The concept of an outdoor Squash court sounds like a great way to bring about community engagement, especially in parks with mass landscapes of great tranquility.
As we discussed in a previous blog post about boosting squash participation via media coverage, a fellow Squash enthusiast touted the emergence of a far greater solution – T-Point Smart Squash Court; playing squash outdoors in a park.
Checkout the promotional video below from T-Point:
The company behind this is ASB Squash, a European based with a history of developing squash courts over the world. Furthermore, they have partnerships with the Players Squash Association, World Squash Association, Fédération Française de Squash, and England Squash.
As we discussed in a previous blog post about boosting squash participation via media coverage, a fellow Squash enthusiast touted the emergence of this far greater solution outdoor Squash courts as a way to tackle the declining numbers of Squash participation in Australia.
Even though in some countries the weather is poor, outdoor Squash courts with a little kiosk area would be a welcome attraction to an inner suburb.
Photo Credit: ASB Squash
Potential to outdo outdoor Tennis
Throughout the UK there are over 100 outdoor tennis courts in urban locations, which are open to the public and are managed by the local authority in partnership with a sports management contractor. Maybe it is time to bring squash provision to the inner suburbs where there are no squash courts as it makes strategic business sense to these private or even local sports companies and local authorities to collaborate in considering placing outdoor Squash courts in local parks to boost participation.
This is a great solution, as a number of leisure centres are removing their Squash courts to expand existing gymnasiums or converting them into a trampoline area.
What’s even better this outdoor Squash court facility can be fitted in any area beside a leisure centre or sports club – how about playing squash on a rooftop? Or even better at schools with no squash provision but make this new activity to children. In addition, bring about social engagement in the local community.
Let’s make outdoor Squash happen
It is hard to imagine why outdoor Squash cannot happen, the only issues could be planning and gaining the support of the local governing body.
Hence, if it is sold as a benefit to help improve the health and wellbeing of the local community – there is a strong chance the planning committee would approve it with certain conditions.
What are these conditions? Well, the main thing would be making it accessible for all sections of the community to participate.
As for locations, well the T-court would be a welcome addition to any park or alongside existing Tennis courts at private sports clubs.
Already major Squash tournaments are being played on outdoor Squash courts against some glorious backdrops; thus, the concept of outdoor Squash provision could be the catalyst to increasing Squash participation amongst young people of all backgrounds.
