In squash - The Podcast

This discussion brought together 5 extremely passionate members of our squash community, all of whom have dedicated much of their recent time to identifying ways forward towards growing the game. This panel discussion was meant to discuss various initiatives, issues, shortcomings and potential solutions to helping squash regain footing and head back towards a period of growth. The panel includes:

1. Zena Wooldridge - President of the World Squash Federation - https://www.worldsquash.org/

2. Peter Marshall -Part of the Independent Squash Minds group and former World #2

3. Robert Eberhard - Squash entrepreneur, CEO of ActiveScout and author of soon to released book on growing the game of squash

4. Cleve Miller - Excecutive Director Open Squash - www.opensquash.org

5. Ed Alvarez - Unionville Athletic Club President and Squash Mad contributor on growing the game www.unionvilleac.com

Victor Crouin has picked up exactly where he left off at the end of 2021/22, on an upward trajectory and playing some inspired and impressive squash. This episode drops as Victor has reached another final, the Canadian Open where he meets number 2 seed Joel Makin in what should be a great match. Victor talks about the Canadian Open, his season to date, the officiating dialogue in the aftermath of Aly Abu's tweet suggestions, and he also sets the record straight on the Squash Mad article which cited his thoughts on world #1 Mostafa Asal. Great chat as always, and please visit the www.opensquash.org website for details on their growing the game vision.

The Oxford Properties Canadian Open brings world class squash back to the Great White North. Bow Valley Athletic Club is hosting the event, and club CEO Dean Brown returns to the pod to break it all down!! Check out BVAC https://www.bowvalleyathleticclub.com and the pod sponsor Open Squash at www.opensquash.org

Squash Mad's RJ Mitchell comes on to recap the start of the 2023 season, and then we take a deep dive into the Mostafa Asal situation, and RJ is an authority given his two recent interviews with Mostafa combined with his Victor Crouin, Marwan El Shorbagy and Jansher Khan stories, all of whom had a bit to say about the current world #1. We also talk about the rising star of Diego Elias, the future rivalry b/t Elias and Asal, and Gina Kennedy's return to health and form to begin 2023. Great chat. Please check out what our sponsor www.opensquash.org is up to.

Jackson Bragman from the Bragman Breakdown helps me to breakdown the Tournament of Champions which concluded a few days back in New York City. We talk about the stellar performances throughout the event from the two eventual winners, Diego Elias and Nour El Sherbini. Finals day was a bit anti climactic, but overall the event had plenty of great moments, including the play of the Colombian Cannonball Miguel Rodriguez, and we talk about what's made him such a special player over the years. We also talk a bit about the performances of the US women and the promise of the US men who are on the cusp of making a move into the prime time of the PSA rankings. Check out the Bragman Breakdown here https://thebragmanbreakdown.buzzsprout.com/ and check out the goings on our sponsor www.opensquash.org

Hard to believe it was 4 years back, shortly after retirement, that the Wolf, Nick Matthew, first appeared on this podcast. Former World #1, 3 x British and World Open Champ and 3x Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Nick shows up like the legend he truly is. Nick gives great insight into everything we touched on: the recent British Junior Open including British success at U19, the first ever US male winner in any age group, coaching and officiating issues, and of course the Egyptian dominance over-all. Nick gives his TOC predictions, great insight on new world #1 Mostafa Asal, and how he and his peers back in the day would have played v. Asal, both mentally and from a tactical standpoint. Ep 250 is indeed pure gold. Many thanks to our sponsors at www.opensquash.org

2022 has been a breakout year for another one of the game's rising young talents. Reigning US National champion Timmy Brownell is on the cusp of regular gold and platinum event status. Currently at his highest ever world ranking of 52, Timmy's just outside the number that would guarantee him spots in those big event draws, but he knows it's just a matter of time. Timmy talks about his great season to date including his SL Green US Nationals victory along with Challenger Series wins in Vancouver and Louisville. We also look back to last year's TOC where he won the qualifying event and then went on to win his first round. Timmy also talks about how proud he is represent the US and how US men's squash is not far off replicating the success of the US women. Squash talk doesn't get much better than this. Open Squash is our podcast sponsor, so please check out their homepage at www.opensquash.org

Aly Abu Elenein is without question one of the bright young talents on the tour, with impressive results over some of the best in the game in his first half-year on tour. Aly finds himself poised to take a legitimate run at reaching the top 10 in the near future. Aly and I talk about his season to date, and how it's inspired him going forward. Aly also discusses his squash backstory which for an Egyptian standout junior was somewhat unconventional. We also talk about his 4 exceptional years at Penn, and the highlight of his squash career till now, clinching the Ivy League title for Penn in February, 2022. We also discuss how unique the varsity squash is and how the team aspect of the game has helped him to develop as a player. Many thanks to our sponsor Open Squash, www.opensquash.org

Earlier this month, Squash Mad's founder and Editor in Chief Alan Thatcher decided to relinquish the reins at the publication for health reasons. Yet, the publication is in very good spot going forward with the team he has assembled. Alan and I talk about his decision to step aside for the time being, the growth of Squash Mad and its team of writers. We also take a World Squash Day deep dive by looking back at the beginnings, its growth since then, and the struggles he's had in getting some national and international governing bodies to support the day. Overall, a tremendous chat with someone who's spent a lifetime working towards growing the game of squash. Please check out our sponsors at www.Opensquash.org

Ending the first half of the 2022/23 PSA with a victory at the Hong Kong Football Club Open, Marwan El Shorbagy finds himself back to playing his best squash. Not only that, he finds himself back in the mix again at #6 in the world, with all to play for with some big events fast approaching in 2023. This is a great chat about the season to date, joining forces with the all time great Rodney Martin, and his takes on officiating and the need to have the very best officials at all the major events. We also talk about big bro Mohammed representing England now and how supportive he and his family were with that big move. Our sponsor is Open Squash, visit their website at www.opensquash.org