Playing Squash is more popular than you think. 48 professional squash players have been in London for a week long tournament. The 11th annual Squash Nash Cup is held every year at the London Squash and Fitness club. The tournament brings in these professionals from over 17 different countries and many London squash fanatics. Western’s squash team also participates and others in local amateur leagues.
Jay Nash is the host of the long-running tournament with his own experience as a squash player. Nash explains that squash is competitive but offers a safe alternative to contact sports.
“One of the strongest parts about this sport, in the age of concussion awareness and head injuries is that you don’t have an opponent you actually hit. Mothers and Fathers who have children who might otherwise play a contact sport, have starting turning towards squash as a way to get the physical aggression of a high level sport without the contact and risk.”
Nash also says that squash is an evolving sport that’s starting to get attention. This tournament is a prime example of the squash community in London.
“The impact it’s had on London has been very positive. Squash is growing globally, it hasn’t been added as an Olympic sport yet, but it’s powerful in the common wealth game in singles and doubles.”
This tournament is a prime example of the squash community in London and helps boosts the sports’ exposure.
Squash Ontario is a very well developed program that runs across the province, including in London.
There are many places Londoners can get involved in squash.
There are nine facilities that have squash courts in London, as well as student courts at Fanshawe and Western.
The Nash Cup wraps up on Sunday with the Professional Women’s Finals at 2pm.
See more details at the tournament website here.
