

It’s all in the Timing

We all hear about complaints regarding players being tardy with being on time to start fixtures, taking too long to prepare for a game, taking too long between games; all causing late finishes which is off-putting for some.

The Rules of World Squash are quite specific regarding times and the responsibilities of the referee and players...

Click HERE to read more. 

Along with all the below INCREDIBLE events, make sure you also mark your calendars with the Red Hot Summer Teams (Mirrabooka) - Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December

Registration link coming soon! 

v2.8 September 2026

RESCHEDULED!!!

Cambridge Squash Club invites juniors from across WA to attend our 2026 Cambridge Junior Teams Challenge, taking place on 7 and 8 September.  Now into it's 8th year, this event has always been plenty of fun for participants to play in a teams format, compared to individual-based events that normally take place.  Wear your club shirt with pride as you represent your club with pride!  Or use it as a chance to play in a team with friends from other clubs.

As with previous years, play will kick off at 12pm on Saturday with 1-2 matches and then the remaining matches will start from 9am the following day.

Players can enter individually via Revo HERE, with notes to say who their team mates are, OR Junior Coordinators can submit teams in bulk via the registration form they have been provided with. 

Regular division players must be at 'Local' level or higher, whilst the novice grade can be 'Social' level.  Novice division will use beginner balls and have modified serving rules available to them.

The Club will be providing a canteen across the weekend. 

Any questions can be directed to: tim.cowell@squashworld.com.au

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Great Southern Wheatbelt Squash Team Championships proudly hosted by Narrogin Squash Club from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November.

Nominate via Revo HERE.  Entries close 6 November 2026.

Tournament information

• Narrogin Leisure Centre , Williams Road.  
  
• 3 Person Teams, $240 nomination fee.
  
• FREE camping available.
  
• Canteen and bar facilities all weekend.

Friday 13/11:

• Pizza and refreshments at the courts from 5.00pm to 9.30pm.
  
• First round of fixtures will commence at 5.30pm followed by one at 7.00pm and the 
  
• 'BULLSEYE BASH - CASH ON COURT CHALLENGE. Rules to be explained on the night.

Saturday 14/11:

• Dinner and music/DJ @ Narrogin Cricket Club from 6.30pm. 

Sunday 15/11: 

• Finals and Presentations.
  
• Games are scheduled from 8.30am.
  
• Presentations planned to commence at 12.00pm.

Don't miss your limited chance to join the iconic 2027 Southwest Masters Teams event. This year celebrates 40 years of great teams Squash fun in the beautiful sunny Busselton. With the revitalised weather change back to the warmer sunny month of February, don't miss your team’s spot in this limited access event.

Register HERE and/or read the tournament FAQs HERE.

Contact the office for a high quality copy of this poster to display at your Club.

Click on the poster to be taken to the Info Hub on our website.

To perform at your best on match day you need to fuel your body with healthy food and drinks EVERY day! Our friends at Fuel to Go & Play have developed a 'Fuel Your Body' booklet, bursting with plenty of tips and information for squashies at all skill levels. 

Click HERE to download the booklet, but in the mean time, take a look at the below snippet. 

Thank you for all your support Fuel to Go & Play!!

Contributions to the SWAN are ALWAYS welcome.  We LOVE to hear about events, awards, funny stories, and more!  Simply send an email to engagement@squashwa.asn.au.

This newsletter is compiled and edited by BLOOM word + design.