Scottish Squash held its Annual General Meeting last month, with Chief Executive Paul Macari presenting a 2025/26 Annual Report that highlighted financial stability, settled leadership and continued progress across the sport.

DEVELOPMENT

A revised Development strategy has built stronger relationships with local authorities and Active Schools supporting 205 pupils to achieve their Squash Leaders Award. New programmes including Girls Play Squash, H//T Squash and a Women and Girls Coaching Network were launched to widen participation in the sport. The coaching workforce also grew significantly, with 50 new Level 1 coaches qualifying and 18 progressing to Level 2, bringing the total number of licensed coaches to 137.

A new coaching pathway and the “Elevate” programme for aspiring young coaches were introduced, alongside continued progress from the referees’ working group, which appointed four new referees to national tournaments. On the competitions front, total tournaments run rose by around 9%, with five clubs hosting a tournament for the first time since pre-COVID. The new Scottish Cup format saw entries more than double than the previous year’s National league, and RASTA racketball entries doubled for the second season running.

SUCCESS

Across Europe there were standout individual performances including Finlay Scott’s gold medal at the Island Games, a home winner in Murdo McKenzie at the Scottish Junior Open and further junior success in the Irish Open for Murdo McKenzie and Thomas Myers. Our full time athletes secured 12 PSA titles, including a first Satellite title for John Mehan and a first Tour Title win for Georgia Adderley.

Pauline Douglas secured another fantastic age group European Masters title whilst at the British Open Masters, there were wins for Donna Cruickshank and Adrian Richmond. Our senior women’s team finished 4th at the Europeans, whilst the senior men’s team secured an important 8th place to remain in Division 1. At the Masters Home Internationals, there was success for our WO55, WO60 and MO70 teams, all winning their respective age group titles.

GOVERNANCE

The AGM also reported that the organisation is in a stable financial position, with income up approximately 5% and an underlying surplus of £7k for the year. Scottish Squash’s cash balance grew despite repaying its long-term loan in full, leaving the organisation debt-free and stronger in cash terms than the previous year, providing a solid platform for future investment. The organisation also continues to demonstrate sound governance, with a full board representing all six regions and five active working groups driving progress across the sport. Work continues through sportscotland’s Moving to Inclusion framework, supported by a focused EDI action plan, and Scottish Squash has remained 100% compliant with the Children 1st Standards for Sport.

WHAT’S NEXT…

Looking ahead, members heard about a range of new funding opportunities from sportscotland, including the newly announced “Wee Smashers” to support over 40 clubs with a new junior coaching programme, a club support programme set to benefit an initial 17 clubs, and additional junior pathway funding to provide identified pathway juniors with additional support from their coach to enhance their holistic development opportunities.

Further innovation investment is planned in technology for 2027 with a modernised digital platform and App for the sport and a first Club and Coach conference is scheduled in January.

With the organisation due to launch a new strategy for the sport in April 2027,  a consultation process has commenced and over the coming months it is hoped that many members of the squash community will engage in a range of surveys and Town Hall meetings to give their thoughts on the future for our sport.

Commenting on the past year, SSL President Hakim Din said “This has been a really encouraging and strong year for Scottish Squash overall, from the growth we are seeing in coaching and participation at club level right through to strong performances on the international stage.

“Just as importantly, we’re in a stable financial position with the organisation now debt-free, giving us a solid foundation to invest in an exciting future. As we begin consultation on our next long-term strategy, I would encourage everyone in our squash community to get involved and help shape where the sport goes next.”