The Squash WA Newsletter (SWAN)

July 2026 - Issue 125

Welcome to the 2027 financial year!

WA has hit the ground running with a whopping 1,215 members renewing or registering out of the 2000 we amassed last financial year. This puts WA as leading the other states in membership numbers, pro rata population. 

The reason this is so good for our sport is that it gives us data to pass onto the DCITS (Department of Cultural Interests, Tourism and Sport), so when assessing grant funding, we are in a much stronger position, which in turn allows us to reinvest in our sport. If you have not yet renewed, or know others in the same boat, give them a poke to help get our participation numbers even higher!

World Masters is around the corner, and I am so excited to present the following amazing stats!

• Entries have closed, and there are almost 1,000!!
• 55 countries are represented.
• These are record numbers for an isolated city.

Players will start arriving in Perth from across the world in mid-August, and our fellow Aussie states a couple weeks later. 

Registrations have closed. Logistics are in full swing. Now let the games begin!

Before we do that, we need many more volunteers. We are asking our WA players, families, friends, parents, retired friends and older juniors to help us deliver the best World Masters event by sparing a few hours of their time. It is a SUPER easy process.  Just click HERE to answer a few questions and start your journey.  

• No lengthy paperwork.
• No excess time requirements.
• Complimentary volunteer shirt.
• Watch some world-class squash.
• Rub shoulders with world champions.
• Work with like-minded people who want to see squash explode into mainstream audiences.
• Training provided. Role descriptions elected upon registration. 

Lastly, the facade for the WA State Squash Centre in Belmont is complete, and it looks AMAZING!!  If you’re in the area (or if you’re not), come and check it out!

The results are in, and the 2026 Junior State Team has been selected.  HUGE congratulations to all juniors chosen to represent Western Australia at this year's Australian Junior Championships in Devonport, Tasmania this September. 

Thanks Dave Fear!

The first two sessions as a team training together have been very positive.

Unfortunately WA has a shortage of players in certain age groups, in the GU19 we only have one player and we are pretty thin in other age groups.

Fortunately, we are blessed with good numbers and talent in our ‘Youth’ group, which is good for the future.

We are focused on building a positive team culture which is inclusive, and welcomes the support of the greater team and squash community.

Click HERE to read more.

Thanks Steve Jones!

The WA State 35+ (Masters) Championships was held at the State Centre in Belmont on the 17 and 18 July 2026. 

This prestigious tournament has been running since 1982, a wonderful 45 years of history to date, with many notable winners. The tournament is unique in that divisions are age-based rather than ability-based, which means you may get to play anyone! This only occurs in Masters and Juniors on an annual basis - so this is a special tournament.

Click HERE to read more and see the presentation photos.

Thanks Serena Richardson!

On our way up to Dampier for the annual FeNaClNG teams tourney, our motley crue of squashies from across WA made a pit stop at one of Squash WA’s newest affiliated clubs - Exmouth! 

Locals Sam and Alex welcomed us with open arms and offered a cold refreshment as soon as we walked in the door. Also, by total coincidence, Mirrabooka’s Graham Pattrick was in town on a fishing trip, and having a hit with the boys when we arrived, training for World Masters next month! 

The four courts are really well-maintained, two of which are glass-backs with adjustable tins and more recent additions to the original building. 

In our crew was Lauren (Bunbury/Busso), Ryan, Tahi, Loris and Jo (Katanning), Vinny (Bunbury), and Daniel and myself (Mirrabooka).  Worthy mentions also for the three camp Kelpies Annie, Tillie and Penny!  

After about an hour or so of King of the Court fun, our crew sadly had to make tracks to stay on schedule. 

If you’re a local to Exmouth and happen to see this, please reach out to these lovely chaps and get involved in this great club and community. 

Thanks Sam and Alex for being so warm and hospitable! 

Contact the club via 0439 463 454 or exsquashclub@gmail.com. 

A sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time, and research shows that the chance of survival outside of a hospital setting is incredibly low. We can help change this! By taking quick and informed bystander action, with the support of an automated external defibrillator (AED), you can help to save someone’s life.

Do you know how shockingly SIMPLE AEDs are to use?

Remember, any attempt at resuscitation is better than no attempt and your quick action can give them the best chance of survival.

Thanks Neil Butler!

Last month, I finished with: “Ask yourself, as a player, how many unforced errors you have made against the number of “bad” decisions you consider the referee has made”.

One of the reasons I became involved as a referee was closely related to the sentence above.

As a young lad, I was asked to play pennants and as was the case at the time (and still is), I was put into a team and had the etiquette of squash pennants explained to me.

• Be there before the stated start time.
• If playing at your home courts, bring supper and liquid refreshments for yourself and your opponent.
• If you win, buy your opponent a drink of their choice.
• ...and by the way, you will have to Mark or Referee a match.

That was pretty much it. No mention of rules other than possibly marking requirements.

“You'll be okay, you'll pick up the rules as you go along!"

I soon found out there were rules, but these varied depending on who you listened to.

Click HERE to read more.

All-round legend and genuinely top bloke, Chas Renner, recently ticked off his 98th lap around the sun, and was celebrated at Day League with a cake and much merriment!

If you don't know who Chas Renner is, where have you been!?  Chas is one of the loveliest gentlemen you'll ever meet, a downright LEGEND, and was made Squash WA Life Member back in 2003 for everything he has done for our sport.  Chas has spent countless hours on various committees, giving his time in so many areas, from juniors to masters.  He's even got a State Junior Champs Best and Fairest trophy named after him! 

While Chas has hung up his squash racquet and shoes these days, he's always around to support others and share a kind word.

We love you Chas, and happy 98th birthday!! 

Along with all the below INCREDIBLE events, make sure you also mark your calendars with these two beauties: 

• Great Southern Wheatbelt Teams (Narrogin) - Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November
• Red Hot Summer Teams (Mirrabooka) - Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December

Registration links coming soon! 

The WORLD Masters Champs are coming to our humble little Perth from 30 August through to 6 September. Spread across Mirrabooka, Belmont, and Karrinyup Shopping Centre, you do NOT want to miss THIS. Registrations are now closed, with almost 1,000 entries from countries all around the world!!  

Click HERE to see the entries and draws. 

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.

Click HERE to read all about how to PRE-, RE- and POST- fuel your body, with information specific to squash. 

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.