This weekend, the squash world came together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of World Squash Day, an annual celebration that originated in the USA to honour the memory of the large number of squash players who lost their lives in the attacks on 9/11.
A World Squash Day auction is still running, with lots of great merchandise up for grabs, including memorabilia signed by the world’s top players, to raise money for the PSA Foundation, Squash Library and World Squash Day projects
Federations, clubs and individuals from all around the world all held events to celebrate the game we love. Scroll below for some of our favourite pictures from around the world.
In Egypt, the famous Black Ball Club hosted some 750 talented juniors for the Black Ball Championships, complete with an amazing-looking array of cupcakes!
In the USA, celebrations included a thrilling outdoor doubles match in New York featuring Mohamed ElShorbagy, Joelle King, Joshna Chinappa and Saurav Ghosal, and adult academy play, junior and beginner clinics and a World Squash Day round robin at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center.
For squash to move forward, making our sport more visible, more accessible and more affordable has to be a priority. We are talking about outdoor courts. Some of the world's top pros were like kids again as they enjoyed playing on the Maspeth steel court in NYC on @WorldSquashDay pic.twitter.com/0Ouse6HEsp
— WorldSquashDay (@WorldSquashDay) October 10, 2021
In England, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games mascot Perry was put through his paces by the likes of Sarah-Jane Perry and Alison Waters, while future stars of squash were welcomed to the game.
In Singapore, the Singapore Squash Rackets Association appealed to a new audience and ran a campaign to highlight the top 10 reasons squash is great.
In Sri Lanka, young players enjoyed a day of squash and cake at the Austasia Squash Academy.
More cake was on the menu at Mackenzie Squash club in New Zealand, while the national governing body partnered with the Mental Health Foundation to support squash and mental wellbeing, with activities including a ‘squasthathon’ featuring national men’s champion Evan Williams.
In Guatemala, players and fans came together to celebrate World Squash Day 2021 at the headquarters of the National Squash Sports Association of Guatemala.
In Ireland, a fun day of activities for young players could be found at venues such as the Celtic Squash Club and Ballyshannon.
In Australia, the Squash For All campaign continued to reach out to players of all ages and backgrounds, with activities including a junior squashathon and online training sessions for players in lockdown.
In Nigeria, players at the NICON Luxury Squash Club, Abuja, celebrated with a friendly tournament.
In Scotland, the Squash The Stigma campaign – in partnership with The Heart of Scotland Appeal – encouraged players to share their #SweatySelfies to get the nation moving.
Sue Strachan, Doctor and Squash Player is supporting the #SquashTheStigma campaign with @Scottish_Squash
Get involved by posting a #SweatySelfie to #SquashTheStigma
Read more about the campaign here: https://t.co/S0JNJejW5m pic.twitter.com/4irqc2ilZN
— Heart Research UK (@heartresearchuk) October 9, 2021
Squash was brought to underserved communities in Malaysia, as the sport was promoted to young players from Mantin.
In South Africa, the GIRLS CAN initiative encouraged female players to pick up a racket, while ‘parents v children’ matches ensured there was fun for the whole family.
In Wales, Karakal TEC Pro Elite Fast Fibre Frame and Karakal S Pro Elite Fast Fibre Frame rackets – as used by Tesni and Emyr Evans – were up for grabs for players who entered the photo competition, while World No.9 Joel Makin challenged members to beat his score of 35 backhand drives in one minute.
COVID restrictions in Japan didn’t stop squash lovers from all across the nation connecting, with a huge digital campaign uniting players from all prefectures.In Canada, players at the YWCA Metro Vancouver Fitness and Racquet Club celebrated with a day of events and activities.
Learn more about World Squash Day.
Follow World Squash Day on Twitter and Facebook.