The Squash WA Newsletter (SWAN)

March 2026 - Issue 121

As we settle into the year, it’s a good time to reflect on what we’ve already achieved in 2026, and what is about to shape up…

We started off the year celebrating our squash community with our annual awards night. Again a huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners. For those that aren’t aware, all of our winners are pushed through to the Squash Australia awards for their respective categories each year.  We were THRILLED to have our very own Tournament Director and Level 1 Referee extraordinnaire Brad Grinter win the Squash Australia Volunteer of the Year award!

At the same awards, Squash WA won the Ted Barlow State/Territory of the Year award, back to back!  This award recognises the accomplishments and dedication to squash by all states and territories in Australia, who have provided outstanding service, which enhances the reputation and advancement of squash in Australia.  Well done to the West Aussie squash community for making us the best state in Australia… AGAIN!

A HUGE congratulations to Dean Williams, who was inducted into the Squash Australia’s General Hall of Fame in 2022, and this year, was elevated to Athlete Member status in the Squash Australia Hall of Fame.  Dean achieved a highest world ranking of #3, back in 1983/1984, with a list of achievements most of us could only dream of.  Click HERE to read Dean's HIGHLY impressive bio.  Well done and congratulations Dean!!

Looking forward into 2026 to June, the 2026 WA Open International will take place with a PSA Challenger component once again, bringing national and international players to our shores. Please save the dates of 5-7 June as we’d love to see this event reach 200+ players again!  This year’s event will be held at Squashworld Mirrabooka, boasting (pardon the pun) newly sanded floors, painted court markings, and the luxury of their 14 glass-back courts.  This is a fantastic opportunity to watch some of the world’s best squash players compete, and at the same time, continue to support the best sport in the world. 

Then when you thought squash in WA couldn’t get any more intense, in early July we will be hosting our GOLD State Junior Championships, with the Zones team event to follow on, with the very best of our under 19 squash on display.  Our Junior Coordinators across the state will be organising teams to represent their respective zones to play off against each other for the annual title. If you or your junior is keen to have a crack, contact your local Junior Coordinator or the office via engagement@squashwa.asn.au as soon as possible.  Places fill up fast, but we want to hear from ANYONE who is keen for their time in the spotlight!!

In the lead up to the LA 2028 Olympics, Squash Australia will be monitoring all AJST (Australian Junior Squash Tour) events more closely, where Gold, Silver and Bronze events will need to meet policy and regulations in order for our kids to gain AJST points.  The points our kids accumulate playing in these events, help build up to national ranking points, relevant to national events such as the Australian Junior Open and Australian Junior Championships.  We’d love to see our juniors seeded higher, and we KNOW they are capable of this, so we encourage them, Novice to Advanced, to enter as many AJST events as possible for the best opportunities.  We therefore encourage all stakeholders to read this EDUCATION DECK, so we’re all on the same page, to understand how the Australian Junior Squash Tour guidelines operate. 

A couple of weeks later, our WA State Masters event will showcase our more experienced athletes in their respective ages groups.  We encourage anyone who is 35 years and above to enter this event.  Age groups are male and female, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+ (75+ may be broken down further depending on numbers).  The more players that enter, the larger the spread and competitiveness of divisions. Dinner and presentations will take place on Saturday night, with dinner included in your entry fee.  Entry is FREE for all 65+ players, although you will still need to register.  Entries are open now, with early bird rates available until 30 April. 

Then, the WORLD Masters will take place across multiple venues from 30 August through to 6 Sept, for the first time back in Australia since 2001, AND the first time held in Western Australia with men and women combined. Entries to date are 412 and registrations close on 19 July.   

There is no limit to the number of entries, so get in now.  Last year, Amsterdam had just over 1100 entries, with a registration fee equivalent to AUD300.  The registration fee this year is AUD285, which requires a SPIN (Squash Player Identification Number), and includes three matches and the opening ceremony function.  I’d like to acknowledge and thank the City of Stirling and Tourism WA for their support and contribution to this mammoth event. 

https://www.worldsquashmasters.com/information

This year we will hold the 2026 WA Closed tournament a week earlier than usual, and on the Saturday night, our Annual Awards.  We encourage our clubs and players to nominate the amazing people in our community that help squash operate as smoothly as it does.  Our Annual Awards represent the people in our community that not only help within their clubs, but also the larger community across the state.  Be it one event they assist with or multiple, or coaching, refereeing or anything else - let’s acknowledge these tremendous human beings that stand up and stand out, all for the love of squash in Western Australia.  Please take a few minutes to nominate these wonderful people, by emailing engagement@squashwa.asn.au for a nomination form.  You can nominate ALL YEAR ROUND! 

Lastly, but by no means last, THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS to all of us here in Western Australia, for your contribution to WINNER of the BEST STATE in AUSTRALIA (not to brag, but back to back). 

Happy squashing in 2026!!! 

Statistics are current as at the 25th of each month.

Thanks Bunbury Squash Club

The 2026 Harcher South West Open wrapped up over the weekend with a fantastic maximum turnout of 94 entrants and a great atmosphere across the entire event.

A huge congratulations to all division winners with special mention to the following:

Mike Corren (Men’s Open), who defeated David Illich 3–0

Josie Jones (Ladies Open), who defeated Fiona Woodley 3–0

Alexander Marsh (Boys AJST Silver Div 1)

Ruby Foo (Girls AJST Silver Div 1)

An incredible effort from Mike and Josie, who went through the entire tournament without dropping a single game, a dominant performance.

Another special mention to our club’s local upcoming star William Mennell who took out the Div 3 Junior AJST division AND Men’s Div 7.

A big thank you to our major sponsors Harcher, Umbrella Realty The Rose Hotel Warthog Washers Talison Lithium and South West Sports Centre who contribute to the club and make events like this possible.

Also a thank you to our volunteers who helped make the event run smoothly, and to everyone who played in the tournament, travelling from afar to have some great matches and fun! Events like this simply don’t happen without everyone’s support so well done on making the weekend such a success and we’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year!

Photos and results can be found on the Squash WA website HERE.  Full results can be found on Revo HERE. 

Thanks Esperance Squash Club

The annual Esperance Open was held once again on the long weekend in March. We had 72 players that came to take the court, and spend their weekend with us.

It would not have been possible without our small but hard working committee, or without the wisdom of Tournament Director, Grints, and official Referee, Neil Butler.

Our major sponsor of course, is Lucky Bay Brewing, and also jumping on board this year was TerryWhite Chemmart Esperance, VRT solutions, TopSigns, Peter Rundle, Avon Waste Disposal, Esperance Communications, Walker & Scoble, The Pier Hotel, and Shark Lake Piggery. Without sponsors these tournaments wouldn’t happen so we are grateful for their generosity.

There were many hard fought matches, but the toughest one was trying to get the WiFi to
stay connected!

Winners this year were:
Mens Open: W Michael Corren RU Alexander Marsh 3 Cooper Kennedy P Eric Marsh
Womens Open: W Erin Classen RU Lisa Christou 3 Jacqui Tonkin P Sydney Ennis
Mens Div 1 W Travis Kenna RU Jesse Perks 3 Mark Lush P Brendan Scott
Mens Div 2 W Ryan McGrath RU Shane Jones 3 Dale Ramage P Joshua Mitchell
Mens Div 3 W David Hall RU Onnie Biswas 3 Massimo Chiarenza P Justin Searle
Mens Div 4 W Jarrod Ennis RU Jamie Benefer 3 Luke Scott P Colin Gallop
Ladies Div 1 W Joey Scott RU Evie Clark 
Ladies Div 2 W Carolyn Temple RU Jess Heasman
Mens Masters Div 1 W Brad Grinter RU Jamie Lyon 3 Luke Missak P Michael Mears
Mens Masters Div 2 W Daniel Richardson RU Ryan McGrath 3 PJ McManaman P David Hall
Mens Masters Div 3 W Shayne Gadd RU Colin Gallop
Ladies Masters W Katy Scott RU Pat Barker P Therese Kenny
Juniors Div 1 W Alexander Marsh RU Eric Marsh
Juniors Div 2 W Joey Scott RU Evie Clark

*not all photos were available at time of going to print.

Protecting Your Eyes in Squash

While squash is technically a ‘non-contact sport’, we all know that this sometimes just isn’t the case, and often by no fault of anyone.While the risk of injury from playing squash isn’t as high as in other ‘contact’ sports, a squash ball actually fits nicely into your eye socket!

Squash is a high-risk activity for eye injuries, however. In severe cases, if the squash ball hits hard enough, it can cause blindness.

Click HERE to read more. 

Thanks Neil Butler

The Ball

This time we look at the duties and responsibilities of the referee and players regarding a broken ball, delays, etc.

When is a Let allowed?

• If the ball breaks during a rally, a let is allowed for that rally.
• If the ball becomes wedged in any part of the court, a let is allowed.
• A let may be allowed if the ball touches any article in the court.
• No let is allowed for any unusual bounce.

Click HERE to read more. 

Thanks Paul Kershaw

The Skills Every Player Should Build

At most clubs, we see players of all ages and levels stepping on court every week — juniors learning the game, adults returning after a break, and seasoned pennant players sharpening their edge. No matter where you sit on that spectrum, the same truth applies: squash rewards strong fundamentals.

Here’s a quick refresher on the core skills that make the biggest difference to confidence, consistency, and enjoyment on court.

Click HERE to read more. 

WA Events

You read that right, the WORLD Masters Champs are coming to our humble little Perth!!

Spread across multiple squash centres as well as a glass court smack BANG in the middle of Karrinyup Shopping Centre, you do NOT want to miss THIS.

Registrations are open now and are swarming in with WELL over 400 entries received already!  Compete against squashies from around the world, including the UK, US, Canada, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, India, Italy, Hong Kong, Namibia, South Africa and MORE.

Click HERE to visit the World Squash Federation to sign up today. 

Nationwide Events

Our friends at Fuel to Go & Play have come up with the perfect fuelling meal for tournament weekends.  Click HERE to see their healthy fried rice recipe.

Contributions to the SWAN are 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.