The Heart of Squash: Celebrating the Volunteers Who Make the Game Tick

Squash might be one of the fastest sports in the world — but its real engine is much slower, quieter, and often underappreciated. It’s the people behind the scenes. The volunteers. The ones who give their time, energy, and love to keep the sport alive and thriving.

From referees calling the big decisions to coaches running junior sessions, to those setting up chairs at events, manning the desk, or making sure the lights are on — these individuals are the foundation of squash. Without them, we don’t have clubs. We don’t have leagues. We don’t have a sport.

Coaches: The First Face, the Last to Leave

Think back to your first-ever squash session. The nerves. The unfamiliar court. The new grip on the racket. For most players, it was a volunteer coach who made them feel welcome, showed them the ropes, and lit the first spark of passion for the game.

In towns and cities across the world, volunteer coaches are doing that every single week — rain or shine, with no fanfare or financial reward. They are:

• Nurturing the next generation

• Keeping local squash alive

• Giving players purpose, confidence, and community

And often, they do it all on top of full-time jobs and family life.

Referees: The Guardians of Fair Play

It’s not a glamorous role. There’s pressure. There's scrutiny. There's very little thanks.

But without referees, our sport doesn't function — from club box leagues to international tournaments. These volunteers uphold the rules, maintain integrity, and enable matches to go ahead.

They invest hours into training, certification, and practice so that players can enjoy competitive, fair squash. Their role may go unnoticed — until they’re not there.

Event Volunteers: The Glue That Holds Everything Together

Who sets up the courts? Welcomes the players? Deals with schedules, scorecards, registrations, and snack tables?

Event volunteers are often the invisible heroes. They're the ones:

• Turning up before everyone arrives

• Staying behind after everyone’s gone

• Making sure everything runs smoothly so others can shine

From junior open tournaments to club finals night, these are the people keeping squash vibrant and community-focused.

Squash Needs Its People

Squash isn’t powered by money, headlines, or big sponsors. It’s powered by people.

People who care.People who turn up.People who ask nothing in return but the satisfaction of giving back.

Without them, the lights would go out. The courts would be empty. The next generation of champions would never pick up a racket.

So What Can You Do?

• Say thank you. It goes a long way.

• Get involved. Even if it's just helping out once a month, every hand makes a difference.

• Take that first step. Attend a coaching or refereeing course. You might discover it’s one of the most rewarding roles you'll ever have in squash.

The future of squash doesn’t just lie in our stars — it lies in our stewards. The coaches, referees, organisers, and club helpers. If squash is to grow, especially in the lead-up to LA28 and beyond, we must continue to recognise, support, and celebrate the volunteers who make this game possible.

They don’t do it for the headlines. But they deserve them.