SQUASH LIFE
Squash - the King of Sports
* Forbes magazine ranks squash No. 1 among the healthiest sports, with "convenience on its side:"30 minutes on the squash court provides an impressive cardio-respiratory workout".
* Tennis Industry Magazine, now called Racquet Sports Industry, has reported that squash is the only racquet sport that is growing in the United States, based on court construction and gear sales. Most U.S. players have a college degree, and by one's estimate more than half earn $100,000 U.S. annually, says the Chicago Tribune
* Because of its global reach, squash suits business travellers
* "It's a very cerebral game - it's akin to chess," says Chicago neurobiologist Dr. Sangram Sisodia, who learned to play the game as a child in India. As a researcher of Alzeheimer's disease, adds the Tribune, he firmly believes in increasing blood flow to the brain through such exertion. "Squash has beneficial aspects physically, mentally and emotionally."
World Squash Statistics
There are more than 15 million people playing squash on over 47,000 courts in the world, spanning over 150 countries.
Participation by Country
| England |
8,666 courts |
| Germany |
6,000 courts |
| Australia |
3,578 courts |
| Egypt |
3,700 courts |
| Malaysia |
1,500 courts |
| United States |
3,315 courts |
| Canada |
1,810 courts ** |
Squash in Canada
In Canada, squash is played by more than a quarter of a million people over the age of 15. This is more people than cycling, and more participants than gymnastics, track and field, and figure skating, all combined. Players compete at over 425 clubs (private/public) in Canada with the greatest concentration in Ontario.
Squash Ontario Demographics
The demographic information in this section is based on survey results from
Squash Ontario’s member squash players, conducted in Summer 2008. The
survey garnered a response rate of approximately 26%.
General Squash Player Demographics
Player Habit Demographics
Purchasing Habit Demographics
Other Activities
Volunteerism Demographics
General Squash Player Demographics
Gender
|
Male |
77% |
Female |
23% |
|
Marital Status
|
Single |
40% |
Married |
52% |
Divorced |
8% |
Widowed |
1% |
|
Age
|
<19 |
22% |
20-29 |
8% |
30-39 |
15% |
40-49 |
19% |
50-59 |
23% |
60-69 |
10% |
70+ |
3% |
|
Number of Children
in Household
|
0 |
39% |
1 |
13% |
2 |
26% |
3+ |
13% |
No children currently living in the home. |
10% |
|
|
High School |
17% |
Some College/University |
13% |
College Diploma/ Undergraduate Degree |
39% |
Master's Degree |
16% |
Doctorate |
6% |
| Other |
9% |
|
Personal Annual Income
|
<$30,000 |
24% |
$30,000 - $39,999 |
7% |
$40,000 - $49,999 |
4% |
$50,000 - $59,999 |
5% |
$60,000 - $69,999 |
6% |
$70,000 - $79,999 |
10% |
$80,000 - $89,999 |
5% |
$90,000+ |
39% |
|
Occupation
|
Student |
26% |
Clerical |
3% |
Professional |
40% |
Self Employed |
13% |
Owner/Manager |
11% |
Other |
7% |
|
Household Annual Income
|
$40,000 - $59,999 |
7% |
$60,000 - $79,999 |
9% |
$80,000 - $99,999 |
12% |
$100,000 - $119,999 |
9% |
$120,000 - $139,999 |
12% |
$140,000 - $159,999 |
12% |
$160,000+ |
40% |
|
Player Habit Demographics
|
Location of Play
|
Private/Commercial club |
79% |
Recreation centre |
14% |
University/College facility |
4% |
Private School facility |
0% |
Other |
2% |
|
Location Where Learned
to Play Squash
|
Elementary/High school |
6% |
College/University |
17% |
Family/Friends |
21% |
Private/Commercial club |
41% |
Recreation centre |
12% |
Other |
2% |
|
Time of Day Played
|
Weekday mornings |
3% |
Lunch time |
9% |
After work/school |
33% |
Evenings |
46% |
Weekends |
9% |
|
Frequency of Participation in Physical Activity
|
Less than once a month |
0% |
1-2 times a month |
1% |
Once a week |
1% |
Twice a week |
5% |
3 times a week |
20% |
More than 3 times a week |
73% |
|
Reason for Playing Squash
|
Fitness |
34% |
Competition |
33% |
Social |
29% |
Other |
3% |
|
Frequency of Squash Play
|
Less than once a month |
1% |
1-2 times a month |
3% |
Once a week |
6% |
Twice a week |
23% |
3 times a week |
33% |
More than 3 times a week |
34% |
|
Why Participate in Squash
|
Recreation |
13% |
Competition |
32% |
Both |
55% |
Other |
0% |
|
|
Participation in Squash |
Houseleague - Singles |
21% |
Houseleague - Doubles |
4% |
Inter-club league - Singles |
19% |
Inter-club league - Doubles |
7% |
Inter-city - Singles |
11% |
Inter-city - Doubles |
4% |
Ontario Championships - Singles |
20% |
Ontario Championships - Doubles |
7% |
None of the above. |
2% |
Other |
3% |
|
Out-of-Town Squash Court Usage |
Yes! |
80% |
No, I don't play squash out-of-town. |
13% |
No, but I would if I knew where the courts were. |
7% |
|
Children Playing Squash Too |
No. |
29% |
Some play squash. |
22% |
All play squash. |
10% |
Not applicable |
36% |
Other |
3% |
|
Purchasing Habit Demographics
Squash Racquets
Preferred Brand of
Squash Racquet |
Black Knight |
40% |
Dunlop |
20% |
Head |
12% |
Harrow |
6% |
Karakal |
2% |
Manta |
1% |
Prince |
3% |
Slazenger |
0% |
Wilson |
10% |
Other |
6% |
|
|
Frequency of Squash Racquet Purchase
(Not Including Breakage) |
Once a year |
40% |
Once every 2 years |
36% |
Once every 5 years |
10% |
Other |
14% |
|
Average Purchase Price of Squash Racquet |
$99.00 - $124.99 |
20% |
$125.00 - $149.99 |
31% |
$150.00 - $174.99 |
24% |
$175.00 - $199.99 |
17% |
$200.00+ |
7% |
|
Squash Balls
Preferred Brand of Squash Ball |
Black Knight |
12% |
Dunlop |
81% |
Head |
2% |
Harrow |
0% |
Prince |
0% |
Wilson |
1% |
Other |
4% |
|
|
Squash Ball Purchases |
Individually |
37% |
3 pack |
33% |
12 pack |
25% |
Other |
6% |
|
Eyeguards
|
Frequency of
Eyewear Purchase
(Not Including Breakage) |
Once a year |
20% |
Once every 2 years |
32% |
Once every 5 years |
35% |
Other |
13% |
|
|
Purchasing Location
Where Squash Equipment & Apparel is Purchased
|
Club pro shop |
49% |
Sports store |
35% |
Online |
11% |
Other |
6% |
Other Activities
Sports Frequently Watched on Television |
None. |
4% |
Baseball |
10% |
Basketball |
9% |
Football |
12% |
Gymnastics |
1% |
Hockey |
19% |
Skating |
2% |
Skiing |
4% |
Soccer |
11% |
Swimming |
1% |
Tennis |
19% |
Other |
7% |
|
|
Participation in Other Sports |
None. |
3% |
Baseball |
4% |
Basketball |
5% |
Football |
2% |
Gymnastics |
0% |
Hockey |
7% |
Skating |
5% |
Skiing |
16% |
Soccer |
9% |
Swimming |
13% |
Tennis |
16% |
Other |
20% |
|
Other Favourite Leisure Activities |
Camping |
8% |
Cooking |
8% |
Fishing |
4% |
Gardening |
6% |
Live entertainment (i.e. concerts/musicals/plays) |
11% |
Museums and Art galleries |
4% |
Reading and/or puzzles |
13% |
Shopping |
4% |
Traveling |
17% |
Watching television |
9% |
Watching movies |
13% |
Other |
4% |
|
Volunteerism Demographics
Volunteered with a Charity and/or Nonprofit Organization |
Yes! |
75% |
No. |
25% |
|
Volunteered with a Nonprofit Sports Organization |
Yes! |
60% |
No. |
40% |
|
Volunteered with a Squash
Program/Event and/or Organization |
Yes! |
65% |
No. |
35% |
|
Why People are Not Volunteering |
Not enough time to commit. |
35% |
Never been approached. |
39% |
Not interested. |
10% |
Other |
16% |
|
Frequency of Volunteering for Sports Related Causes/Events |
At a specific annual event |
14% |
At multiple events |
10% |
When asked |
41% |
Frequently |
11% |
On committee and/or board of directors |
13% |
Other |
11% |
|
|
