The 2025 Club Survey provided a positive picture of Irish squash, with 58 affiliated clubs responding from across the island of Ireland, writes Tiernan Harris, the Squash Ireland administrator, in the 2025/26 annual report.
The findings showed a sport with strong underlying demand, growing female engagement, improving club structures and clear ambition around junior development, coaching and facilities.
Affiliated membership conversion
While detailed affiliated membership growth is reported separately, the survey highlights an important trend that clubs are converting a greater proportion of their players into Squash Ireland members. The 2025 survey shows a 66.67% conversion rate from club players to Squash Ireland-affiliated members, representing a slight increase from last year.
This is an important marker of progress, showing that the connection between local club activity and the national squash community is strengthening. It also supports better visibility, governance, insurance, competition pathways and long-term development planning.
Club demand and capacity
Demand for squash remains clear, with 12 clubs now reporting that they are at capacity, compared with three last year. This creates challenges around court access and scheduling, but it is also a strong indicator of the sport’s growing appeal. The focus for Squash Ireland is to help clubs respond to this demand through facility planning, funding guidance, participation pathways and support for sustainable growth.
Governance and leadership
There has been notable progress in club development and governance. At the time of the survey, 50 clubs reported having established committees, while 42 had written constitutions. Since then, Squash Ireland has made both requirements mandatory for affiliation, meaning that 100% of affiliated clubs now have an established committee and written constitution in place.
This represents an important step forward in strengthening transparency, accountability and long-term sustainability across the club network. Core roles such as chairperson, secretary and treasurer are widely filled, and many clubs are expanding responsibilities to include safeguarding, communications, development and Women in Sport leadership. Volunteer capacity remains a challenge for some clubs, but the overall trend is towards stronger and more sustainable club structures.
Junior development
Junior development remains a major priority. Thirty clubs currently run junior sections, and 53% of clubs without a junior section intend to start one. This demonstrates a strong appetite to grow the game among young players. However, clubs continue to need support with coaching availability, programme structure, equipment, safeguarding guidance and school links.
Squash Ireland will continue to support this through junior frameworks, schools engagement, camps, girls’ programmes and resources for clubs starting or expanding junior activity.
Coaching capacity
Coaching remains central to future growth. Forty clubs reported having a qualified coach, and 37.5% have four or more internal coaches. This is a positive base, but provision varies significantly, with many clubs still seeking greater access to coaching support.
Clubs identified funding, coach availability, court access and beginner-focused support as key needs. Squash Ireland’s continued investment in coach education, regional coaching development and volunteer support will be important in addressing these gaps.
Inclusion and Women in Sport
One of the strongest areas of progress is inclusion. More than half of clubs, 52.5%, now actively promote inclusivity, up from 40% last year. Women in Sport programmes have grown significantly, from 28% of clubs in 2024 to 60.7% in 2025.
Clubs are delivering women’s sessions, girls’ coaching, social squash, structured coaching and competitive opportunities, while also beginning to increase female representation in coaching and leadership. Squash Ireland will continue to build on this momentum through Women in Sport initiatives, inclusive coaching resources, leadership development and shared best practice.
Facilities and infrastructure
Facilities are another clear area of ambition. Thirty-seven clubs plan to carry out maintenance works in the next 12 months, with many also considering larger upgrades such as court refurbishment, improved lighting, heating, changing rooms, glass backs and new court development.
These plans show that clubs are actively investing in the future of the sport. Squash Ireland will continue to support clubs through funding guidance, facility planning, advocacy and infrastructure support.
Conclusion and direction
The survey confirms that Squash Ireland’s strategic priorities are closely aligned with club needs. Clubs want to strengthen coaching, develop juniors, increase female participation, improve facilities, grow affiliated membership and raise the visibility of squash locally and nationally.
Overall, the 2025 Club Survey shows a sport with strong foundations, growing ambition and clear opportunities. The challenges identified are the natural pressures of a sport with increasing demand. With continued support in coaching, junior development, Women in Sport, inclusion, communications and facilities, squash in Ireland is well-positioned for sustainable and inclusive growth.
