Sunday, December 22, 2024

Squash Facilities Network targets ‘10,000 new courts in next decade’

The new Squash Facilities Network is aiming to be the catalyst for 10,000 new courts in the next 10 years by sharing good practice amongst squash venues across the globe.

Launched on 1 November, the Squash Facilities Network (SFN) is a working group of the European Squash Federation which aims to share learning from squash’s grassroots success stories to help existing venues thrive.

SFN’s intention is to build a hub of proven strategies from squash venues across Europe which venue owners and managers across the world can tailor to their own local contexts and the unique characteristics of their facility.

SFN says its bold vision for 10,000 new squash courts is backed by a surge of positive developments and the success of various squash venues worldwide. SFN director Markus Gaebel said: “While it’s recognised that some countries see more closures than openings of squash courts, often due to high real estate values and the obsolescence of old facilities, SFN aims to reverse this trend.

“By showcasing successful strategies from venues that have adapted to the evolving demands of recreational sports and have become highly successful, SFN intends to provide inspiration and guidance for other facilities. Through sharing best practices, SFN hopes to stimulate growth and encourage the modernisation of squash venues to meet and exceed the contemporary needs of sports and fitness enthusiasts.”

SFN focuses on three core sectors: management, coaches and architecture. In-depth case studies provide insight and expertise in each of these areas, and there’s also a forum for discussion between stakeholders and the promise of future collaborative research to deepen understanding of the industry.

Thomas Troedsson, President of the European Squash Federation, said: “At the heart of the Squash Facilities Network lies a mission – to bring together squash experts, enthusiasts, owners, investors, coaches, and visionaries, not only in Europe, but from around the world.

“Together, we will harness the potential of squash, transcending it from being just a sport to a thriving global community, a flourishing industry and a conduit to personal and financial success.”

School children at Hasta La Vista in Wroclaw

The ‘good practice’ hub has already begun to build with case studies from the ground-breaking Squashland in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the thriving schools partnership at the famous Hasta La Vista in Wroclaw, Poland (login required).

The SFN project is one of the outcomes from January’s European Squash Think Tank, held in Bucharest in January, which brought together leading stakeholders to seek solutions to growing the sport.

SFN director Gaebel, former international sales manager at court giants ASB and managing director of Courttech, said: “I see very strong potential for 10,000 courts to be built across the world as long as we work together.

“Venue owners and managers, coaches and club designers will benefit immensely from gaining a deep understanding of ‘what success looks like’ in venues across Europe. We aim to foster greater collaboration and understanding and become an important nerve centre for the sport.

“The WSF, PSA and US Squash’s stunning success with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic bid has given squash huge impetus – but grassroots squash requires support. As guardians of the sport in Europe, we’re seeking to lay a platform for future growth.”

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