Around the Courts: A Big Month for Squash Across NSW

The past few months have been some of the busiest and most exciting for squash in New South Wales. From juniors representing Australia on the world stage, to record-breaking tournament entries, to new coaching pathways and community updates, squash continues to thrive across our state. Here’s a wrap-up of the highlights from around the courts.

NSW Juniors on the World Stage

Few things make us prouder than seeing our juniors compete internationally. At the 2024 WSF World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt, NSW players once again proved their talent and resilience against the world’s best.

• Boys’ Team Event: Finished competing for 13th spot.

• Girls’ Team Event: Battled for a top-five finish.

Individually, our juniors gained invaluable experience, showing the determination and skill that bodes well for the future of Australian squash.

Special mention goes to Jackson Wylie, Emmy Lamb, Marcus Wang, and Kasper Cheung, who flew the flag for Australia with pride.

Kasper, now with back-to-back World Juniors appearances, has his sights firmly set on 2027, his final year of eligibility. His goal? To reach the quarterfinals and help Australia crack the top four in the Teams Event. He describes the 2024 World Juniors in Houston as a turning point in his development:

“It showed me the standard the top guys are playing at. This year in Cairo, I was able to put a lot of those lessons into action.”

On home soil, Kasper also celebrated his third national title at the AJC 2024, a highlight made all the more special by sharing it with family, coaches, and clubmates.

Meanwhile, Emmy Lamb continues to impress both in Australia and abroad. Her standout memories include the Australian Junior Championships — “fun to see all the friendly faces and stay with the NSW team” — and the Dutch Junior Open, which she describes as having an “incredible atmosphere.” Her advice to younger juniors?

“Just have fun! As long as you enjoy playing, it makes it easy to show up for training — and the sport gives you so many opportunities.”

Tournament Highlights Across NSW

Hiscoes Open – Record Numbers and Epic Matches

The 6th Stellar Hiscoes Open was one for the books, with record entries and a packed weekend of squash. Saturday afternoon was particularly intense, featuring numerous five-set thrillers that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

Results:

• Open Final: (1) Josh Larkin bt (3) Mike Corren — 12/10 11/4 11/3

• State Final: (6) Rehman Gul bt (4) Phillip Chow — 11/9 11/7 11/7

• A Final: (2) Jess Rogerson bt (16) Kiran De Silva — 15/13 11/7 10/12 11/6

• B Final: (7) Logan Effendi bt (11) Fatimah Khan — 11/3 11/8 11/6

• C Final: (2) Kieran Bryant bt (13) Riley So — 11/4 11/3 7/11 11/13 11/9

• D Final: (7) Annette Chow bt (5) Joe Chow — 15/10 15/6 15/11

A huge thank you to Susan at Hiscoes for her support, and to Zoe Collins, who endured a marathon 12-hour Saturday ensuring everything ran smoothly. Gratitude also to Stellar Sports for providing prizes and helping elevate the event.

Norths Pennant – Squash is Truly Ageless

One of the most inspiring matches this season wasn’t about rankings or titles — it was about longevity. A Norths Pennant team and their opposition went head-to-head with a combined age of 456. The thrilling contest proved that squash is truly a sport for all ages, keeping players active, competitive, and connected well into their later years.

Central Coast Update – Courts on the Horizon

There’s more good news for the Central Coast squash community, with strong progress in the Association’s bid for new courts. Local advocate Rex has been pushing tirelessly, and the signs are looking positive for expanded facilities that will support the growth of squash in the region.

North Manly Redevelopment

Exciting changes are also underway at North Manly Squash Club @ Warringah Recreation Centre. Northern Beaches Council recently confirmed:

• A new 52-space car park will be built between August 2025–February 2026.

• Once complete, work will begin on brand new squash courts in late 2025.

• Tennis court upgrades will follow in 2026.

This redevelopment is a major step forward for one of Sydney’s key squash hubs.

Building the Future: Coaching Pathways

One of Squash NSW’s key goals is to build sustainable pathways by growing the pool of accredited coaches around the state.

Recent Coaching Courses

• Elanora Squash & Fitness Centre and East Coast Squash Academy hosted a Level 1 Coaching Course despite the rainy weather. Coaches left inspired, with new tools and knowledge to pass on to players of all levels. Special thanks to Grant Gough, whose energy and expertise made the weekend a success.

• Courses have also been held in Bega and Cardiff, with strong attendance and enthusiasm.

Upcoming Coaching Course – Wagga Wagga

📅 30–31 August | Wagga Squash Club
Following the success of recent courses, Squash NSW will run a Level 1 Coaching Course in Wagga Wagga. The aim is to ensure that regional centres are just as equipped as metro hubs to deliver high-quality coaching.

Rev Sport & Competitions Q&A Series

RevSPORT remains an area where many clubs seek clarity. To bridge this gap, Zoe Collins, our Affiliation and Competitions Manager, will be running information sessions in the coming weeks.

Clubs are encouraged to email questions to zoecollins@nswsquash.com.au ahead of the sessions. These forums will provide much-needed answers, helping clubs feel more confident with the system and its role in managing competitions and affiliations.