Author name: Marie-Michèle Trudel

Here is an analysis report in the form of a scientific publication focusing on the bounce of squash balls, conducted by one of our members, Martin Hirschkorn, PhD.

During the past summer, Dr. Hirschkorn dedicated himself to testing, measuring, and comparing various squash balls, considering different variables such as the brand, the point rating, the ball’s surface temperature, and more.

By sharing this information, we hope it will be helpful to you and assist in making an informed decision when choosing a ball based on your skill level.

Consult the analysis

On October 9^th, 2023, it was announced that the LA28 organizing committee had recommended to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that squash, among four other sports, join the 2028 Olympic Sport Program. By October 16^th, 2023, the IOC ratified that recommendation: squash, for the first time ever, will be an Olympic sport.

“I’m delighted; I think it’s going to be a terrific Olympic sport,” said former vice president and honorary member of the IOC, Dick Pound. “Squash is the kind of sport the IOC is looking for: gender equality, great emphasis on fitness and skill, it’s not expensive – it checks all the boxes.”

Since the late 1980s, and the introduction of multi-sided viewing showcourts, squash has been vying for a position in the Olympic Games. Pound, a Canadian Squash Hall of Fame inductee, has historically been a strong advocate for squash to join the Olympic Sport Program. Leveraging his position with the IOC, Pound has been working diligently for decades to see squash’s inclusion: “It’s been a journey. We’ve been close to inclusion before, but no sport likes to come off the Program and there’s a practical limit to the number of sports and athletes you can put into the Games. It takes a lot of quiet, hard work and enlightened leadership to get the attention of the IOC’s Program Commission. The sport has grown in bits and pieces over the years, and with the improvement of technology and increasing ease of travel, squash has been able to spread and become more genuinely international. It now has everything the IOC should be looking for and this is an excellent opportunity both for squash and the IOC.”

With a seat at the table in the Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games, among other major multi-sport events and world squash events, the Olympics were the next natural milestone for squash competition. After narrowly missing out on inclusion to the Olympic Sport Program several times in the past decade, the success of inclusion at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles is a great feeling of excitement and anticipation for the sport.

“It’s strong motivation to just work hard and maybe get close to being an Olympian,” shared Ocean Ma, Girls U19 Champion at the 2023 Canadian Junior National Championships. Both Ocean and twin sister Spring Ma, Girls U17 Champion, share plans to play at the collegiate level once they graduate from high school.

“It’s with great joy and excitement that Squash Canada received news this morning that squash will be included at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” said Sandra Thompson, Squash Canada President. “This is a long time coming and we greatly appreciate the tremendous effort and passion our squash colleagues poured into securing squash’s place at what will be its pinnacle event! For our athletes, it is a dream come true to set one’s goals to represent squash and Canada at the Olympic Games. For Canadian officials and coaches, this will be another opportunity to be part of international competition at its highest level.

“We are very grateful to the LA28 and Olympic Committee for this opportunity. We know that squash will provide an exciting, fast paced spectacle that demonstrates that squash truly belongs in the Olympic Games.”

The LA28 organizing committee had the opportunity to consider including new sports for its edition of the Olympic Games, and through a very lengthy process called the Request for Information (RFI), squash was selected for recommendation. The RFI assessed sports on various factors including economic responsibility, gender equality, sport integrity, fan interest, youth relevance, and more.

Jamie Nicholls, CEO of Squash Canada: “Squash Canada celebrates the inclusion of our sport to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Program.  It’s a testament to the resilience and determination of our national and global communities to at last take our rightful place on the world’s largest and most impactful sporting stage.

“To the athletes and coaches that have helped chart this important course: we thank you deeply for your contribution. And to young squash players across our nation: may this allow you to dream bigger, train harder and reach higher in your pursuit of the Olympic dream.”

Squash Canada is ecstatic by the IOC’s ratification of squash in the LA28 Games and looks forward to this next chapter for squash on the world stage.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Emily Hall, Programs and Communications Coordinator
C: 289-556-6660
E: emily.hall@squash.ca

Photo: Nash Cup David Baillargeon Montréal, 24 septembre 2023 (Sportcom) – La route a été longue, mais le joueur de squash David Baillargeon a tenu bon et a été couronné champion de la Coupe Nash à London, en Ontario. Il est le deuxième Canadien après Shawn Delierre en 2011 à remporter ce tournoi du circuit de l’Association professionnelle de squash (PSA), du côté masculin. Cette victoire permettra à Baillargeon de grimper au 42e rang mondial, soit le meilleur classement de sa carrière. Désormais parmi les 48 meilleures raquettes au monde, il sera assuré d’une qualification aux plus gros événements de la PSA. « L’entraînement de cet été a payé. J’ai aussi eu un bon tournoi à l’Open de Charlotteville la semaine passée. Ma saison a bien commencé et je veux continuer sur cette lancée », a mentionné le Lévisien en entrevue avec Sportcom. Opposé à l’Américain Faraz Kahn en grande finale, l’athlète de 27 ans s’est sauvé avec la première manche 11-8 samedi soir. Il est passé bien près de doubler son avance au deuxième set, mais Kahn a résisté et a plutôt créé l’égalité. « Ça m’a fait mal de le perdre », a souligné Baillargeon, alors que les deux finalistes s’affrontaient depuis déjà plus de 40 minutes. Il a repris les devants par la suite et a fermé les livres en quatrième manche. Son opposant a été incapable de suivre le rythme imposé par l’éventuel champion qui l’a finalement emporté 3-1 (11-8, 12-14, 11-9, 11-2) après 63 minutes de jeu. « J’étais un peu fatigué des matchs précédents, mais j’avais un dernier coup à donner, un dernier gros effort et j’ai tout laissé sur le terrain, a-t-il partagé. Il a cassé avant moi au quatrième set. En rendant le troisième difficile, je savais qu’il y avait des chances qu’il manque d’énergie et c’est ce qui est arrivé. J’ai eu le dessus physiquement et j’ai pu aligner les points relativement vite. » Le Québécois a gagné son premier duel de la compétition contre l’Américain Spencer Lovejoy au compte de 3-0 (11-5, 11-8, 11-5). Il a ensuite vaincu l’Anglais Finnlay Withington en quart de finale 3-2 (9-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6), puis a défait Curtin Malik, aussi d’Angleterre, en cinq manches de 11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 8-11 et 11-8. Avec l’Ontarienne Hollie Naughton qui a raflé le titre chez les femmes, c’est la première fois que deux athlètes canadiens remportent la Coupe Nash depuis sa création en 2008.Baillargeon profitera de quelques journées de repos avant de se rendre à Philadelphie à l’occasion du US Open. Quelques semaines plus tard, il représentera le Canada aux Jeux panaméricains à Santiago, au Chili.

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Rédaction : Luc Turgeon Information : 514-990-0966 ou 1-866-990-0966 www.sportcom.ca

Nous sommes ravis de vous annoncer le lancement de notre tout nouveau Programme de Squash Junior. Les cours auront lieu tous les samedis pendant 8 semaines, du 30 septembre au 18 novembre 2023, au Sani Sport Brossard, et sont ouverts à tous les jeunes de 6 à 16 ans.

Ce programme promet d’offrir à votre enfant une expérience enrichissante et amusante tout en développant ses compétences en squash.

Si vous souhaitez inscrire votre enfant ou obtenir plus d’informations, veuillez cliquer sur le lien suivant : Inscription au programme de squash junior

Pour ceux qui n’ont pas eu la chance de participer à notre cours d’essai gratuit au printemps, une séance d’essai gratuite est prévue pour le samedi 30 septembre 2023, de 14h à 15h pour les jeunes de 6 à 10 ans et de 15h à 16h pour les jeunes de 11 à 16 ans. Pour inscrire votre enfant à cette séance d’essai gratuite, veuillez contacter Anne-Frédérique Bayard à l’adresse courriel suivante : anne-fred.bayard@sports-4murs.qc.ca

Nous sommes impatients de voir vos enfants sur le terrain de squash, où ils pourront apprendre, s’amuser et se développer dans un environnement convivial et compétitif.

N’hésitez pas à partager cette activité avec vos amis et votre famille.

Au plaisir de vous retrouver au Sani Sport.

Cordialement,

Squash Québec

TORONTO (August 30, 2023) – Squash Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s squash team nominated to compete at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

Team Canada’s squash team for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games is:

Athletes

David Baillargeon (Montreal, Que.)

Nicole Bunyan (Victoria, B.C.)

George Crowne (Oakville, Ont.)

Danielle Letourneau (Calgary, Alta.)

Hollie Naughton (Mississauga, Ont.)

Graeme Schnell (Calgary, Alta.)

The six athletes qualified for Team Canada based on their Professional Squash Association (PSA) Rankings, their recent head-to-head results, and/or their performances at previous Pan American Games and Championships.

On the women’s side, history-maker and four-time national champion Hollie Naughton leads the team at number 19 in the world on the PSA rankings. These will be the third Pan American Games for Naughton, who was part of the silver medal team at Toronto 2015 and was Canada’s first double medallist at Lima 2019 where she won bronze in both women’s singles and mixed doubles. In 2022, she made history as the first Canadian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in squash. She claimed silver in women’s singles in Birmingham where she also served as Canada’s Closing Ceremony flag bearer.

Naughton is joined by former world number 18 and two-time national champion Danielle Letourneau, who captured silver in women’s doubles in her Pan American Games debut at Lima 2019. Rounding out the women’s team is world number 45 Nicole Bunyan, who is competing at her first Pan Am Games and her second major multi-sport Games after representing Canada at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

On the men’s side, Canada’s top-ranked David Baillargeon heads to the Pan Am Games for the first time, but is no stranger to international competition. The three-time national champion has competed in the Pan American Junior and Senior Squash Championships, the 2022 World Games and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. He also has six PSA Tour titles to his name.

“I’m incredibly happy and proud to be representing Canada at the Pan Am Games in Santiago,” said Baillargeon. “It will be my first Pan Am Games but I’ve followed closely the last two editions and I saw how a great performance there could potentially be a career-defining moment. Representing Canada is always an honour and I’m ready to leave it all on the court for my country. I can’t wait to get started!”

Joining Baillargeon is Graeme Schnell, who won gold with the men’s team and silver in men’s doubles at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, as well as George Crowne, who will make his Pan Am Games debut at Santiago 2023.

Manager of Athlete Development Samantha Cornett is well aware of the potential of Canada’s squash team.

“Our team is deep with experience and knows how to medal,” said Cornett. “Canada’s squash athletes will be looking to bring home golds in Santiago for Canada. Our top athletes will be well into the 2023-24 season and ready for the Games. On behalf of Squash Canada, we are thrilled to be supporting this talented group and look forward to seeing what they can accomplish together.” 

The Canadian squash team qualified for the Santiago Games at the 2023 Pan American Championships in Cartagena, Colombia in June. At those championships, Canada took home gold in the women’s singles event, gold in the mixed doubles event, and silver in the women’s team event. The squash team will be on the hunt to add to the medal count for Team Canada in Santiago.

“Squash Canada is excited and looking forward to watching our team in action during the upcoming 2023 Pan American Games being held in Santiago, Chile,” added Sandra Thompson, President of Squash Canada. “We have a history of doing well in these Games and are confident we will have another great showing. It is always a great pleasure and honour for our athletes to represent us internationally, especially at such a large multisport event.”

Squash will take place October 31 to November 5 (Days 11 to 16) at the Estadio Nacional.

“Racquets ready, hearts determined – Team Canada’s squash team is a powerhouse mix of experienced medallists and promising rookies,” said Christine Girard, Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Chef de Mission. “I’m honoured to lead this exceptional team and I have no doubt that their performance will inspire us all and make Canada proud. And don’t be surprised if they squash the competition!”

Team Canada’s squash team alternates and coaches for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games are:

Alternate Athletes

Liam Marrison (Markham, Ont.) – Alternate Athlete (Non-Travelling)

Iman Shaheen (Ottawa, Ont.) – Alternate Athlete (Non-Travelling)

Brett Schille (Calgary, Alta.) – Alternate Athlete (Non-Travelling)

Nikole Todd (Regina, Sask.) – Alternate Athlete (Non-Travelling)

Coaches

Yvon Provencal (Montreal, Que.) – Coach

Graeme Williams  (Windsor, Ont.) – Coach

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organisations.

The latest Team Canada Santiago 2023 roster can be found here.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Emily Hall, Programs and Communications Coordinator

Squash Canada

C: 289-556-6660

E: emily.hall@squash.ca  

Tara MacBournie, Team Canada Santiago 2023 Sport Communications Lead

Canadian Olympic Committee

C: 647-522-8328

E: tmacbournie@olympic.ca

Léo Roberge-Crovatto reçoit une bourse de 1 500$ de la Fondation Nordiques.

Voir le Communiqué de presse du 19 juin 2023.