Victorian Women In Squash – Reunite 2026
Our vision is simple but powerful: to reignite women’s squash in Victoria by creating visibility, structure, and recognition for every woman who has ever picked up a racquet.
every woman’s presence matters, whether they step on court or simply show up to support.
Reconnect past and present players
so they can see a future in the sport beyond professional ranks, staying fit, connected, and inspired to represent Australia in their age grades — even into Masters squash
Create a pathway for juniors
through personal profiles and visuals, showing that squash isn’t only about trophies, but about lifelong passion and community.
Give visibility to every woman’s story
by uniting metro and regional clubs in a shared women-first initiative — culminating in the historic statewide event: Victorian Women in Squash – Reunite 2026.
The Format – Step By Step
Reunite 2026
is built as a journey, not a one-off event. Each stage creates visibility, builds momentum, and strengthens
community ties.
Each participating club (Metro and Regional) will host an in-house age-graded women’s event. The goal: map out every woman and girl in the club, and invite all — current, past, and casual players. Participation matters more than wins.
Club Tournaments – “Any Given Sunday”
All six metro clubs come together for a collective event, building competition and friendships across the city. Target: 50 – 80 participants altogether.
Four regional clubs unite to showcase the talent and passion outside Melbourne. Target: 40 – 60 participants altogether.
A landmark event in March 2026. All juniors, seniors, referees, administrators, and competitors will be women. The largest women-only squash gathering in Australia — our benchmark and our message to the nation.
Statewide Women’s Tournament – Reunite 2026
Instead of ability-based draws, the tournaments will be age-graded to maximise fairness and inclusivity. Champions seeking stronger competition can always join the Women’s Open, while the age-based draws allow every woman to participate meaningfully.
Fairness & Belonging: Age grading ensures everyone plays in a familiar, welcoming environment and maybe
we reignite some old junior matchups after decades.
Inclusivity: A 40-year-old returning mum may not want to face a teenage state champion, but she
will happily compete with her peers.
Retention: Juniors, seniors, and social players each get meaningful opportunities to play and
connect.
Pathways for Excellence: Champions who want stronger competition can always enter the
Women’s Open, ensuring they remain challenged while others can still enjoy the game.
10–15 years (Juniors)
15–20 years (Juniors)
20–29 years
30–39 years
40–49 years
50–59
years
60+ years
Women’s Open
From all of us at Squash Connect, our vision for 2026 is clear: to change the story of women’s squash.
In
2026, we will focus on one state — Victoria — and together, take the first step towards rebuilding a
strong, thriving women’s squash community. By creating opportunities across all levels and ages, we aim to
prove that a connected women’s circuit can rise again. If we can prove the model here in Victoria, it
becomes a pathway the rest of Australia can follow.
Our target is to engage 200 women and girls on court in Victoria by March 26 is more than a number. It is
a statement: that women’s squash
can return to strength, unity, and inspiration. We believe that when more women play, their children will
follow — carrying forward squash’s proud tradition of families and generations bound together by the
game.
We now invite every squash player — men, women, juniors, and master’s alike — to stand with us in
reviving women’s squash in Australia.
Your presence, your participation, and your encouragement are what will make this possible. Only by
standing united can we ensure women’s squash returns to its rightful place in Australia’s sporting
story
This is not about today. It is about tomorrow.
The daughter destined to carry the Australian flag as World Champion may not yet be born — but as a
community, we can prepare the way.
When her moment arrives, she will rise higher, go further, and move faster — because together, we built
the path.
At Squash Connect we believe that with your support, we can bring back the glorious days of
women’s squash — one player, one club, one state at a time.
Squash Connect Vision For The Future
Squash Connect - Connecting the squash community
One match at a time
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Participant Benefits From Squash Connect
Personalized Squash Connect Profile (active through Dec 2026) for every single woman and girl
participant irrespective of player, admin, volunteer or just showing support. If you are there for
squash , you are part of this reunion and you will be celebrated.
Recognition in the 200+ Women Campaign
AT CLUB, METRO & REGIONAL EVENTS
A personalised memento tournament poster — your own tribute piece with images of yourself and teammates and a short personal write-up of the tournament. This is designed as a keepsake and a celebration of every woman’s role in bringing women’s squash back to life in Victoria.
AT THE STATEWIDE TOURNAMENT (REUNITE 2026)
Club circuit numbers are steadily falling, with fewer women entering and staying active in the game.
Serious female players lack a clear pathway to progress beyond a certain grade in current leagues. With no dedicated women’s-only circuit at higher levels, they are consistently placed in mixed opens, limiting their growth and recognition.
Regional women are invisible in current competition structures expect for VMSA. There is a big disconnect between the metro and regional community. This is really hurting squash in Victoria.
Mothers and working women cannot commit to long pennant formats, but they will attend short, local events if invited.
Without change, Victoria risks losing its women’s squash identity entirely.
Reunite 2026 is about creating an environment where women’s squash can thrive again — by reconnecting past players, supporting current juniors, and making every woman feel valued.
We invite
Westerfolds
Squash to lead by hosting the first in-club women’s event. As one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs
in Victoria, and with the many initiatives you have already taken towards strengthening squash at the
grassroots — from sponsorships to training programs to girl-only leagues — this would be a powerful way to
kickstart all the programs for 2026.
Your club can set the stage for a statewide revival — showing how community,
visibility, and connection can rejuvenate women’s squash
Victoria: The Beating Heart Of Women’s Squash
From World Champions to Community Leaders
Victoria has been central to Australia’s golden era in women’s squash, producing legends like Vicki
Cardwell, a World Champion and British Open winner, and Sarah Fitz-Gerald, Melbourne’s five-time World
Open Champion.
The Challenges of Today
Women’s squash in Victoria faces new realities: declining club participation, limited competition
options, isolation of regional players, and under-supported juniors. Without new opportunities, many
talented women — especially those juggling life and sport — risk leaving the game.
A Legacy That Still Inspires
Generations of Victorian women have shaped squash in Australia — not just through titles, but through
leadership, mentoring, and community. Their legacy shows the sport is more than competition; it’s
connection.
Leading the Way to 2026
Victoria has long been a driving force in women’s squash. As we look to 2026 and beyond, our goal is
to reignite that legacy and lead the sport’s revival across Australia.
Australia is one of the most successful nations in the history of women’s squash. Between 1962 and 2010, Australian women dominated the World Championships, more than any other country in the sport. Victoria was central to this legacy — producing champions, inspiring juniors, and building clubs that gave women the chance to shine.
