Squash Ireland has partnered with Squash Media & Marketing (SMM) in a move that will see them represent Access Courts sales in Ireland to create greater grassroots opportunities in the country.
The partnership follows a global push to increase the number of courts available to the squash community in an effort to continue the growth of the sport in the build-up to the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic Games.
It comes off the back of similar partnerships with US Squash, Squash Australia, Squash New Zealand Poipātū Aotearoa and JPSquash in South Africa.
Access Courts has developed a new generation of modular squash courts designed to remove traditional barriers of cost and infrastructure. Squash Ireland will look to introduce Access Courts into traditional squash clubs, multi-sport facilities and other locations in order to increase access to squash and facilitate growth at the grassroots level.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Access Courts and SMM to bring Access Courts’ innovative court solutions to Ireland,” said Scott Graham, the Squash Ireland chief executive.
“Access Courts offers cost-effective modular indoor and outdoor courts that have received excellent reviews and are ideal for a wide range of locations.
“I am particularly excited about the outdoor courts, which feature a rubber floor suitable for all-weather conditions. Outdoor squash brings a new dimension to the sport, increasing visibility and creating opportunities to play and socialise in a new environment.
“For clubs short on indoor space, Access Courts’ outdoor squash court provides a fun alternative that complements traditional indoor squash or other racket sports.
“The timing of this announcement could not be better, as a new round of Community Sports Facility Funding is set to open for applications in early 2026, allowing affiliated clubs to apply for funding of up to 95 per cent of the cost of their capital project.”
Squash Ireland is seeking to appoint a part-time Disciplinary Officer to oversee and manage disciplinary matters across the organisation. This flexible role is key to promoting a culture of respect, safety, and integrity within Irish squash.
The successful candidate will manage disciplinary cases, support disciplinary panels, and help ensure fair and consistent application of Squash Ireland’s policies and Code of Conduct. The role requires experience handling sensitive matters, strong communication skills, and a solid understanding of fair procedures. This is a flexible, part-time position with remote working available.
Full details of the role, including responsibilities and how to apply, can be found below
Closing date for applications: 4 January 2026
Squash Ireland president Rosie Barry was a speaker at this week’s Sport For Business Women in Sport Conference at Tallaght Stadium.
A selection on the AIG-supported 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport list for 2025, Barry was part of the panel that discussed why fresh thinking and diverse leadership continue to reshape the Irish sporting landscape.
Joining Barry were Julie Nicholson, the chair of the Irish Association of Powerchair Football, and Bethany Carson, Women in Sport Lead at Sport Ireland, Rob Hartnett of Sport For Business chaired a conversation with these leaders whose impact on their sport includes participation, inclusion and national-level strategy.
Below is the article published on Sport For Business titled ‘Squash Ireland’s Rebuild – and Rise’
Rosie Barry spoke about Squash Ireland’s resurgence and the momentum generated by Olympic inclusion in 2028, but she emphasised that none of it is achievable without the full ecosystem aligned behind change.
“Influence isn’t about hierarchy. It’s about momentum, and momentum comes from people buying into the journey.”
Barry explained how stakeholder engagement has become a cornerstone of squash’s development – from clubs and coaches to volunteers, parents, facility partners and newly emerging communities of players. By broadening the circle, she said, the organisation has been able to modernise its approach, strengthen governance, and build genuine trust.
“We realised early on that if plans were going to work, they couldn’t happen to the sport – they had to happen with the sport. When stakeholders feel heard, they become invested, and when they become invested, they drive the change as much as we do.”
She spoke about this being especially important for women and girls, who often experience squash differently depending on club culture, tradition or environment. Engaging those voices directly has been central to designing programmes that feel authentic, not imposed.
With Olympic visibility now within reach, she affirmed that stakeholder alignment will be the engine that converts interest into sustainable participation.
With less than a week left before the December 15th Volunteers in Sport Awards 2025 entry deadline, Squash Ireland would like to thank all clubs that have already nominated one or more outstanding volunteers from their ranks.
Dave Broderick, the Squash Ireland club and community development officer, said: “The nomination process is open for another few days but will close on December 15th and a full guide to the nominations process and the recognition categories can be found HERE.
“Squash Ireland can help if a club is feeling unsure about how to approach it. Reach out to us and we will help you create the story.”
The Federation of Irish Sport 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards are bringing together volunteers from all 32 counties to celebrate their commitment to fostering participation and ensuring that sport is accessible to all.
Over 460,000 volunteers work each week tirelessly to bring sport and physical activity to life for people of all ages.
This year’s awards have placed a renewed focus on celebrating volunteers, clubs and community by supporting them with a €200 donation awarded to the affiliated club or sporting organisation of every county-level award winner.
After nominations close on December 15th, the awards celebration will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin’s Blanchardstown on February 26th.
Squash Ireland’s international teams will wear Adidas thanks to a new partnership with McKvr, the Irish sportswear wholesaler.
McKvr is the official kit supplier for Team Ireland, most recently providing a range of Adidas and McKeever kit for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. They were also recently announced as the official supplier to Team Ireland for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Players representing Ireland at World and European levels will receive a full range of technical performance clothing, leisurewear and essential travel accessories.
As part of the agreement, Squash Ireland and McKvr are also extending support to the grassroots of the game. Affiliated clubs nationwide will be eligible for a €250 credit to use through the McKvr online shop once €2,500 of kit has been purchased.
Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham said: “We are delighted to partner with McKvr and Adidas to ensure our international players have access to world-class performance kit. Competing at the highest level requires not only talent and dedication but also the right support, and this partnership delivers just that.
“Equally important is our commitment to clubs across Ireland. By working with McKvr to provide €250 in credit to every affiliated club, we are ensuring that the benefits of this partnership are felt at every level of the sport – from grassroots to elite.
“The ease and accessibility of the online club shop provided by McKvr will reduce the administrative burden for club volunteers and ensure members look the part while playing and socialising.”
Squash Ireland has expressed its condolences following the death of Michael Bradley, the well-known player and coach from Cork.
CEO Scott Graham said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Michael Bradley of Sunday’s Well Boating and Tennis Club squash section, who tragically passed away.
“Michael was a passionate squash player and coach who represented Munster at various levels. He started as a junior in Christy’s Squash Club, Blarney, went on to Orchard Squash Club and most recently played with Sunday’s Well.
“Michael was very involved with Cork and Munster squash for many years and was the winner of this year’s Men’s C section at the Munster Senior Open. Michael was a true gentleman and will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.”
Michael will be lying in repose at Crowley’s Funeral Home in Ballincollig on Friday, December 6th, from 6pm, with Requiem Mass to follow on Saturday at 12pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Blarney.
Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham has expressed his delight that Belfast has been named a European City of Sport for 2026 following a two-day visit to the city in November by the Worldwide Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation (ACES) judging panel.
The decision by ACES to recognise Belfast alongside 20 other cities was reached after panel members met with the bid leaders, Belfast City Council, its leisure partners GLL and community sports organisations to look at how investment into sport and physical activity over the last decade is transforming health and wellbeing outcomes for residents.
Each year, ACES recognises capitals, cities, towns and regions worldwide celebrating sport through infrastructure, events and support for clubs and the awarding of the prestigious accolade to Belfast is the second time Northern Ireland has been awarded the European City of Sport title after Lisburn in 2013.
Graham said: “Squash Ireland was delighted to support Belfast City Council’s bid to become a European City of Sport 2026. The award provides an opportunity to raise the profile of squash and allows Squash Ireland and Squash Ulster to deepen our partnership with Belfast City Council.
“Thanks to the work of our club and community development officers, Niall Jackman and Will Nicholson, the commitment of the Squash Ulster committee and the enthusiasm of coaches and volunteers across Northern Ireland, the sport has seen a resurgence in recent years.
“To continue the positive momentum, we are already working on several exciting initiatives aimed at increasing the awareness and visibility of squash and, importantly, encouraging people of all ages and from all backgrounds to pick up a racket and enjoy the sport.”
Councillor Tracy Kelly, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, added: “This is a great achievement for Belfast and an endorsement of all the work that goes into supporting sport here – from the players, volunteers and coaches to the event organisers, fans and funders.
“Sport is a thread that runs through all communities and becoming a European City of Sport provides a unique opportunity to showcase the breadth of physical activity opportunities we have.”
During their visit to Belfast, the ACES panel heard how the council has invested £105million into six state-of-the-art leisure centres since 2015, while eight other centres have become community hubs, providing vital services to help communities stay fit and active.
Belfast’s bid outlined how new programmes, upgraded facilities, collaborations with sport governing bodies and the free 12-week Healthwise scheme for those recovering from ill health have all contributed to a significant increase in sports participation in the city – in the 2023/24 Continuous Household Survey, 50 per cent of adults reported taking part in sport in the last week, up from 43 per cent in 2022/23.
Michelle Vorel-Adams, the ACES UK and Ireland president, said: “We are delighted to be awarding the City of Belfast to become European City of Sport 2026. There is a clear strategy and commitment to investing and developing sport in the community for the next few years.
“It is an exceptional example of a city providing an array of high-quality sports facilities and services coupled with strong partnerships. A perfect combination to be an ACES award winner. We wish Belfast good luck for 2026 and look forward to visiting the city again.”
Residents will be able to get involved in Belfast’s European City of Sport 2026 celebrations through try-it activities in leisure and community venues, coach and volunteer development opportunities and a range of special events, with full programme details to be announced in January 2026.
Calling all schools in Ireland… Squash Ireland is relaunching its schools-level tournaments across five separate age-grades in 2026.
Catering for three-player teams in all four provinces, the tournaments will see boys and girls compete at U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 in January and February.
The ambition is to re-establish squash in schools so that not only do club players have an extra outlet to play, but players currently not involved in the sport have an opportunity to take part.
Interested schools should contact Paul Nugent, Squash Ireland’s chief operating officer, at [email protected]
Squash Ireland has reiterated its call for clubs from around the country to nominate members for the Federation of Irish Sport 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards. Entries close on December 15th, with an awards ceremony to follow in Dublin in February.
Dave Broderick, the Squash Ireland club and community development officer, said: “At this time of the year, the sporting community in Ireland pauses to recognise our fantastic volunteer base without whom our many and varied sports simply would not work.
“As a squash community, the Federation of Irish Sport 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards is our chance to turn to our own volunteers and say, ‘Thank you. Tremendous job this year!’
“We invite all clubs and provincial associations to participate. As a smaller sport, this is a big opportunity for squash to highlight itself positively and for volunteers in our sport to be thanked for their tireless and selfless work promoting and delivering squash activity day-to-day, week-to-week, year in and year out.
“Our sport has its heroes – and we’d like you to tell us who they are. Category winners will be invited to the awards reception in February and all clubs that nominate a volunteer will be entered into a draw for a €250 voucher as a way of saying thank you for supporting this initiative.”
Squash Ireland is calling on clubs to nominate their best volunteers for the 2025 Volunteers In Sport Awards, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport.
It’s believed that 460,000 volunteers are involved in all sport across the island of Ireland, with a fair chunk assisting the participation, growth and promotion of squash.
Nominations are now open until December 15th for the latest annual volunteer awards, with a celebration function to follow in Dublin on February 26th. The hope is that squash will feature strongly on the day.
A Federation of Irish Sport statement read: “The 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards will bring together individuals from all 32 counties to celebrate their commitment to fostering participation and ensuring that sport is accessible to all.
“Their contributions not only inspire communities but also enable clubs and organisations to thrive, supporting social cohesion and well-being across Ireland. Without their dedication, many sporting opportunities simply would not exist.
“A new addition to the 2025 awards is the launch of a brand-new award – the Club/Community Sport Organisation award.
“This award recognises a volunteer-led sports club, community organisation, or group that has made an outstanding contribution to promoting sport, physical activity, and community well-being. It celebrates excellence in inclusion, participation, leadership, and positive impact through sport.
“In every corner of the country, from city centres and suburbs to rural villages, over 460,000 volunteers work tirelessly each week to bring sport and physical activity to life for people of all ages.
“Over 250,000 coaches volunteer one million hours a week to Irish Sport. The impact of their work is profound, providing multi-generational opportunities to engage in sport, build communities, and promote healthy lifestyles. The economic value of their contribution is estimated to be worth €1.5bn to the Irish economy.
“There are also two closed categories of Outstanding Achievement award and the addition of a Lifetime Achievement award. These prestigious awards are not open for public nomination.
“Recipients are selected by the judging panel from entries received from the county volunteers, based on outstanding merit, impact, or long-term contribution.”
Mary O’Connor, the FIS CEO, said: “The goodwill and work of volunteers cannot be taken for granted.
“These awards are our chance to say thank you and, in acknowledging the incredible efforts volunteers make, ensure that we continue to encourage more people to get involved and safeguard the future of sport in the country.”
