DPE Daily Performance Environment. Refers to the primary preparation environment of athletes, as defined in the Win Well strategy.
IPP Individual Performance Plan. Refers to the biannual planning process between athletes and National Coaching and Performance Support staff which identifies short- and longterm goals and the Performance Targets and Key Priorities to achieve them.
NPC Squash Australia’s National Performance Centre, located at Carrara Indoor Stadium on the Gold Coast, is the home base for our HP Program.
PSA Tour The Professional Squash Association Tour is the sport’s professional tour. Senior players spend the majority of their year competing on the PSA Tour and world rankings are achieved through performance on the PSA Tour. PSA Tour performances are the main selection criteria for senior National Teams.
Our history in Squash matters.
Australia is the most successful nation in the sport’s history, having won the greatest number of Women’s (9) and Men’s (8) World Team Championships, as well as the most Women’s Individual World Championships (15) and the third greatest Men’s Individual World Championships (8).
Up until the inclusion of Squash for the LA28 Olympics, the Commonwealth Games represented the pinnacle of the sport for most nations. Australia’s record at the Commonwealth Games, where we sit equal with England on the all-time gold medal tally, further highlights our standing in the sport.
Squash also holds a prominent position in the history of Australian sport. As one of only eight Olympic sports with multiple athletes elevated to Legend status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, our sport holds a key place in Australian folklore.
While Australia’s success has slowed since the turn of the century, the transition of so many past champions into key roles in the Australian Squash ecosystem means there is a wealth of expertise at the highest level supporting the next generation of podium athletes. Australia is uniquely positioned in this way. No other nation has the depth of World Championship-level expertise at their disposal as Australia does to support their first Olympic Games campaign.
Sport Australia Hall of Fame Legend Geoff Hunt resides on the Gold Coast and mentors our National Coaches.
3 x World Champion Michelle Martin coaches categorised Pathway athletes in Sydney.
1991 World Champion
Rodney Martin coaches several of Australia’s top players in New York.
Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Donna Lobban coaches several leading Australian players based in Edinburgh.
2001 World Team Champion and former World No. 4 Stewart Boswell is SqA’s National Coach.
5 x World Champion
Sarah Fitz-Gerald is President of S&RV and Chair of the World Squash Coaching Commission.
Squash Australia’s High Performance Program is uniquely positioned coming into our first Olympic Games cycle. The timing of our Olympic inclusion coincides with our nation preparing for a home Olympics and the presence of many World Champions in our High Performance network. It is our perfect storm and gives our program the rarest of competitive advantages to grasp our Olympic opportunity.
Our sport’s Olympic Games debut
We are part of a community that is eager to showcase our sport on the biggest stage of all. We believe Squash and the Olympic Games are the most perfect fit. The skill and athleticism demanded of the world’s best Squash players deserves to be seen and appreciated by the world, and we are so inspired by this opportunity at LA28. The excitement around our Olympic inclusion will take Squash to a new level.
Our nation’s HP2032+ Sport Strategy
We are part of a united High Performance Sport System committed to winning well and achieving Australia’s best ever results in Brisbane 2032. We are excited about the role we can play in this journey by making Australia proud and contributing to measures of success. With a world-leading High Performance system around us, we have the capability, knowledge and resourcing to achieve our goals together.
Our program’s world champion expertise.
We are the all-time best nation in Squash and have more World Champion-level expertise in our HP Program supporting our first Olympic cycle than any other nation. Our past champions are heavily involved in our program, both in Australia and overseas. We will draw upon this expertise to develop the next generation of Australian podium success.
Our competitive advantage
Squash’s Olympic debut will take our sport to a new level.
We are committed to winning well and contributing to Australia’s 2032+ Strategy.
No country has greater Squash expertise in their program than Australia.
OUR WITTW MODEL DRIVES OUR STRATEGY
Our WITTW Model
Although the format of the Squash competition at LA28 is unknown and unlikely to be confirmed until mid-2026, our modelling of the likely field indicates that a top 10 World Ranking will be required for a player to be capable of delivering a podium performance at the Olympic Games.
Our WITTW Model identifies three interrelated requirements a player must meet to achieve a Top 10 World Ranking.
Factors of Squash Performance Competition Results Time
Players must achieve a Podium level standard across the Technical, Physical, Tactical and Psychological Factors of Squash Performance and develop a playing style which maximises the use of their main strengths across these areas.
Players must accumulate the World Ranking points needed for a Top 10 ranking through Competition Results on the PSA Tour. Players must first perform at lower-level tournaments, accumulating points to gain entry to stronger tournaments before competing on the highest tier of the tour.
Our WITTW World Ranking Profile shows that it takes eight years, often longer, for a player to progress from being an elite junior to achieving a Top 10 World Ranking. This highlights the resilience and commitment required from athletes to reach a podium standard.
Our National Squad structure (right) is informed by our WITTW Model and provides the framework through which support is provided along the athlete journey.
Our Next Gen and National Junior Talent Squads identify and support talented athletes in the Performance Pathway to ensure players reach an elite junior level as they transition from the pathway to the PSA Tour.
Our National Senior Squads are separated into two subgroups – NPC Based and Internationally Based. This reflects the different type of support required as athletes progress through the world rankings.
The alignment of our National Squad structure with our WITTW Model ensures our program is set up to provide the right support, to the right athletes, at the right time.
Our four Athlete Squads are based on our WITTW World Ranking Profile for men (green) and women (gold)
OUR MISSION & PRINCIPLES
Our Dual Missions
To capitalise on our Olympic Games debut and build a High Performance Program which inspires sustainable success, we need to deliver two missions with different objectives, but which must run concurrently and must commence now.
Our LA28 Mission is about inspiring the next era of podium success. We must perform well at LA28 to leverage our Olympic Games inclusion and inspire the next era of podium-level athletes. Success in this mission will have a significant impact on achieving our 2032+ Vision.
Our 2032 Mission is to return to the international podium. The eight-year journey to reach a podium standard aligns with a potential home Olympic Games in 2032. This mission must start now to ensure athletes are supported from the very start of their journey to the podium.
Our original journey commenced after Birmingham 2022.
Our debut Olympic cycle commenced at the conclusion of the Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Performances at World Championship events will help measure our progress towards LA28 and 2032.
Our LA28 Mission will conclude at our debut Olympic Games.
Achieving our Commonwealth Games targets are a key part of our 2032 Mission.
Our 2032 Mission aligns with the Win Well strategy.
LA28 Mission:
Inspire the next era of podium success for Australia through performances at LA28 which make Australians proud.
2032 Mission:
Return Australia to the international podium through a world-class program delivering sustainable success.
Our HP Program Principles
Our HP Program Principles describe how we will go about delivering our 2032+ Vision and succeeding in our LA28 and 2032 Missions.
These Principles will guide the implementation of our strategic priorities and will help foster a program culture which is performance-driven and people-focused, aligning our program with the commitment of the system’s Win Well strategy. They reflect our WITTW model and leverage our competitive advantage as a new Olympic sport with unrivalled expertise in our corner.
We are Athlete-Centred. The athlete is at the core of our HP Program. A Squash player’s journey to podium success is long and challenging. Providing holistic support for the athlete throughout this journey prioritises their wellbeing, as well as their performance, creating the environment for them to Win Well.
We are Alumni-Connected. Our history matters. As a nation, we know how to be successful, and we lean on our past champions for support, guidance and mentorship to inspire the next generation. Our alumni connection creates strong ties to our community, amplifying our spirit and cohesion whilst supporting Win Well outcomes.
We Aspire to Inspire. The Olympic opportunity of a debut Games followed by a home Olympics will inspire the Squash community like no other in Australia. We will use this inspiration to drive high standards across the HP Program and seek to live the system’s Win Well values of excellence, belonging, connection and courage as we provide this inspiration.
AlumniConnected
AthleteCentred
Aspire to Inspire
2032+ VISION
A WORLD-CLASS HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM INSPIRING
SUSTAINABLE AND SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES
Dual missions across four- and eight-year horizons provide the steps to achieve our 2032+ Vision.
LA28 MISSION
Inspire the next era of podium success for Australia through performances at LA28 which make Australians proud.
2032 MISSION
Return Australia to the international podium through a world-class program delivering sustainable success.
Our HP Program Principles describe how we will go about implementing our 2032+ Strategy.
ATHLETE-CENTRED
STRUCTURE & PERSONNEL
Provide support and expertise for international success.
ALUMNI-CONNECTED ASPIRE TO INSPIRE
Activities across four strategic pillars will deliver our 2032+ Vision.
NATIONAL PERFORMANCE CENTRE
Deliver a world-class Daily Performance Environment.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
Provide access and exposure to world class training and competition.
EVENTS
Deliver an Australian Squash Tour which meets the performance needs of Australian Squash players.
Measures of Success: LA28 Mission
Integrate National and Junior Squads annually at targeted National Training Camps at the National Performance Centre.
Increase promotion of potential LA28 Olympians, highlighting oncourt behaviour and commitment to winning well.
Build a high performance culture which is safe, fair and supportive.
2032+ athletes have increased visibility of LA28 aspirants, giving lived experience of Olympic training standards. Increase in percentage (TBD) of Talent Squad athletes meeting WITTW training standards.
Strengthen SqA’s connection to the system 2032+ HP Strategy and Win Well outcomes.
Greater incentive for athletes to transition from junior squads to PSA Tour, with the right support around them.
Number of athletes signing Win Well pledge and living Win Well values.
Biennial improvement in AIS Wellbeing Health Check results.
Measures of Success: 2032 Mission
OUR STRATEGIC PILLARS
Our Strategic Pillars
Activities across four strategic pillars will deliver our 2032+ Vision. All four pillars have a role to play in supporting the four athlete groups in our National Squad structure. A consideration of how each pillar supports the objectives of each National Squad ensures our program is athlete-centred, prioritising the right support, for the right athletes, at the right time.
Structure & Personnel
Provide support and expertise for international success.
National Performance Centre
Deliver a world class Daily Performance Environment.
International Support
Provide access and exposure to world class training and competition.
National Senior Squad (International)
National
Events
Deliver an Australian Squash Tour which meets the performance needs of Australian Squash players.
Next Gen Squad
National Junior Talent Squad
Senior Squad (Domestic)
Our Strategic Pillars
Our National Squads
Our top Olympic Uplift Priorities
The activities identified across the four strategic pillars provide the roadmap for our High Performance Program to achieve our LA28 and 2032 Missions, and ultimately, realising our 2032+ Vision. Within these strategic pillars, the below Olympic Uplift Priorities have been identified as the three key initiatives which will have the greatest impact and require the most urgent attention.
Olympic Uplift Priority #1: Provide targeted International Support for the group of 4-6 players with the greatest potential to contribute to Squash Australia’s LA28 Performance Targets.
Strategic Pillar: Int. Support
Athlete Group: Senior Squad (Int.)
International support, either through financial assistance or resourcing of world-class coaches and Performance Support staff, will allow Australia’s likely Olympians to train and compete as professional athletes for the four years leading into LA28. Our LA28 Olympians must be based internationally to access the competitions required to qualify and perform in LA28. Supporting them in this Olympic cycle will increase their ability to perform well in LA28, reaching performance targets and inspiring the next era of podium success.
Olympic Uplift Priority #2: Enhance the National Performance Centre (NPC) to provide an integrated, holistic and world-leading Daily Performance Environment to develop 2032+ Podium athletes.
We are committed to the NPC as a centralised DPE for athletes in the 2-4 years as they transition out of juniors. It also serves as a returning home base and National Team campaign venue for all senior athletes. Our most recent Commonwealth Games medallists went through this pathway, and similar models have produced successful results internationally, particularly in emerging Asian countries such as Hong Kong & Malaysia, who have surpassed Australia in the last decade.
For the NPC to be successful, we must ensure relocation does not come at the expense of overall wellbeing. Providing financial assistance and/or accommodation support, as well as adding key Performance Support roles which support holistic athlete development, will enhance the progression rate of athletes transitioning into and out of the NPC. Increased coaching support through a specific NPC Coaching role supported by the AIS Gen32 Coaching Program provides further support for this initiative, catering for the increase in players at the NPC and improving our coaching structure to allow more National Coaching support for internationally-based athletes.
Olympic Uplift Priority #3: Deliver targeted international tours for National Junior Talent Squad athletes to provide exposure to a world-class level of junior Squash, led by National Coaches to ensure intentional learning and development takes place.
Strategic Pillar: Int. Support
Athlete Group: Talent Squad, Next Gen Squad
To maximise the number of athletes meeting the WITTW World Ranking profile, we need more athletes to be at an elite junior level as they transition from the National Junior Talent Squads to the National Senior Squad and begin regular competition on the PSA Tour. To achieve this standard, junior players need more exposure to the international standard of juniors. Facilitating these opportunities, through National Coach-led international tours ensures we work closely with these athletes incompetition and identify key priorities to address in their DPE as part of their Individual Performance Plans.
Our top Olympic Uplift Priorities
Our Olympic Uplift priorities are driven by our WITTW Model and target specific areas of the Athlete Journey which require additional support for athletes to continue progressing towards a podium standard.
Uplift Priority #3 ensures athletes in our National Junior Talent Squads are at a standard where they make fast progression when transitioning onto the PSA Tour, as shown by the early rise in the WITTW World Ranking Profile.
Uplift Priority #2 supports athletes aged 18-22 who require a world-class DPE to develop the Factors of Squash Performance required to be ready to compete internationally
Uplift Priority #1 supports internationally-based Senior Squad athletes who require several years of support while competing internationally before they are able to be self-sustainable on tour through prizemoney and sponsorship.
THE ATHLETE JOURNEY
The Athlete Journey
The athlete is at the centre of our HP Program. How our strategic pillars deliver our 2032+ Vision is determined by a clear understanding of the needs of the athlete at each point in the journey and is informed by our WITTW Model.
Squad Goals
SqA Delivered Squad Activities
• Identify talented juniors.
• Establish proficiencies in Factors of Squash Performance.
• Develop high performance training standards.
• Introduce IPP processes.
• Gain exposure to international standard.
• State Performance Pathway Camps
• National Performance Pathway Camps
• International Tour Program
Current SqA Staffing
National Pathways Coach, State Pathway Leads.
• Perform at World Junior Championships
• Targeted international tours to provide exposure to international standard.
• Prepare for transition to PSA Tour.
• Improve proficiencies in Factors of Squash Performance.
• State Performance Pathway Camps
• National Performance Pathway Camps
• Mental Performance in Competition Program
• International Tour Program
National Pathways Coach, State Pathway Leads, Pathways S&C, AWE Manager.
• Relocate to NPC.
• Execute WITTW Training Standards to develop Factors of Squash Performance.
• Success in Australian PSA Challenger Tour events.
• Prepare for demands of PSA World Tour internationally.
• All NPC training and activities, including individual coaching and Performance Support
• National Team Campaigns
• Compete internationally on the PSA World Tour for 10 months per year.
• Progress world ranking to Podium level and progress through competition levels.
• Compete for Australia at major international events
• Remote National Coaching and Performance Support
• National Team Campaigns
National Coach, Gen32 Coach, S&C, Psychology, AWE.
National Coach, S&C, Psychology, AWE.
Our Athletes: Connection to Country
We are proud of the culturally safe and diverse environment we have created in our HP Program. The increasing cultural diversity of athletes representing our country in National Junior Teams highlights our success in creating an environment which acknowledges and respects the background of every individual.
25% of our 16-strong 2024 Trans Tasman Junior Team were First Generation Australians and over half were Second Generation Australians. These Australians have flourished and succeeded in the supportive environment we have created in our HP Program. Our success in the Trans Tasman Test Match through promoting a culturally safe and diverse environment epitomises the Win Well values.
Having developed an inclusive and respectful culture, we are ready to use our LA28 Olympic Games inclusion to further broaden the cultural diversity of our community, with a particular focus on First Nations People.
As we enter our debut Olympic Games, there is so much our program can learn from First Nations People. We are so proud, as a sport, to be making our Olympic Games debut in LA. We are even prouder to be Australians on a journey to the Olympic Games. Strengthening our connection with Australia’s history then will serve to enrich our program and our athletes as we head towards LA28.
As a sport, we are most well-positioned to support the system’s Embracing our Connection to Country strategy through Creating Opportunities and Educating Everyone.
• Our Olympic debut gives us the opportunity to introduce more people to our sport. Initiatives such as our community participation Squash Stars program will target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through the Olympic cycle.
• The increasing cultural diversity of our HP Program means it is more important than ever to provide education about the histories of our First Nations People, connecting our First and Second Generations to the history of the country they are representing so proudly.
OUR PARTNERS
Our Partners
Squash Australia is proud to be part of a united National High Performance System in our debut Olympic cycle. Our strategy is aligned with the system’s Win Well 2032+ strategy and we are excited about contributing to Win Well outcomes. Our contribution will be enhanced with the support of our major partners and supporters .
Squash Australia is grateful for the support of our State and Territory Member Associations. The support of our members will be vital in meeting key measures in our debut Olympic cycle, including inspiring the next generation and making Australians proud.
We will lean heavily on the AOC in our debut Olympic campaign to support our campaign plans and maximise our contribution to Australia’s key outcomes at LA28.
We are committed to having a strong and united sport as we move together towards our debut Olympic Games. We will work with World Squash to ensure the impact our sport has on the Olympic Movement is profound and positive.
The Australian Institute of Sport is our major funding partner. We’re excited to contribute to the system’s Win Well measures of success under their leadership of the Win Well strategy.
The Commonwealth Games has increased importance for Squash players than athletes from most other sports. This will continue to be the case as we look to maintain our position as the (equal) all-time leading Commonwealth Games Squash nation. CGA’s support is critical in this endeavour.
State institute support for the 2026 Commonwealth Games cycle has had a significant impact on supported athletes. With expectations and standards increasing for our debut Olympic cycle, the support of our State Institute partners will continue to be critical for success.
