Squash Ontario has a long tradition as a leader in high performance squash worldwide.  Starting from Under 9 juniors all the way up to 75 plus senior athletes, Ontario has produced and developed international caliber players, including several world champions.  We are committed to continuing this winning tradition through our Team Ontario initiatives including Team Ontario Senior and Masters programs, Quest for Gold, Canada Winter Games, and the provincial championships circuit.

ONTARIO WINTER GAMES

The Ontario Games Program includes 5 multi-sport Games that provide athletes of all ages, from all regions of Ontario the chance to compete against their fellow provincial athletes. The Ontario Games Program gives participants, communities, volunteers and everyone a chance to celebrate sport in Ontario.

Squash Ontario has been a part of the Games since 1981 and they are a key component of our junior athlete model and long term athlete development plan.  8 divisions will compete in the Ontario Winter Games:

• Boys Under 19

• Girls Under 19

• Boys Under 17

• Girls Under 17

• Boys Under 15

• Girls Under 15

• Boys Under 13

• Girls Under 13

For many athletes, being part of the Games has been a springboard to Ontario and National Teams.

8 regions compete in squash:

• Greater Toronto Area East

• Greater Toronto Area West

• Greater Toronto Area North

• Northern/Muskoka

• Ottawa and District

• Western Ontario

• Southwestern Ontario

• Niagara Region

Depending on the deadlines provided by the Ministry, teams will be chosen based on Squash Ontario Junior Rankings as of a specific date, the year of the OWG. If the deadline allows for it, regional teams outside of the GTA will host try-outs to compete for a spot on the team in December.

canada winter games

The Canada Games is a high-level multi-sport event with a National Artists Program held every two years in Canada, alternating between the Canada Winter Games and the Canada Summer Games. Athletes are strictly amateur only, and represent their province or territory.

The Games were first held in 1967 in Quebec City as part of Canada's Centennial celebrations. For the first time in Canada's history, 1,800 athletes from 10 provinces and two territories gathered to compete in 15 sports. Under the Games motto "Unity through Sport", these first Canada Winter Games paved the way to what is now Canada's largest multi-sport competition for young athletes.

Squash was included as a winter sport in 1991 and since then Ontario has had a strong tradition of success with 11 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze medal over 8 Games for men, women and team events combined. The next squash competition will be held in Prince Edward Island, in 2023. 

Selection Criteria

• The Team Ontario squad will be named before the start of the 2021 season based off of rankings. Players who are not initially named to the squad are still eligible to make the selected team if they meet all requirements.

• Top 2 ranked Boys and Girls in the U19 and U17 categories as of December 1st, 2022 whom are still in those age categories by March 6th, 2023 will be selected to represent Ontario based off rankings.

• Must participate in the 2022 Ontario Junior Open, 2022 Gold # 1, 2022 Gold # 2, the 2022 Ontario Junior Closed Championships, and attend training camps set up by Squash Ontario.

• If an athlete is attending a post-secondary or educational institution abroad as a full-time student in the Fall of 2022, they may request an exemption of participating in Gold #1 and Gold #2 but must participate in the 2022 Ontario Junior Closed.

• The Squash Ontario Junior Committee and Provincial coaches reserves the right to request a trial if rankings are considered insufficient in delta and there are insufficient head to head results from mandatory events.

• In the case of injury or illness for not attending a required selection event, a medical certificate will be required. Squash Ontario must be notified of the injury immediately. The medical certificate must include, but not be limited to, the date of injury, diagnosis, treatment plan, and expected date to return to training/competition.

TEAM ONTARIO MASTERS SELECTION:

To qualify for Team Ontario Masters and participate in the Canadian Masters Team Championships, players must meet the below criteria.

Men’s Team 

The men’s team will comprise of four (4) players; one over the age of 40, at least one of whom must be over the age of 45, at least one other must be over the age of 50 and at least one further player must be over the age of 55. Playing position on the team will be determined by the team captain and Squash Ontario.

Women’s Team

The women’s team will comprise three (3) players; one over the age of 40, at least one of whom must be over the age of 45 and at least one other must be over the age of 50.  Playing position on the team will be determined by the team captain and Squash Ontario.

Eligibility Criteria 

• Be an individual member in good standing of Squash Ontario at the date of selection

• Be either a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant

• Have resided in Ontario for 12 months prior to the date of the Ontario Masters Closed Championship

• Age eligibility as of the last day of the Canadian Masters Teams Championship

• SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Players MUST participate in the 2023 Ontario Masters Closed Championships

• Winners of the following divisions will be invited to join Team Ontario: Men’s 40+, 45+, 50+, 55 +, Women’s 40+, 45+, 50+

• If divisions are combined and there is no head to head match ups, the top finishers of each combined age group will be selected (ie. Men’s 40/45+ division, the top finisher aged over 40+ will be selected and the top finisher over 45+ will fill that spot). If the top finisher declines to participate, the second placed finisher will be invited.

• If the winner of a draw declines to participate on Team Ontario, Squash Ontario reserves the right to place a higher ranked, winner of an older division to the team (ie. If Women’s 50+ winner declines and the 55+ winner is higher ranked than the runner up, they will be invited to take the 50+ spot).

quest for gold

The Quest for Gold – Ontario Athlete Assistance Program is a program designed to help fund Ontario's top high performance athletes in their given sport to achieve high performance success on an international level.  It is geared towards Ontario athletes whose goals achieve a place on the Canadian National Teams. 

Historically, Squash Ontario has worked with the Sport, Recreation & Community Programs Division to employ the Ontario Athlete Assistance Program (OAAP) which is direct funding to Ontario’s High-Performance Athletes. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this program was placed on pause.

Squash Ontario is grateful to share that the MHSTCI has provided Squash Ontario with $23,397.00 to allocate to our High-Performance athletes for the 2021-2022 season. This funding will be directed to athletes through Squash Ontario instead of the OAAP as it was previous to the pandemic.

Over 23 and under 23 athletes must play in the Ontario Closed or the Ontario Open in the selection calendar year in order to be eligible unless conflicting with a PSA event. Juniors must play Gold 1 or 2, as well as the Ontario and Canadian Junior Closed. For the additional selection criteria, see the document below.

Squash Ontario utilized pre-existing Quest for Gold Athlete Criteria (see link below) and are pleased to award the following athletes with Quest for Gold Funding:

• Nikki Todd - Over 23

• Liam Marrison - Over 23

• Salah Eltorgman - Under 23

• Niki Shemirani - Under 23

• Wasey Maqsood - Male Junior

• Arham Izhar - Male Junior

• Sasha Lee - Female Junior 

• Ashley Hall - Female Junior