Late in 2019, Squash Ontario received a phone call from Melissa Goldmintz-Shah looking for squash equipment to borrow to help with her newly renovated and re-launched gym that had one squash court in the Blue Mountains. This was an exciting phone call to finish off the 2019 busy squash year and to welcome a new club into the Squash Ontario family before year’s end.

As we step away from the courts, we wanted to remind the squash community that there are plenty of ways to stay engaged with sport and the below listings are tailored to athletes - any age and skill level - introducing opportunities off-court. Tap into these resources to help start your next season off stronger.

Dream team duo of actor Ryan Reynolds and hockey sensation Hayley Wickenheiser have partnered to spotlight the Conquer COVID-19 organization that sprang up quickly to help supply healthcare and front line workers with equipment to limit the spread of the virus.

Our “We The North” series continues this week with an inspiring story from Timmins, where local pied piper Clifford Lamming literally took matters into his own hands and built the community a new squash court. Partnering with Northern College and their athletic complex, the court has spawned incredible activity and momentum by an enthusiastic and passionate group of players.

As we step away from the courts, we wanted to remind the squash community that there are plenty of ways to stay engaged with sport through online programming, receive Professional Development credits towards your certification and to get a head start on completing some courses you may need to do in the future!

In the summer of 2017 Squash Ontario was slowly and steadily growing and developing its programs when a group of visionary business leaders came together to form the inaugural SO Fundraising Committee. This passionate and energetic committee dramatically accelerated the organization in a few short months and kick started Squash Ontario 2.0 as we now hurl towards a very promising future.

This week we profile the Jesters of Ontario as we continue to recognize the corporate partners and individual donors that are making a difference in our sport. With decades of support, over $250,000 in financial contributions, passionate enthusiasm and a strong vision for growing the game, this group is the single largest driver of our sport this century.

It is with a heavy heart but a hopeful sense of responsibility that we will officially be cancelling the remainder of the 2019-20 season. As such, Squash Ontario will turn our focus to engaging our members and supporting our amazing professionals and clubs virtually during this time away from the courts. 

Squash Ontario is pleased to announce a draft list of athletes and alternates who have been nominated for Ontario Cards under the 2019-2020 Quest for Gold - Ontario Athlete Assistance Program (OAAP). The athletes nominated were selected using the sport specific selection criteria developed by Squash Ontario and applied by (the) Selection Committee.

Squash Ontario continues to use this time away from the courts to recognize the corporate partners and individual donors that give our community the tools to grow our sport and put Ontario athletes on international podiums. This week we feature Gary Slaight of Slaight Music who over the past decade is the single largest donor to the sport in Canada and a great friend and patron of the game.