In squash - The Podcast

Host of the Around the Court Podcast, the Peter Nicol Squash Academy Director of Squash, Reigning and 8 x Irish National Champion Arthur Gaskin is producing squash at the highest level across the spectrum. Arthur and I look back at his early days, his first Irish National Championship, Irish legends of the game, the podcast game, coaching during this pandemic and much more.

Always enjoy having friend of the podcast Rob Dinerman on to talk squash. Prolific squash historian, particularly with respect to stateside varsity, pro doubles and hardball squash history, Rob discusses the latest on Brown University's varsity squash situation in the aftermath of being 1 of 11 programs cut by the university. Rob's knowledge of the varsity and hardball games are unparalleled, and it was a pleasure to hear him break down both in terms of last season and what he expects going forward. Rob also proves very insightful on how things have played out for US squash thus far during unfortunate Covid -19 circumstances.

Reigning World Open Champion Tarek Momen wasn't going to let anything stop him from hoisting the 2019 World Open Championship; not poor form, plantar fasciitis, or a 1-2 2-6 in the fourth deficit in the third round. He summoned what it took and then some, recovering from that deficit to go on to win his first World title while only dropping 1 game from the quarters on. Tarek opens up about the challenges he faced in the years, months and days leading up to that event. He also gives some candid thoughts on the covid-19 situation and his beef with recent officiating changes. Oh, and did I mention he and his wife Raneem El Welily are now in the Guinness Book of World Records?

He's a two time British National finalists, European individual winner, and the world 45plus masters twice over, and did I mention a coaching sensation? Nick Taylor provides food for thought for days on topics ranging from squash under our challenging pandemic circumstances, coaching juniors, the state of the game in North America and much more. The Nick Taylor Squash Academy opened its doors recently, and Nick gives some honest perspective on gently resuming our squash lives on court. I took the opportunity to dive into Nick's professional memories a bit, and what he came up with were two tremendous anecdotes that are further proof why Nick is at the top of the coaching game. Apologies for the occasional lag in the audio :) .

Chris has carved out a very well-rounded coaching resume to date, and last week after being name Head Squash Coach for the University of Western Ontario Mustangs, he may have landed the coaching position he's always wanted. Former member of the Mustangs several years back, Chris has since developed into one of the game's most innovative and exciting young squash instructors. He's honed his skills in such places as Moncton, New Brunswick, Saint Michaels University School in Victoria, BC and interestingly on the island of Turks and Caicos. He also founded Serious Squash which is an incredible collection of coaching videos and other insights that Chris has into the game. It was great chatting with Chris about all of the above.

In February, 1998 Peter Nicol reached world #1 supplanting legend Jansher Khan, and thereafter along with Jonathan Power, gave us one of the most memorable eras in the game's history. He went on to hold the number 1 ranking several times throughout his illustrious career,at one point for 24 successive months b/t January 2002 and December 2003, placing him firmly among the greatest to ever play the game. Peter talks about his career, the JP rivalry, snatching the #1 ranking from Jansher, SquashSkills and the New York based Peter Nicol Squash Academy. Speaking to that he gives great insight on the Covid 19 situation in terms of when and how to get back on court.

From Butt to Binnie, Rene Denis has been coach to world class squash players since the early 80s. Protege of Canada's founding father of squash coaching Tony Swift, Rene has been coaching Canadian National Teams and Jamaican National Teams for the past 30 plus years. Needless to say, Rene has been there, done that, and has so many stories to tell about his experiences, squash and life, through all of this.

139 episodes in and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone as passionate about his craft than Jesse Englebrecht. With each episode, this being his third, he's always equipped with new and innovative coaching techniques and unique outside-the- box observations about the game And, what's more, he's seemingly on a constant search for ways to enhance player development. This episode speaks to all of the above. As I said, shot out of a cannon, Jesse is a must listen.

This Super Squash Saturdays Bonus Episode with Graham Ryding is epic. We took a deep dive into Graham's squash career, his junior days, playing alongside JP for so many years, the Winterpeg squash hotbed, and of course Super Squash Saturdays with a prediction for the rubber between Diego and JP.

An illustrious squash career came to an end last week when 4x Canadian National Champion Sam Cornett announced her retirement. With 14 PSA titles, 8 Pan-Am Games medals and reaching world #23, there are few if any all-Canadian girls with that type of squash pedigree. Sam and I talk about her squash career across the board, and we want to wish all the success again in her life after pro squash.