Squash moving forward.. part 1
I’ve been around squash as a sport for a long time & a lot has changed over the years but then again a lot hasn’t. What can the sport do to move forward over the next 5 years? I’d love to know what the professional players think – here’s a start from a spectator’s point of view:
+ a dedicated PSA (Professional Squash Association) PR team that understands the sport & promotes it
+ impartial & objective journalism & commentary
+ engage the next generation of youngsters
+ improve the spectator’s experience at tournaments
Now I may need to expand on a few of these points, but I’ll start with the atmosphere as this is key to the whole squash experience: Improve it & the sport will flourish as it’ll transfer favourably to TV viewing too.
Back when I started watching, small clubs allowed you to get very close to the action..you need to be close to see the subtle nuances, the flicks of the wrist, the knicks & insane pick-ups. You need to feel like you are a part of the game, experience the adrenalin & physicality of the sport. The noise plays an important role too; the sound of a ball being hit on a court is pretty unique. Spectator noise adds to the experience & encourages the players. I’ve been to too many tournaments recently where people are sitting too far away from the court & it hasn’t been noisy enough. Refs need to sit closer to the court, their voices amplified over the crowd onto the court. The noises on the court need to be amplified into the crowd in return..
the PSA need greater attention to detail. Small changes can make all the difference..
