Squash Canada – World Squash Day 2016 Focuses on the Social Side of Squash Canadians Encouraged to hit the Court on October 22

Squash is a great game. Rated as one of the healthiest sports in the world, those who play it know just what we’re talking about – it’s all about fun and fitness, and making friends for life. From 8 years old to 80+, squash is a game for life – a sport for the fiercely competitive and the recreational participant, no matter your level of play, squash is a game for all.

Every year for one day in October, squash organizations from around the world collectively celebrate the game with the hopes of:

 Encouraging clubs to promote and share squash with the wider community;

 Providing opportunities for new, casual and past participants to spark an interest in taking up the sport;

 Engaging current participants;

 Celebrating everything squash and the great benefits it can provide.

This year for World Squash Day, Squash Canada is asking Canadian squash players to take this opportunity to share in the fun and fitness of our game by introducing a friend to the sport we all love so much. On Saturday October 22, invite a friend (or two or three) who’s new to the game, to join you down at your local club and get them on the court.

Not only will your passion for the game introduce someone new to the sport, it will also give you the opportunity to win a prize pack — a win-win if you ask us!

Simply take a short 10-15 second clip of the newest Canadian squash player in action, submit it on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #WorldSquashDayinCanada (be sure to tag us!) and be entered in the draw to win one of 2 Squash Canada prize packs. Winners will be announced Monday October 24.

Canadian squash clubs are encouraged to get in on the action too! Is your club holding a World Squash Day event? Let us know! Send us pictures, videos and stories and we’ll share it.

Follow along in all the World Squash Day activities on Social Media:

Squash Canada:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squashcanada/

Twitter: @squashcanada

World Squash Day: Facebook: www.facebook.com/WorldSquashDay/

Twitter: @WorldSquashDay

ABOUT WORLD SQUASH DAY

World Squash Day was launched in honour of Derek Sword. A former Scottish junior international squash player who moved to America and was the squash champion at New York Athletic Club, Derek worked at the World Trade Center and was killed in the 9/11 attacks on New York in 2001. Derek was friends with Scottish squash stars Peter Nicol and Martin Heath, who along with a number of friends got together to do something special to honour Derek’s memory and at the same time do something tangible for the sport of squash. Hence the birth of World Squash Day.

The first World Squash Day event took place on January 11, 2002 when a New York team travelled to the UK to play a London team at the famous Lambs Club. It also included an eight-man invitation tournament that featured leading stars such as Peter Nicol, John White, Paul Price, Peter Marshall and Alister Walker.

World Squash Day is endorsed by the World Squash Federation and a different theme is chosen each year.

ABOUT SQUASH CANADA

Founded in 1915, Squash Canada is a non-profit, national sport governing body responsible for the development of athletes, coaches and officials and sets the standards for Canadian squash. Squash Canada is a proud member of the Pan-American and World Squash Federations and participates in the Pan-American Championships, Commonwealth & Pan-Am Games as well as World Championships at the junior and senior level. Each year Squash Canada hosts nine national championships across the country and works with its provincial and territorial partners to promote the growth and development of squash across the country. For more information, please visit www.squash.ca.

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For more information: Britany Gordon Programs Manager, Squash Canada (613) 228-7724 x202 britany.gordon@squash.ca