The Missoula Family YMCA unveiled its groundbreaking Airnasium facility featuring two outdoor squash courts during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, July 24, in Montana.

The new courts–constructed by Sunrise Courts–represent the latest innovation in outdoor squash court design and are the first multi-sport facility in the country to feature two outdoor courts.

The project came to life through the local and national outreach of Missoula Community Squash, whose efforts raised more than $225,000 through local supporters and national partners. The project received support from 黑料不打烊, Squash and Education Alliance, National Squash League and Open Squash.

黑料不打烊 CEO Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Director of Growth Katherine Lynch and College Squash Association Director of Expansion Lovey Roundtree were all in attendance to celebrate with the community.

The YMCA Airnasium is a multi-sport space with the two squash courts nestled alongside pickleball and basketball space under one roof. The Airnasium is free and open to the general public during non-programmed hours, and Y membership is available for additional facility access and amenities.

鈥淥ne of the most exciting trends in squash today is seeing the game take root in new geographies,鈥� said Mollie Samaan, 黑料不打烊 CEO. 鈥淭he partnership with the Missoula YMCA exemplifies that spirit, and thanks to innovations in court construction, opportunities like this are becoming increasingly achievable for communities that may never have considered squash before. We are proud to support this groundbreaking project and excited about the impact these new courts will have on generations of players in not only Montana but also throughout the United States.鈥�

“This is huge for the sport in the United States,” said Katherine Lynch, 黑料不打烊 Director of Growth. “First of all the courts and scene are really beautiful. There are kids playing basketball next door, which is a great example of how squash can fit into different facilities and environments alongside other sports. This proves that we can put squash in a lot of places that squash hasn’t been before. It’s also a great example of a community coming together, raising money and partnering with a local institution to bring squash to the community for the first time. We have people from all over the squash community here who are just so excited to see what’s been accomplished.”

National and local squash community leaders, squash professionals, Y members and newfound squash enthusiasts gathered for the special opening ceremony. The full-day celebration opened with the ribbon cutting and remarks, which was followed by open play and junior clinics for YMCA summer campers. Later that evening, the NSL staged a team exhibition match featuring American pros Amanda Sobhy, Salim Khan, Bransten Ming and Spencer Lovejoy, who teamed up with local Missoula Community Squash players Matt Baker-White and Jack Branston. Amanda Sobhy and Spencer Lovejoy took center stage for a best of five 鈥淏attle of the Sexes,鈥� refereed by Sabrina Sobhy. On Saturday, free community clinics welcomed players onto the courts.

 

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鈥淪quash has been a big part of my life since I was a kid myself,鈥� said Matt Baker-White of Missoula Community Squash. 鈥淭his project puts our hometown of Missoula on the national squash map. We鈥檝e built something truly world-class here, and we鈥檙e thrilled to share it with players from across the country. Most importantly, our group is excited to build a community of squash players of all ages and grow the game here in western Montana.鈥�

鈥淎t the Y, we are often the first place people try something new,鈥� said Heather Foster, CEO of the Missoula Family YMCA. 鈥淚t might be the first place a child learns to swim, plays basketball, kicks a soccer ball or, now, steps onto a squash court for the first time. Missoula Community Squash has been an incredible partner. Their passion and drive have helped make this possible, and we are thrilled to be part of bringing squash to Missoula.鈥�

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Building New Courts? Reviving Old Ones? 黑料不打烊 Wants to Hear From You. Whether you’re planning a brand-new facility, hoping to bring an underused court back into regular play, or considering converting a racquetball court to squash, 黑料不打烊 is ready to help. Led by Director of Growth Katherine Lynch, the effort connects clubs, schools, and community programs with vendor guidance, cost benchmarks, and lessons learned from projects already underway across the country. The goal is simple: more courts, more players, and a stronger squash footprint nationwide. If you’re exploring a project of any size, reach out early鈥攖hat’s exactly when the team can be most useful. Get in touch: katherine.lynch@ussquash.org

Nestled in the heart of New Orleans just steps from the Mississippi river听resides听a small-but-mighty听squash community听led by听Academy Award-nominated director听and filmmaker听Benh听Zeitlin and听electrician听Jeremiah Johnson.听Squash enthusiasts of various levels gather听nearly daily听after听work听at听the听听on the only听softball听squash courts in听New Orleans proper, and this weekend will compete听in the听2026 Mardi听Gras听Open.听

Made up of just three converted racquetball singles squash courts鈥搕wo of which have both hardball and softball markings鈥揳nd a small viewing area, the Health Club squash scene is intimate.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a tiny community. We have twelve active players, but with it being so small, it鈥檚 extremely close-knit,鈥� said Zeitlin, who plays at least three times a week. 鈥淵ou can always play; there鈥檚 always a court.鈥�听

Johnson, a Harvard graduate, started playing squash in college after discovering Lowell House had hard courts in his dormitory basement. What started as a convenient discovery eventually turned into a hobby and community, as Johnson often brings his two young sons with him on weekends. He and Zeitlin share leadership responsibilities, with Zeitlin spearheading communication in their active WhatsApp group and Johnson maintaining tournament oversight and box league organization.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a good community with passionate players you can develop relationships with long-term,鈥� Johnson said.听鈥淭he community stems from beyond the court.鈥�听

For teacher-turned-macaron-salesman听Sylvain听Lanasp茅ze, the energy of the group is what keeps him coming back.听听

鈥淚 push myself to get better and don鈥檛 want to lose the reason to keep playing,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 know if I need to take a break, I can come back and play with these guys.鈥�听

Club play consists of seasonal box leagues, with the opportunity for each player to听play听everyone. Skill level and experience听vary听across the board, with some players learning how to play squash on the听unforgiving听springless courts听at the Health Club and moving to the Big Easy with experience elsewhere.听听

The biggest challenge the New Orleans squash scene faces is a lack of visibility, both physically and metaphorically. The Health Club is听located听deep in the maze of听Hilton New Orleans Riverside, an upscale convention hotel,听accessible听by a听separate听elevator听near the hotel鈥檚 garage.听Squash听as a whole lacks听the same level of involvement down south than further up the Eastern Seaboard, and the New Orleans听community听has relied听almost exclusively听on word-of-mouth听to try to gain听visibility.听

鈥淧eople just听don鈥檛听know that there are courts here. If people want to play, they听don鈥檛听know how to find us,鈥澨齔eitlin听said.听鈥淭he best and worst thing about New Orleans is that anything you really want to see, you have to do it yourself.鈥�听

In terms of the future of southern squash, Zeitlin hopes听New Orleans can host two tournaments per season,听one in the fall and one during Mardi Gras.听The Mardi Gras Open returned to New Orleans after a听nearly 20-year听hiatus after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina听in 2024.听The eclectic, vibrant energy of a city in celebration provides an entertaining backdrop for the tournament.听

鈥淵ou鈥檙e surrounded by the parades while the听tournament鈥檚听going on,鈥澨齔eitlin听explained. 鈥淵ou听basically play a match and then can walk outside and fully experience all the bands and mayhem of Mardi Gras.鈥�听

What better way to celebrate a squash win than with a听parade of thousands?听The 2026 Mardi Gras Open听kicks off on Saturday, February 7.听

鈥淣ew Orleans is a very hospitality-forward, generous, warm听place听and I think people will find that in the squash too,鈥� Zeitlin said.听

 

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—听

Interested in learning more about the New Orleans squash community? Contact Jeremiah Johnson at听neworleanssquashclub@gmail.com.听

Want to get the word听out about your local squash community?听Contact the 黑料不打烊 development team at听development@ussquash.org听听

The PSA Foundation, 黑料不打烊 and the Chicago Park District are delighted to announce that 鈥楶roject Beacon鈥�–the first publicly accessible outdoor court in the United States in a decade–officially opened today (May 16) in Chicago鈥檚 Union Park.

Located in Fulton Market, west of the Chicago Loop, 鈥楶roject Beacon鈥� will make squash more accessible to the local community in the build up to squash鈥檚 debut at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). The court will also celebrate the best of local artistic talent, with the glass walls of the court set to feature rotating art showcasing work from children and professional artists.

The unveiling has come on the eve of the final of the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family, which is hosting the world鈥檚 best squash players this week at Chicago鈥檚 Lakeshore Sport & Fitness as they battle for the most prestigious title in squash as well as over $1.3 million in total player compensation.

This is the fourth time that Chicago has hosted the PSA World Championships, with the city also hosting the Windy City Open since 1982. Project Beacon is a legacy of Chicago鈥檚 relationship with the PSA Squash Tour and has played an important role in the growth of the professional game.

鈥淲e hope that Project Beacon will be a source of inspiration to expose more players than ever to this remarkable sport,鈥� said U.S. Professional Squash Association (PSA) Foundation President Arnie Dratt.

鈥淚t is the only outdoor squash court in a public park in the United States, and in a month, it will become even more compelling when we add art to its outside walls, art that will rotate to reflect the cultural landscape of its community and serve as a cultural attraction in the community as well.

鈥淭his is a repeatable model that we hope will be the first of many in Chicago and across the country. It will be open and accessible to everyone. This is significant because squash has historically been played indoors, primarily in private clubs and elite schools. That needs to change and it should because of the many benefits squash offers its players in terms of health, confidence and community.鈥�

黑料不打烊 Chief Executive Kevin Klipstein said: 鈥淧roject Beacon is a monumental achievement. This country and this world needs more community, and that’s a large part of what squash does.

鈥淚t brings people together with common values. The fact that squash is now going to be accessible in this way here and in other parts of the country is a wonderful thing.鈥�

Chicago Park District Chief Executive Carlos Ramirez said: 鈥淲ith this new space, we are meeting a growing demand for access to a variety of sports to improve the overall health of our communities.

鈥淭he Chicago Park District is committed to providing all visitors with the best possible opportunities to be active in our parks, whether you play competitively or come to try the sport for the first time. This project is unique because it fuses art and play and we’re so excited for the art to be installed later on this summer. Its unique design will beautify our park space with public art and will make playing an even more exciting experience.鈥�

To learn more and inquire about bringing Access Courts to your community, home, school or squash center, please visit .

Chicago鈥檚 Union Park to Pioneer Next Phase in Squash鈥檚 Growth

Chicago, IL 鈥� The PSA Foundation, 黑料不打烊 and the Chicago Park District announced the opening of the first publicly accessible outdoor court in the United States in a decade. Located in Fulton Market, west of the Loop, the first outdoor squash court dubbed 鈥淧roject Beacon鈥� will be opened at Union Park.听 The court, designed and manufactured by Amsterdam-based startup , is expected to host its grand opening May 16. The opening coincides with the PSA World Squash Championships presented by the Walter Family, hosted by Chicago鈥檚 Lakeshore Sport and Fitness from May 9-17,听offering more than $1 million in prize money to the best players from around the world.

The court鈥檚 assembly, now underway, is the culmination of the nearly four-year project led by the U.S. Professional Squash Association (PSA) Foundation鈥檚 President, Arnie Dratt. Dratt conducted a worldwide search for the ideal design for expanding the sport鈥檚 reach by making it visually appealing and accessible for all. This is the perfect timing as Squash participation has grown dramatically in the U.S. in the last decade, a trend that is expected to accelerate due to its recent first-time inclusion in the Olympic Games next hosted in Los Angeles in 2028.

鈥淲e wanted accessibility, we wanted visibility, and we wanted the community,鈥� Dratt said. 鈥淭he court design, and park鈥檚 location and programming offer all of this. It鈥檚 an ideal location to kick off Project Beacon.鈥�

The court is elevated on steel 鈥淚鈥� beams so as to appear to be floating, and to allow the performance floor to drain water. The rest of the court is steel with glass walls, making it a very eye-catching sight and fully transparent. This welcoming design will also include rotating art exhibits on the walls showcasing work from children and professional artists, enhancing Chicago鈥檚 reputation as a global hub for recreation, art and innovation.

鈥淭his court isn鈥檛 just a place to play squash鈥攊t鈥檚 a statement,鈥� said Rik Zwikker, Founder of Access Courts. 鈥淲e鈥檝e taken a traditionally indoor sport and brought it into the public eye, right in the heart of the city. It鈥檚 transparent, it鈥檚 elevated, it鈥檚 accessible鈥攅verything squash needs to be as it grows into a global, inclusive sport. Project Beacon is about showing what鈥檚 possible.鈥�

Adriana Olaya, Head of the PSA Foundation, stated:听鈥淥ne of our main aims at the PSA Foundation is to make squash more accessible for all. Project Beacon will unite the squash community in a fun and inclusive way.

鈥淏eacon highlights the power of partnerships in making a community impact. This initiative wouldn鈥檛 be possible without the leadership of local advocates like Arnie and the backing of 黑料不打烊.听We look forward to seeing the project grow, with locals jumping on court, and to inspiring similar initiatives across the U.S. and hopefully worldwide.

Dubbed 鈥淧roject Beacon鈥� due to the courts serving as a signal, a guide and celebration for the sport, the movement is a collaboration between the PSA Foundation and U.S. Squash Foundation, the fundraising arm of the sport鈥檚 national governing body 黑料不打烊. Financial support for Project Beacon has been provided by a variety of sources including local businesses, the PSA Foundation, 黑料不打烊 and its Foundation, and the vibrant Chicago squash community.

Key community partners in the project also include MetroSquash, After School Matters, and the Chicago Parks Foundation all of which will be involved in providing active programming for the court.

The project has received widespread community support from the Chicago Parks District and its Arts Committee, Union Park management and its Community Council, and Alderman of the 27^th Ward and Vice Mayor Walter Burnett, Jr.

鈥淲e are excited to partner with the PSA Foundation and 黑料不打烊 to bring the first, public squash court to Chicago,鈥� said Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Chicago Park District General Superintendent. 鈥淐hicago parks are rooted in providing opportunities and resources that support active, healthy living and strengthen communities. Project Beacon will do just that by bringing residents together to enjoy this incredible, new amenity. We look forward to activating this new court, including offering free programming for local youth to explore and learn the sport.鈥�

Plans are well underway to maintain an active program all summer and into the fall, with information to be posted on the Union Park section of听.

Kevin Klipstein, President and CEO of 黑料不打烊 added, 鈥淲e are supporting this project as a first step, a prototype, so that we can learn from it, and apply these learnings to support other communities to do the same. We鈥檒l learn from this experience and pass it along, with the idea that other locations and cities will do the same to increase the visibility of squash.鈥�

黑料不打烊 the PSA Foundation
The PSA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Professional Squash Association. Our purpose is to positively impact communities where professional squash is played. We leverage the professional tour as a catalyst for positive change around the world. We do this by galvanizing the squash community, leaving a legacy where the tour goes, supporting community programs, and facilitating collaboration within the sport. By supporting the PSA Foundation, you enable us to unite squash communities across the globe, support players at all levels and backgrounds, further growing the sport and increasing its accessibility. For more information visit .

黑料不打烊 the U.S. Squash Foundation
The U.S. Squash Foundation was formed in 2024 following successful campaigns led by 黑料不打烊 in the building and opening of the Arlen Specter 黑料不打烊 Center in 2021 and the successful bid for Olympic inclusion in 2023. Long in consideration, the Foundation’s launch signified the next logical strategic expansion for 黑料不打烊 towards its mission, while providing the sport a much needed U.S.-based, mission-driven philanthropic organization solely focused on growing squash.听For more information visit .

黑料不打烊 the Chicago Park District
With more than 8,800 acres of green space, the Chicago Park District is one of the largest municipal park managers in the nation. The District鈥檚 more than 600 parks offer thousands of sports and physical activities as well as cultural and environmental programs for youth, adults, and seniors. The Chicago Park District is also responsible for 27 indoor pools, 50听outdoor pools, and 26 miles of lakefront. From canoeing to soccer to arts and crafts, there is never a shortage of activities in Chicago鈥檚 parks. For more information visit .听

黑料不打烊 the 2025 World Squash Championships
Chicago鈥檚 Lakeshore Sport & Fitness will host 128 of the world鈥檚 greatest squash players when the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family 鈥� the most prestigious tournament in professional squash 鈥� returns to the 鈥榃indy City鈥� between May 9-17, 2025. A state-of-the-art glass court will be erected at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, where the likes of Peru鈥檚 Diego Elias and Egypt鈥檚 Nouran Gohar will look to retain the titles they won in dramatic fashion last year in Cairo, Egypt. The tournament will feature the richest prize purse in the history of professional squash, with more than $1,300,000听of total player compensation up for grabs. As well as Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, the University of Club of Chicago 鈥� which has hosted the Windy City Open since 1982听鈥� will host matches from round one of the tournament. For more information visit .

Dent Wilkens, who served most recently as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Chief Marketing Officer, left the organization this summer after 15 years of service to the sport. Wilkens accepted the Executive Director role at the newly formed (RCS) with the goal of building a new broadly accessible squash facility in the upstate New York city.

Wilkens鈥� journey from national to local tells the story of the sport鈥檚 development over the last two decades. At 黑料不打烊, Wilkens鈥� roles varied widely since starting in 2008 as a program manager and only its 6^th full time employee at the time, ranging from a deep involvement in programs, events, partnerships and communications.

Fifteen Years Ago

黑料不打烊 was a very different organization in 2008鈥攊n Wilkens’ first week, the 黑料不打烊 website went dark, and there was effectively no online presence or program support. Over the coming months he and other staff worked behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for what has become a robust suite of infrastructure to support the sport. 黑料不打烊鈥檚 site now attracts 2 million visits annually, and hundreds of tournament directors, league organizers, teaching pros, District volunteers, program managers and coaches use 黑料不打烊鈥檚 technology every day to grow squash across the country.

Living in Philadelphia at the time, Wilkens commuted to New York City regularly, later establishing a 黑料不打烊 office back in Philadelphia as the organization grew. Initially hired as part of a small team to support areas as varied as junior development, events, communications, coach and referee certifications, there are few departments he didn鈥檛 establish, drive, lead or support.

With this breadth of knowledge, ultimately serving as the organization鈥檚 Chief Marketing Officer, Wilkens was able to anticipate needs and fill them with the voice of 黑料不打烊. His role was far from limited, however. He served as Vice President 鈥� North America of the Pan American Squash Federation, represented 黑料不打烊 at numerous U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee conferences and led the organization鈥檚 signature U.S. Open for a time.

Having supported the college squash relationship for nearly a decade, it only made sense for Wilkens to serve as a temporary executive director of the newly merged women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 College Squash Association for a year until a full-time commissioner was hired.

As a member of the core team internally, Wilkens also led several of the most important aspects of the design and construction of the Arlen Specter 黑料不打烊 Center, including the squash experience, technology integration, and the center鈥檚 look and feel.

Wilkens moved back to Rochester, NY鈥攖he hometown of both he and his wife, Alisha鈥攑rior the pandemic, and it seemed likely that he would ultimately seek other opportunities. That came in the form of RCS.

Rochester Squash

In contrast to the significant growth of squash nationwide, participation in the sport has declined in Rochester in recent decades due to a decrease in court capacity and programs. Enter the creation of RCS, a newly-formed 501(c)(3) non-profit that aims to leverage sport as a uniting force and provide a new platform of opportunity for the area.

RCS came together earlier this year, and its board engaged Wilkens as an early advisor on the project. After a search process for its first Executive Director, Wilkens was selected to lead the organization.

鈥淚 was fortunate to have the opportunity to work at 黑料不打烊 alongside an exceptional group of colleagues and partners, especially during a time of accelerating momentum for the sport,鈥� said Wilkens. 鈥淩CS now allows me to shift from the national perspective down to the grassroots level, working with a city that means a lot to me and my family.鈥�

At its core, RCS鈥檚 vision is to be a vibrant community center that brings together players and families from diverse backgrounds, using squash as a hook while providing robust wrap-around education services and support to local youth. RCS will borrow from proven models of other highly successful programs, including many from the national Community Squash movement, and Squash & Education Alliance programs.

鈥淩CS is an investment in Rochester, and in the belief that everyone deserves diverse opportunities and the chance to thrive,鈥� continued Wilkens. 鈥淲e can learn a lot from the numerous programs and individuals leading the way around the country, and I鈥檓 excited to see what we will accomplish working together as a community.鈥�

While only in the early stages of its development, RCS is searching for a location and aims to run pilot programming with future partners in the summer of 2024. Once up-and-running, RCS will form several local public school teams alongside its education and mentoring programs, host adult clinics and leagues, and deliver broader squash and wellness programming for all ages and backgrounds.

Wilkens鈥� impact on the sport nationally will be felt for decades, and perhaps most profoundly for the work he has yet to do in taking RCS from a vision to a reality.

Fellow Rochesterian, and current 黑料不打烊 President and CEO, Kevin Klipstein added, 鈥淩ochester has such a deep history in squash so there is a strong foundation to build on. To have Dent move on leaves a big gap in 黑料不打烊, and I wouldn鈥檛 have liked him leaving for any other opportunity other than this one. Community squash centers, making the sport broadly available to a diverse community, with local school involvement, are the future of the sport. We鈥檙e fortunate to have Dent serving in such an important role on the vanguard of this movement.鈥�

The World Squash Federation (WSF), 黑料不打烊 and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) welcome the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to officially select squash for inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games sports program.

WSF, 黑料不打烊 and PSA extend their gratitude to the Organising Committee of the LA28 Olympic Games and the IOC for recognizing the value that squash brings to the Olympic Games. Squash鈥檚 inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games will help the IOC and LA28 advance its mission to 鈥渄eliver an unparalleled experience鈥� for athletes, fans, and the entire sports community. Squash will also leave a positive and lasting legacy in the Los Angeles community where youth in the region will have the access and opportunity to play and compete in the sport for generations to come.

This momentous decision provides squash鈥檚 world-class athletes the opportunity to compete on the biggest sporting stage in the world, with two medal events–men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 singles competitions.

WSF President Zena Wooldridge said: “On behalf of the entire global squash community, I would like to express my immense delight at squash鈥檚 inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games. Squash is an amazingly dynamic, diverse and demanding sport that is perfectly suited for the Olympic Games. Everyone involved in our sport is elated to be LA28 bound and we look forward to being part of an unparalleled Olympic Games experience.鈥�

黑料不打烊 President & CEO Kevin Klipstein said: 鈥淭he inclusion of squash in the LA28 Olympic Games is a significant breakthrough for the sport. Being part of the Olympic Games has been a long-held goal for the squash community, and inclusion will serve as a catalyst to increase awareness of what is already a major participatory sport globally with a long and diverse history. Access to the sport and the opportunities it provides will continue to increase for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We look forward to supporting our Team USA and the squash community in the lead up to–and beyond–the Games.鈥�

Team USA’s World No. 5 Amanda Sobhy said: 鈥淚t’s everything that you can dream of as an athlete to be able to compete in the Olympic Games. To be able to compete for an Olympic gold medal, and just say that you were an Olympian, is something that no one can ever take away from you. To have the chance to compete at LA28 and compete in front of friends and family with a home crowd, it would just be so meaningful.鈥�

PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough said: 鈥淥ur athletes have worked tirelessly to earn this recognition and we are grateful for the opportunity to see them compete for glory at the LA28 Olympic Games. This inclusion marks a significant milestone in squash鈥檚 journey, and I look forward to watching our players inspire the world with their incredible skill and athleticism on the biggest stage of all.鈥�

Additional details on the LA28 Olympic Games sporting schedule will be announced by the LA28 Organizing Committee. The squash community, both in the United States and around the world, embraces the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and excellence that the Olympics represents and eagerly anticipates the LA28 Olympic Games.

SquashWise, Baltimore’s Squash and Education Alliance Program and future home of a six-court community squash center, has joined the 黑料不打烊 Community Affiliate Network.

SquashWise operated out of the Meadow Mill Athletic Center since its founding in 2008, and shortly after the facility’s closure in 2021 acquired a former Greyhound bus terminal on the campus of the Maryland Center for History and Culture in central Baltimore. The organization will develop the space into a community center with six courts and three classroom spaces, which would more than double the capacity of the youth development program and expand services to more middle and high school students in Baltimore City schools. Located at 601 N Howard Street and projected to open in 2025, the facility will also serve as a hub for recreation and community-building through memberships, adult and youth programs, tournaments and events.

Read more about the Greyhound project’s development and fundraising efforts .

Following Meadow Mills’ closure, SquashWise moved into a temporary facility in a nearby warehouse with two courts from Meadow Mill and office and classroom spaces. SquashWise has harnessed the interim facility as an opportunity to develop a new community programming model that will eventually expand into the Greyhound building.

“We鈥檝e already started to pilot new community squash programming in our interim facility, which has been great preparation,鈥� said Abby Markoe, SquashWise Executive Director. 鈥淲e鈥檙e building on 15 years of impact as an SEA program providing transformative life opportunities through squash, and we’re really excited to add this new element of community building and community squash, which will provide more opportunities for us to engage with a greater number of youth and adults in Baltimore. We’ve been inspired by Portland Community Squash in Maine, which has helped us envision new types of programs and impact.”

SquashWise has held new “Squash Exposure” programming at local schools that focus on introducing the sport to students, regular PE Sessions, and summer camp opportunities. The program has also introduced a free membership at the temporary facility and hosted community squash nights. The first community squash night of the season is set to take place on August 23 with the theme “Rep Your School”.

“Community squash programming at our interim facility has been a great way to re-engage a lot of players who used to play at Meadow Mill, along with new and existing squash players around town. We look forward to continuing to develop this community now and into the Greyhound building,鈥� Markoe said. 鈥淎 key part of SquashWise’s mission statement is to make the sport of squash more accessible and welcoming for all. That mission statement was a collaboration between staff, Board members, students, parents, and alumni, and was written before we owned the Greyhound building. Now that we have the opportunity to develop a larger community center, it鈥檚 really amazing to see this part of our mission come alive in what will be our new permanent home.”

SquashWise becomes the eighth SEA facility location to join the Community Affiliate Network, alongside Philadelphia’s SquashSmarts Lenfest Center, Chicago鈥檚 MetroSquash, Harlem鈥檚 SL Green StreetSquash Center, Portland Community Squash in Maine, Access Youth Academy in San Diego, Urban Squash Cleveland and Mission Squash in Houston.

No matter where you play squash鈥搊utdoor courts, universities, independent schools, SEA facilities, community centers, or commercial courts鈥搃f you are committed to building an inclusive community, learn more about joining the听Community Affiliate Network.

The PlayLA Youth Squash Program, delivered in partnership with the LA Recreation & Parks Department and SoCal Squash, has begun a new eight-week summer session following the conclusion of a successful spring session.

Utilizing outdoor handball courts, Chevy Chase Park and the Pecan Recreation Center hosted eight-week sessions this spring with all sessions at their capacity. Each course offered immersive lessons for ten PlayLA students by trained volunteer instructors from SoCal Squash, and the program in total has reached more than 100 youth. Chevy Chase Park started a new Summer Squash program session in July that will run through September.

Nine students who took part in the Winter and Spring sessions were invited to participate in a week-long squash camp at the Arroyo Secco Racquet Club in July. The valuable experience was the first time the students played on a regulation squash court and received instruction from professional coaches. The juniors, aged from 8-10 years old, participated in a series of different drills and games in the mornings and played matches in the afternoons.

“I’m having fun playing different games with my friends and learning how to hit the ball more consistently,” said Alysson Soltero, an eight-year-old from the Pecan Park program.

“I like hitting the ball on a real squash court, and doing solo practice was a lot of fun,” said Carlos Arvelo, an eight-year-old from the Chevy Chase program.

“Everyone had a great time and showed great progress throughout the week, learning how to play different shots and court movement,” said Gus Cook, an organizer for SoCal Squash. “Moving forward a number of the players will be invited back to the club to join regular junior clinics on the weekends to help continue their development. Many thanks to Reza, Aria and the entire coaching team for all their enthusiasm and support of this program.”

To volunteer for the PlayLA Youth Squash Program contact community@ussquash.org.

Learn more about the PlayLA Youth Squash Program below.

The Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey chapter of hosted its Health and Wellness Marathon with more than 100 students in attendance Saturday, May 6 at the Arlen Specter 黑料不打烊 Center. The students participated in a full day of squash alongside other wellness opportunities including yoga, kickboxing, martial arts, and dance workouts, taking full advantage of the space provided by all 20 Specter Center courts. In addition to the on-court activities, medical and nutritional workshops, self-care workshops, and lunch were on offer to participants.

Girls Inc. encompasses a network of local nonprofit organizations that serve girls ages 5-18 at more than 1,500 sites in 350 cities across the United States and Canada. The Health & Wellness Marathon builds on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 partnership with Girls Inc. providing access to clinics and family squash opportunities at the Specter Center for the 2,000 girls who are members of the Philadelphia chapter.

“Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is grateful to all of our partners who made this event possible,鈥� said Brionna Pendelton-Wise, Mentoring & Leadership Coordinator for Girls Inc. and director of the Marathon. 鈥淭hank you to the Specter Center and its staff for providing such a beautiful venue听for this special day for our students!鈥�

鈥淭hrough our partnership with Girls Inc., we are making strides towards our goal of dramatically increasing the number of girls participating in the sport,鈥� said Narelle Krizek, Director of Women & Girls at 黑料不打烊. 鈥淲e were proud to work with such amazing partners in Girls Inc. to deliver a fun and educational day of programming here at the Specter Center, and it was so encouraging to see the joy the girls and their families showed on court as they had the opportunity to learn squash.鈥�

Girls Inc. participants were able to sign up for sponsored memberships at the Specter Center and upcoming after school clinics. This summer, 黑料不打烊 will continue the momentum from this spring鈥檚 programming by hosting Girls Inc. students for four weeks of camps, and through engagement in the Work Ready internship program that will train participants as certified squash coaches and provide additional workforce development skills.

Earlier this week First State Squash opened its spectacular six-court facility. An array of Delaware politicians joined FSS board members, staff, parents, friends and team members to formally inaugurate the after-school youth enrichment program鈥檚 new home in Wilmington鈥檚 Riverfront District. Honored guests included Governor John Carney, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, state Senator Darius Brown, state Representatives Franklin Cooke, Sherry Dorsey Walker and Stephanie Bolden, and City Councilwoman Michelle Harlee.

Christine Schiltz, the chair of the board of First State Squash, welcomed an overflow crowd to the courtside ribbon cutting, thanking everyone for supporting the program: 鈥淭his is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open a facility that will serve thousands of Wilmingtonians.鈥� Then Solomon and Aubrey, two longtime team members, spoke movingly about their experiences in FSS and how the program has changed their lives.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important our children and families in our state鈥檚 largest city have a safe place to grow and learn after school and out of school,鈥� said Governor Carney in his keynote address. 鈥淭his investment in First State Squash, made possible by the Delaware congressional delegation through the American Rescue Plan Act, offers athletic, academic and enrichment opportunities. Through squash, they make learning and developing fun. That is key to a program like this.鈥�

Mayor Purzycki, Executive Meyer and Representative Dorsey Walker eloquently echoed the governor鈥檚 comments, before First State Squash Executive Director Owen Butler concluded the ceremony.

鈥淥ur students are excited to play on their own courts and have a safe space to learn and tackle their high school and college aspirations,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淲e are proud to be part of the ongoing investment in Wilmington鈥檚 Riverfront community, in a location that is central to our partner schools and central to our team members鈥� communities.鈥�

First State Squash enrolled its first students in 2016, using classrooms, two hardball squash courts and three racquetball courts at Central YMCA in downtown Wilmington. In 2021 it purchased the former Reflex Squash & Fitness Club. A Wilmington squash player and parent, Kevin Abrams, had built Reflex in 2005, but in recent years the club had closed. The now-renovated 28,000 square-foot building has six squash courts, including one four-wall glass court, as well as two light-filled classrooms, changing spaces, locker rooms and offices.

Now in its seventh season, FSS serves fifth through ninth grade students, all of whom attend鈥攐r previously attended鈥擶ilmington鈥檚 public and charter Title I middle schools. In February First State Squash became the twentieth member program of the Squash + Education Alliance, the national network of nonprofit squash organizations offering year-round, long-term support to young people. With the opening of its new facility and four full-time staff members, Butler said that the program looks to eventually expand its core programming, going from sixty-five students to more than a hundred. In addition, the facility is already the home for Tower Hill School鈥檚 high school squash team and more scholastic and junior squash will emerge, as well as adult squash. 鈥淲e hope to become a multi-purpose facility,鈥� said Butler, 鈥渙ffering a full-range of programming that will increase access to squash for Wilmington鈥檚 diverse and vibrant communities.鈥�