Squash Ireland has published an updated Code of Conduct along with a suite of related policies, including the Grievance, Complaints and Disciplinary Policy; Anti-Bullying Policy; and Diversity, Equity, Anti-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy.
To lead this review, Squash Ireland engaged SOS Sports Consult, a specialist sports governance consultancy owned and operated by Sarah O’Shea. Sarah is a qualified lawyer with an International Master’s in Sports Law and Management (FIFA Master) from the International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES). Sarah has many years of experience working with a range of sports governing bodies in Ireland and internationally.
The review of the Code of Conduct and related policies aligns with the regular review cycle of Squash Ireland’s policies and procedures. It also supports Squash Ireland’s strategic objective to adhere to the highest sports governance standards and practices.
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Squash Ireland Awards 2024, celebrating the incredible contributions, achievements, and dedication within our squash community. These awards honour individuals and clubs who have made a significant impact in the squash community over the past year.
Nominations are now open for the following categories:
A special President’s Award for 2024 will also be presented on the night, chosen personally by the President of Squash Ireland to honour an individual who has made an extraordinary impact on the sport.
We invite all members to recognise the talent, dedication, and effort that make squash in Ireland so special. Whether it’s a coach who inspires greatness, a volunteer who gives selflessly, or a player whose achievements light up the court, we want to hear from you.
You can submit multiple nominations per category and across different categories.
Submit your nominations here: https://forms.gle/AQDS7SxTq1wnVRGn9
The nomination window closes on 14th February 2024. Finalists will be announced on 21st February 2024, and winners will be revealed during an awards dinner at the Masters Nationals on 1st March 2024 in Fitzwilliam. Winners will receive a stunning engraved Dublin Crystal trophy as a token of their exceptional contribution.
Join us in celebrating the people and clubs who make our great Irish squash clubs. Let’s come together to recognise their achievements and inspire the future of our sport.
Submit your nominations today and be part of this special celebration.
Squash Ireland is seeking a dedicated Safeguarding & Disciplinary Officer to oversee and enhance the organisation’s safeguarding and disciplinary policies. This part-time role (approx. equivalent to 1 day per week) involves ensuring compliance with safeguarding legislation in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, coordinating training, conducting audits, and acting as the Designated Liaison Person for safeguarding concerns. The successful candidate will also manage disciplinary cases, review policies, and promote a culture of safety and integrity within the sport.
Key Responsibilities
Key Skills and Qualifications
Essential:
Desirable:
Further Information
The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory:
How to Apply?
Applications must be sent by email with the subject line: [ATTN: Safeguarding & Disciplinary Officer]. When applying by email, please include a letter of introduction detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role and your Curriculum Vitae outlining your skills and work experience. Please send these materials no later than the 12th of February 2025, to Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham at [email protected].
Squash Ireland is an equal opportunity employer, celebrating diversity and championing inclusivity. If you require any reasonable accommodations to assist you in participating in the employee selection process, please simply let us know.
Following the appointment of a Head Coach in November 2024, Squash Ireland is further developing the high performance unit seeking to appoint a Junior Performance Coach and Junior Development Coach to oversee the junior performance programme and develop a pathway for developing world-class talent.
Squash Ireland is the National Governing Body for Squash on the island of Ireland. The organisation has experienced significant growth with the number of affiliated clubs, members, coaches, tournaments, and leagues increasing. A major restructuring has also taken place with the move to a strategically focused board of directors and growth in staffing from two to eight over the past 18 months.
The inclusion of squash in the LA 2028 Olympics has injected new energy and focused attention on developing a world-class high-performance programme to nurture talent and provide players with the necessary support to compete at European, World and Olympic level. Squash Ireland players have reached the pinnacle of the sport and there is a proud history of Irish players competing at the highest levels of the game.
The Junior Performance Coach and the Junior Development Coach positions are initially offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of an extension and expansion of the role.
When applying by email, please include a letter of introduction detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role and your Curriculum Vitae outlining your skills and work experience. Please send these materials no later than the 22nd of January 2025 to Squash Ireland at [email protected].
For more information:
🎉 Nominate now at www.volunteersinsport.ie
🌍 Volunteers from all 32 counties will be celebrated
💰 €200 donation to each county winner’s club
⏳ Entries close December 17th, 2024
The Volunteers in Sport Awards, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport in partnership with the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, honour the outstanding contributions of Ireland’s 460,000+ volunteers. These heroes dedicate their time, passion, and energy to support sports clubs—including squash—nationwide. Their efforts enable over 1.47 million sports members to stay active and engaged.
🏅 Celebrate a Squash Hero: Shine a spotlight on someone who makes a real difference to your club or community.
💸 Win €200 for Your Squash Club: Each county recipient will secure funds to support their club’s development.
đź“Ł National Recognition: Winners from all 32 counties will be honoured for their vital contributions to sport in Ireland.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of sport in Ireland, helping clubs thrive, grow participation, and create community spirit. Their collective contributions are estimated to generate €1.5 billion in economic value annually. This is your opportunity to say “thank you” and showcase their incredible impact on squash in Ireland.
🗓️ Nominations are open until December 17th, 2024.
Visit www.volunteersinsport.ie to submit your nomination today.
Let’s celebrate those who are #DedicatedToTheDedicated and give our volunteers the recognition they deserve!
THANKÂ YOU
During this time of immense sadness and sorrow, we would like to express our deepest thanks to each and every one who joined in our heartbreak over the passing of our wonderful David.
Sutton LTC has been a part of our lives for many years and both David and Stephanie have grown up amongst the wonderful members and staff who became part of our extended family. Squash, being at the core of our existence, gave us an opportunity to make lifelong friends and many many acquaintances throughout Ireland.
We have been blown away by the constant kindness, help and heartfelt messages from the community that is Sutton LTC and the entire Squash Community worldwide. We hope you know how much it means to us during this incredibly difficult time.
Thank you
Eoin, Suzanne and Stephanie
Squash Ireland and Ulster Squash are delighted to announce the appointment of Niall Jackman as part of its team of Club & Community Development Officers. This part-time role, supported by Sport Northern Ireland, will see Niall focusing on the growth and development of squash within Northern Ireland.
Niall brings a wealth of experience to Squash Ireland and will work closely with the Squash Ulster provincial association to drive growth in participation across Northern Ireland. As a former Development Officer at Queen’s University, he supported 55 student-led sports clubs and collaborated with a wide range of stakeholders to implement the university’s Strategy for Sport. Prior to that, Niall held key sports development roles with the GAA and Ulster Camogie and is a certified Coach Tutor up to Level 2. With more than a decade of sports management and coaching experience, Niall also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Psychology.
Commenting on the appointment, Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham said:
“I am delighted to welcome Niall to our growing team. Just 12 months ago, we secured funding from Sport Northern Ireland for the first time in a decade. I am pleased to report that we’ve successfully demonstrated a return on investment and positively impacted squash participation rates, allowing us to secure further support under the Sports System Investment Scheme.
“Together with Squash Ulster, we intend to build on the progress already made, enhancing our capacity to deliver a broad range of club supports, as well as participation and inclusion initiatives.”
Recently elected Squash Ulster President, Judena Leslie, added: “Ulster Squash is delighted to welcome Niall. The Ulster Squash board is committed to working with Squash Ireland to grow and support our clubs. Niall’s expertise and experience will greatly increase our capacity to do this work”
Club & Community Development Team
Squash Ireland is proud to celebrate the launch of the 2024 Volunteers in Sport Awards, a national initiative honouring the remarkable individuals whose efforts ensure that sports like squash and countless others thrive at all levels across Ireland.
Hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, the awards recognise the unsung heroes who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to support sports clubs and communities nationwide. Volunteers are the cornerstone of grassroots development, making sport accessible and inclusive for all.
This year’s awards will gather nominees from every corner of Ireland to shine a spotlight on their vital contributions to fostering participation and community spirit. The awards ceremony will take place in Dublin in February 2025, celebrating the people who make squash and other sports possible, from organising tournaments to coaching, officiating, and mentoring players of all ages and abilities.
Sarah Lavin, double Olympian hurdler and ambassador for the 2024 Awards, acknowledged the importance of volunteers:
“From grassroots to elite competition, volunteers are at the heart of every success story. Their dedication and passion enable opportunities for athletes and communities alike. I’m honoured to be part of this initiative that celebrates their invaluable work in making sport happen for everyone, including the squash community.”
Volunteers have been instrumental in the growth and success of squash in Ireland. Whether it’s organising junior development programs, maintaining facilities, or running local leagues, their commitment is essential. Across all sports, over 460,000 volunteers contribute weekly, ensuring that communities of all sizes remain active, engaged, and connected. Their collective contribution is estimated to provide an economic value of €1.5bn annually while fostering health and well-being across generations.
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, highlighted their critical role:
“The goodwill and work of volunteers cannot be taken for granted. These awards are a moment to express gratitude and inspire more individuals to get involved, safeguarding the future of sport, including squash, in Ireland.”
The awards are supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), which help to overcome barriers to participation and promote inclusivity in sport. Phelim Macken, Limerick Sports Partnership Coordinator, explained:
“The LSPs work tirelessly to bring sport and physical activity to more people, and the Volunteers in Sport Awards are a fitting tribute to those who help make this possible. Squash clubs across Ireland have benefited enormously from the dedication of their volunteers.”
Squash Ireland encourages its members to nominate the extraordinary volunteers who make a difference in their clubs and communities. Whether it’s the club manager who dedicates endless hours or the coach who inspires the next generation of players, now is the time to recognise their contributions.
Nominations are open from Tuesday, 12th November 2024, to Tuesday, 17th December 2024. To nominate a volunteer, visit www.volunteersinsport.ie.
Let’s celebrate those who champion squash and Irish sport – the volunteers #dedicatedtothededicated.
Gerry has chaired the Masters Committee since 2019, helping to increase the number of Masters players in our squash community. Under Gerry’s leadership, the Irish Masters Open has become one of the marquee tournaments on both the domestic and European Masters circuits. Siobhan developed the Masters Facebook page, which now has almost 600 followers and serves as a significant part of our Masters social media presence.
The Board has appointed John Dineen as interim Chair of the Masters Committee until the end of the season. Current Masters Committee members include John Dineen (Interim Chair), Brendan Murphy, Neal Pollock, Geoff Wales, Maureen Duke, and Kevin Knox.
The next Masters event is the Leinster Masters Open, taking place on December 6th and 7th at two venues: Fitzwilliam LTC and Leinster CC. We look forward to another exciting tournament, building on the success of last weekend’s Ulster Open in Belfast, led by Neal Pollock and his team.
Squash Ireland, formerly Irish Squash, has published the organisation’s first High- Performance Strategy for the period 2025–2028. The strategy is being released on the anniversary of squash’s formal inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympic programme by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Click here to view the Squash Ireland High Performance Strategy 2025 – 2028.
This strategy marks a significant shift in Squash Ireland’s approach to high-performance squash as the sport prepares for its debut in the Olympic Games. Its development was supported by extensive consultation and research, setting ambitious targets at the European, World, and Olympic levels.
A key objective for Squash Ireland is to qualify athletes for the LA 2028 Olympic Games and increase the number of players ranked in the world’s top 100, with a target of four. Securing substantial additional investment in the high-performance programme is essential for implementing the systems and structures necessary to achieve this strategy. Squash Ireland plans to launch a patrons programme and sponsorship strategy to support its high-performance goals and other objectives.
To kick-start the strategy, Squash Ireland is investing in world-class coaching by recruiting a high-performance Head Coach to provide player support and leadership for the high-performance programme.
Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham said:
“Ireland has a proud history of competing at the highest levels in squash, reaching as high as number 3 in the world on the women’s side and number 7 on the men’s side. That success has instilled a belief among young players that they too can compete at the very highest level. With the inclusion of squash in the LA 2028 Olympic Games, we have a huge opportunity for young players to pursue a career in squash and strive to become Olympians. As a fast- growing and ambitious National Governing Body, we are committed to backing the players and putting the systems and structures in place to ensure long-term international success.”
“The development of this strategy has taken several months, and I want to thank everyone who contributed, particularly the members of the high-performance working group: Angus Kirkland (Chair), Arthur Gaskin, Derek Ryan, Gareth Brown, Eoin Ryan, and Ken Flynn.”
Sport Ireland’s Director of High Performance, Niamh O’Sullivan, commented:
“Squash Ireland has set clear and ambitious targets for its sport over the coming four years. Sport Ireland is encouraged by the National Governing Body’s plans to maximise the potential of its athletes, clubs and coaches. Our vision for international success by athletes and teams is that it is systemic and sustained; and critically, underpinned by high-functioning National Governing Bodies. I look forward to continuing to engage with Squash Ireland as their plans develop over the next cycle.”
