Blair Horler’s road to Dallas, Texas, is one of ambition, adaptation, and new opportunities. Former professional squash player Horler moved around the world before settling in the United States. He is now the Vice President of Sales for FourSixes, living far away from home, and dealing with life abroad. Find out if the contrast between squash popularity in New Zealand and the United States has an impact on how he lives now.
Blair Horler’s Expat Journey
In 1997 Blair Horler left New Zealand for professional squash. The journey began in Europe, then he came to the United States in 1999 from New York. By 2008 he lived in Dallas. For Horler it was a reaction to the opportunities squash presented in the U.S., particularly in New York, where squash was gaining popularity at elite clubs and universities.
Dallas offered another lifestyle. And Horler says he likes the city’s central location – it makes travelling within the United States easier. It has direct flights to New Zealand, proximity to Europe, and access to the Caribbean or Mexico. However, distance remains a problem when living in New Zealand with family and friends. Despite this, Horler has built a successful career, family, and squash legacy in Dallas.
How Life in Dallas is Different
A move to a new country usually involves accepting new customs. That goes for everything from food preferences to payment methods. Like New Zealanders navigating online casinos with POLi payments, Horler had to learn about U.S. payment systems and financial norms. After all, online casinos are popular with many squash players since both involve some strategy and luck. You can find more info about the platforms that are most popular among Kiwis.
Horler says living in Dallas has its advantages. Housing and running a business in Australia are cheaper than New Zealand, Horler says. He also plays sports in the city and goes to games and events. Some things in Texas take getting used to though. The local cuisine, Texas BBQ, is not quite to his Kiwi liking. The meat quality in New Zealand impresses Horler, while he says Texas BBQ is too sauce-laden.
Another adjustment is transportation in Dallas. And unlike New Zealand where walking or public transport might suffice, driving is required in Texas. For longer distances, Horler says flying is an option because domestic flights are cheap. These big changes, while manageable, point to a larger theme of adapting to life as an expat.
New Zealand’s Longstanding Squash Tradition
In New Zealand, squash is one of the national sports, attracting about 90,000 players annually. That’s relatively high given the size of the country. Approximately 42.6% of New Zealand adults played competitive squash in 2017. National governing body Squash New Zealand manages and promotes the sport.
The sport is still pretty popular, but squash may have reached its peak in the 1970s and 1980s. Community courts and clubs are common and open to everyone. That tradition in New Zealand contrasts with its niche status in the U.S.
Squash is a Niche American Sport
In the United States, squash has a smaller participation base than mainstream sports like basketball or football. In 2017, around 1.49 million Americans over age six played squash. That number sounds large, but it’s a tiny fraction of the population. However, squash is growing in popularity and will finally be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
There is a unique history of “hardball” squash in the United States. Many squash facilities are in colleges, universities and prep schools. That contrasts with New Zealand where squash is more ingrained in communities. A niche sport, the U.S. squash scene has a dedicated following and promising future.
Comparing the Squash Cultures
Squash popularity varies between New Zealand and the United States. It is a mainstream sport with strong community links in New Zealand. In the U.S. it remains a niche pursuit often associated with elite institutions. This divergence reflects wider cultural attitudes towards sports and recreation.
Why is squash so popular in New Zealand but so rare in the States? With courts open to the public in New Zealand, squash is ingrained in local culture. The sport is constrained in the U.S. by associations with private clubs and universities. Still, squash in America looks brighter with the upcoming Olympics, and more people are becoming interested in it.
Horler’s Life of Adaptation and Growth
The move of Blair Horler to Dallas from Waimate illustrates the challenges and rewards of starting over in a foreign land. It’s a story of resilience, adaptation and opportunity pursuit. The opposite popularity of squash in New Zealand and the United States is not well-known. If you’re a Kiwi expat living abroad or a squash fan wondering how the sport has spread worldwide, Horler’s story sheds light on adaptation and squash’s universal appeal.