Squash the gender gap

West Hants Club are hosting the squash County Closed Championships on 9 and 10 November, but expect the event to be largely dominated by the male competitors.

The competition sees two days of the best players coming together competing for the title of ‘County Champion’.

Whilst this is considered to be the most important date in the calendar for local squash players, those involved in the tournament believe that it is losing its popularity.

Dorset junior squash development coach Bev Vatcher said “Numbers are a bit lower this year. It could be cost, or just too many sports and not enough weekends.

“You’re looking at say around 32 (players) for the men, then hopefully six ladies and half a dozen over 45 and 55’s.”

The numbers show that squash is leaning towards being a male-dominated sport.

This has been addressed by England Squash, who in 2021 launched a campaign called “Break the Bias encouraging more women to get involved in the sport.

Vatcher said: “We’ve put a lot of work in to getting more women on court, but they’re tending to enjoy playing racquetball more because it’s easier to play.”

“Racquetball is less physically strenuous, it’s great for endurance because the rallies go on for longer, but squash is very physically challenging.”

One of the favourites to become women’s county champion, Michelle Baker, places the gender gap on something different.

“Squash was popular in the 1980s and many women played when they were younger, but most then have a family and life takes over.”

Squash is still very niche in the sporting world so is often left untouched by the media, but it is set to make its first Olympics appearance in LA 2028.

Squash coach at West Hants, Matt Loughran says: “I think without wider participation it is hard to get relatable media coverage.

“I also think unless you have ever played squash it is hard to relate to how difficult and physically demanding the sport is based on the PSA matches.”

Head down to West Hants on 9 and 10 November to see how the likes of Michelle Baker fare in the County Championships.