John Small's Background: John Small was born and educated in Sydney. He joined the Army as a National Serviceman in 1968 and worked his way up to the rank of Lieutenant. In 1971, John transitioned to become a Director in the Department of Defence, where he dedicated 33 years of his career. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in developing defence industry products and capabilities, managing large-scale projects and programs. In 2001, John assumed the role of Executive Officer at the Australian Industry and Defence Network. Under his leadership, the organization experienced significant growth, expanding from just three members in 2001 to over 150 members today. In recognition of his contributions to business and commerce, particularly in the professional defence sectors, John was honoured with the Medal of Order of Australia (OAM) in 2010. Additionally, John served as the Squash Australia National Referee Director-Manager from 2002 to 2018, where his notable accomplishments included enhancing referee training programs for both Squash Australia and the World Squash Federation.

John's Role in Squash NSW: In 2018, John joined the board of Squash NSW as a Director and later became the President, a position he was re-elected to on November 13th. His primary focus has been to provide support to member clubs in NSW, with the aim of increasing participation among juniors and adults, improving pathways for junior athletes to reach their full potential in the sport, boosting female participation, and elevating the quality of existing Squash centres while establishing new ones.

Topics in John's Presentation:

1. The Future of Squash in NSW

2. LA 28: Squash in the Olympics

3. The Australian Open at Martin Place

4. Rev Sport: Sharing Refereeing Tips and Anecdotes

5. Audience Questions and Discussion

Condolences: Firstly, I'd like to extend my condolences for the loss of Peta Murphy, the federal member for Dunkley in Victoria, who passed away at the age of 50 today. Peta was not only known for her achievements in the Labor Party and her career as an SA Barrister but was also a dedicated Squash player. She achieved gold at the World Masters Games in the 35-plus category, served as the Vice President of Squash Australia, and held the position of President at Squash and Racquetball Victoria. She was a remarkable individual, and her passing is truly saddening.

John Small's Update on Squash and Sports in Australia: Moving on to more positive news, the inclusion of Squash in the LA Olympics will undoubtedly provide our sport with greater exposure in Australia. This exposure will also translate into increased funding for high-performance Squash, which, hopefully, will benefit our juniors. In LA, the competition format will consist of 32 draws for men's and women's singles. While we may not have numerous Australian players in the top 32 due to the strong Egyptian presence, we will undoubtedly have representatives. Currently, our highest-ranked player is Jessica Turnbull at 62, and we eagerly anticipate new talent emerging to compete on the international stage. Moreover, it's worth noting that at least two Australians will participate in LA, but they will serve as referees.

Sports Commission's "Play Well" Strategy: Shifting our focus from LA to sports in Australia, I'd like to highlight the recent introduction of the Sports Commission's new strategy, "Play Well." This strategy emphasizes lifelong involvement in sports for all Australians and includes significant funding. We are hopeful that Squash Australia will secure a portion of this funding, which, in turn, will support our endeavours.

Improvements in Squash NSW: Looking specifically at the developments within Squash NSW, we received promising news from the NSW Government's Office of Sport. The Labor Opposition, in Election Mode, pledged to double sports funding in NSW. This marks a significant change since the 2000 Olympics, during which Squash NSW received $55,000. Last year, we still received the same amount. This year, we are optimistic about receiving $100,000, but we are prepared for increased compliance requirements. To secure this funding, we have initiated a Participation Improvement Project aimed at enhancing every aspect of participation. Consequently, we are in the process of hiring staff to effectively utilize this increased budget. Furthermore, we are currently searching for a new CEO.

Enhancing Women's Participation and Pennant Squash: As we move forward, it's imperative that we witness substantial growth in participation to maintain our funding levels. To achieve this, I anticipate meeting with the Office of Sport before Christmas to emphasize the significance of Squash in NSW and its enduring legacy. Additionally, we welcome three new board members who bring fresh enthusiasm and ideas to the table. As previously mentioned, we are actively recruiting new staff to drive our Participation Improvement Project.

Enhancing Aspects of Participation: Two of the key priorities emphasized by the Office of Sport at the moment revolve around the development of a comprehensive "Whole of Sport, Women and Girls Participation Strategy." This strategy will play a significant role in our participation initiatives. Currently, women's participation in Squash stands at 20%, indicating ample room for growth. We recognize the potential for substantial improvements by conveying the right messages to women and girls interested in the sport. Additionally, we plan to target various communities across the state and Sydney, especially those where some individuals might be hesitant to engage in contact sports like football due to concerns about injuries. Our efforts in enhancing participation will extend to Pennant Squash.

While we have yet to finalize our plans for Pennant Squash improvement, it's worth noting that a recent survey overwhelmingly favoured a return to two Pennants instead of the three tried this year. This preference was almost unanimous, except for North, which favoured retaining three. Considering this response, our current inclination is to follow this consensus—maintaining three Pennants in North and reverting to two elsewhere. Given this clear feedback, it appears to be a straightforward decision to make.

Upcoming Australian Open in March 2024: We have an exciting opportunity on the horizon with the Australian Open taking place in March at Martin Place. Although the lineup is yet to be confirmed, we anticipate witnessing the highest-level Squash competition in Australia since 2011. While it may not match the calibre of the previous event featuring the top ten players in Australia and the world, we can still expect some exceptional Squash matches. If anyone had the chance to attend last year's Australian Open at Sydney Uni and had any doubts about the appeal of Squash, I believe this upcoming event will change their perspective.

Enhancing School Participation and Squash Stars Program: I apologize for the lengthy response earlier. Do we have any shorter questions? If not, please feel free to ask further questions. Regarding the Squash Stars Program, I haven't received any specific information on it lately. However, I can help you find contacts or gather more details if you have a particular query.

RevSport and Squash Pennant: Regarding the use of RevSport for Squash Pennant, my current understanding is that RevSport does not yet include a Pennant competition module. As such, we plan to continue using the existing system for the time being. While Squash Australia has indicated a transition to RevSport, I remain cautious because we cannot afford any disruptions to Pennant. Sporting HQ has taken time to adapt to, and some members still struggle with it. I believe it's essential to ensure both systems work seamlessly together before implementing any changes. I hope this clarifies the situation.

Increasing Exposure and Engagement: Increasing exposure to Squash and engaging with schools is indeed crucial. We're running junior programs, particularly in Thornleigh, and are open to expanding them. Additionally, we aim to collaborate with local schools and equip our centres to approach schools effectively. While our centres may not have dedicated sales teams, we acknowledge the need to improve engagement with schools and provide our clubs with the resources and knowledge necessary to make these connections. There's much work to be done, and we're actively addressing these concerns.

Raising Awareness: Entering a new sports store recently, I made a beeline for the Squash racquets section, hoping to see what was available. To my surprise, there wasn't a single Squash racquet in sight. So, I inquired about it and asked, "Where's the Squash range?" It struck me then that this underscores how far Squash has slipped from the public consciousness. However, in NSW, we're determined to change this narrative. It's an imperative.

Challenges in Participation: Currently, on the Western side, there are only three clubs involved in the Pennant. Not too long ago, around 10 to 15 years ago, we had around 16 to 20 clubs participating. Some may wonder if there's potential to merge with the Southeast or North districts, which seem to have a successful two-Pennant competition. Playing within the same group might not provide the diversity and excitement that Squash is all about. The essence of the sport is competing against different opponents, not just those within one's immediate vicinity. We haven't contemplated such mergers or strategies involving bribes, but I'm open to ideas. I've been actively engaged in Pennant Squash in the North for over 50 years, including state championships. We're willing to explore various possibilities to enhance our sport, as we must do better.

Member Engagement and Expansion: The question arises about merging districts or perhaps rezoning them to create larger regions that are geographically closer. I maintain an open mind about new ideas and am committed to what works best for everyone. We won't adhere to rigid rules and will prioritize the preferences of the majority. If it means different approaches in different areas, we'll adapt. It's certainly a fresh perspective on how to structure the Sydney region.

Focus on Junior Participation: The Australian Sports Commission conducts ongoing surveys on sports participation, and the latest results indicate 168,000 people involved in sports across Australia. However, finding them all might be a challenge. Surprisingly, 40% claim to play once a week. NSW accounts for 33.7% of these participants. Nevertheless, we are currently only reaching a few thousand of them. We're talking about 55,000 Squash players in NSW.

Looking at age profiles, only 7,000 juniors are engaged in Squash, ranging from 0 to 14 years, as opposed to 0 to 19. This is an area that demands attention, and I see it as a collective effort, starting from Squash Australia down. We must address junior participation, establish clear pathways, and work toward regaining our past standing in world rankings. We're currently running a junior pathways program that has seen a quadrupling of participants in the last three years, growing from 75 to 300 kids. However, I envision a program that involves 3,000 kids in NSW and 10,000 nationwide. This is a long-term endeavour that we must undertake to elevate the sport.

A trivia question: Who holds the record for winning the most world team titles in both men's and women's Squash? Any guesses? England for men and Australia for women, you say? Correct! Australia has indeed clinched both titles. I had the privilege of witnessing their last victory in the men's category in Melbourne in 2001 and in the women's category in New Zealand in 2014.

International Competition and Challenges: We are now faced with the prospect of being overtaken by Egypt and possibly England. Egypt has been making significant strides and could very well win the men's title. Squash in Egypt is widespread, with courts even in hotels. Their kids have access to role models, and Squash provides a pathway to scholarships in the United States, something we haven't fully capitalized on. While we've had a couple of NSW players head to U.S. colleges recently, we have much room for growth in this area.

Top of Form

Member Preferences and Travel Considerations: There's a question regarding who's willing to travel to other locations for Squash matches, and more hands went up than anticipated. To provide clarity, it's crucial to determine precisely where these travel destinations would be. As of now, I can't pinpoint specific locations because it largely depends on what the players want. However, I acknowledge the need to conduct an analysis to identify where most players are currently based. This information is essential as it aids players in making informed decisions about participation. Understanding the geographical aspects of travel can be a determining factor for many individuals when it comes to Squash.

Teamwork: Being part of a team is valuable in Squash. Teamwork fosters camaraderie and helps everyone achieve their goals more effectively. It's always good to have a night out with fellow Squash enthusiasts, even if it means enduring the occasional cold weather. Squash players often become like a close-knit family, and it's heartwarming to know there's a support system in place, especially during challenging times.

Sports Development: In terms of Squash Australia, there's ongoing development and expansion. While we don't have an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) like we used to, there are still programs to support high-performance Squash athletes. The focus is on preparation for the upcoming Olympics in Paris 2024. The national squads currently train at Carrara, and they benefit from the guidance of experienced coaches like Stewart Boswell and Jenny Duncalf. Additionally, there are efforts to tap into overseas talent to elevate Australian Squash.

Squash Australia's Staff: Squash Australia currently employs about 10 staff members, and their roles encompass various aspects of the sport. There is a marketing department, and while marketing efforts are underway, more emphasis is needed in this area. It's crucial to raise awareness about Squash and its benefits. Additionally, they have a sport development section responsible for initiatives like the Squash Stars program, coaching, and refereeing training. Facilities and facility development are also a part of their focus, where they work closely with local councils to promote the sport. However, precise participation rates at the local government level remain unavailable.

RevSPORT Membership: RevSPORT is an essential platform, and it's encouraged for individuals, including life members, to register. Even life members can register, and they may receive a digital membership with no affiliation fees. It's a way to bring more members into the fold and increase the sport's presence.

Participation Rates and Projections: Calculating participation rates is challenging, but with the introduction of Rev Sport and an increase in registrations, we hope to have a clearer picture in the future. The goal is to keep growing and expanding the sport's reach, especially among women and girls who are currently underrepresented.

Closing Remarks and Appreciation: In closing, the Squash community's dedication and enthusiasm are heartening. The willingness to come together and work toward the growth of the sport is truly appreciated. Collaboration among members and dedication to the sport's development are key to its success. Your presence here tonight is a testament to our shared commitment to Squash, and I thank you for your time and engagement.

Acknowledgment: A small gift of appreciation was extended as a token of gratitude and presented to John Small by Life member and Vice-Captain Wendy Fox.