The Squash World Podcast
By Conor D'Cruz
Each podcast features one-on-one in-depth interviews between Conor and a wide variety of movers and shakers in the global squash fraternity, from professional squash players, to presidents of squash associations, coaches, entrepreneurs, business leaders, club owners, etc.
The main focus: to grow the sport we love.
Thanks to Ross Gerring of the #SquashPlayersApp for making this possible.
The Squash World PodcastFeb 04, 2021
Catalina Peláez Casasfranco
Catalina is Colombia's number one. She talks about the difficulties of being a woman player, but is far from inactive . Together with other female players she has created Squash Latinas to promote the female game in their region.
Tom Swain
Tom Swain is passionate about the junior/grassroot side of squash. In a small village in Kent, UK, he has carved a niche market. Not just coaching squash but also running great multisport camps.
Neil Hoskin
Neil Hoskin is President of a squash club in Peterborough, UK. He and his committee have raised money to put a 5th court back as a squash court (it had been turned into a climbing wall). They also have 3 women coaches and courts are well used.
Anna-Rose Lee
Anna-Rose runs a squash NGO for poor kids in Rio. Raising money and introducing kids to the benefits of sport. Making a difference at grass roots.
John Fletcher
John Fletcher lives in New Zealand, is running a series of PSA events, and developing squash in his area.
Karim Darwish
Former world number 1, Karim has played a massive part in building squash in Egypt. His squash schools have over 3000 players.
Alisia Dale Grenville
Alisia is a legend. Stay at home mum of 3, she is a freelance lawyer. During covid she bakes cakes and makes soup for local elderly. We speak about how to get sport moving, and fund raising.
Derek Ryan
Derek Ryan, former world number 5, and now PSA official physio. With a wealth of knowledge on injury prevention, Derek takes care of strength and conditioning sessions for juniors.
Brian Ward
Passionate coach in Hampshire,England. Are some prominent English vets racist, homophobic, sexist? Should a coach in Sussex be sanctioned for posting his backside on facebook? Should the national body use "bringing the game into disrepute"? Are these idiots who talk about developing the game actually the cause for its decline? Why are more clubs not working like Wigginton Squash Club i.e. working on creating a base for all ages locally, a true community club? With 3 courts and pre-covid with 450 members, can any club do this ? Can clubs develop with ridiculously low prices? What is the incentive in England to be a coach when so many seem to think that the coaching shouldn't earn money or can't see the benefit of having a coach? The lost generations....working in schools etc.
P.S. if you are not a prominent English racist, homophobic, sexist cowardly idiot then you shouldn't be offended 🙂 Thanks Brian (dedicated to those women who have suffered so much crap by buffoons and hounded out of committees, coaching positions)
Margaret Haugh
Margaret Haugh is well known in the Lyon area of France, is an avid squash fan and supporter of squash. We talk about why the standard of French squash is so high and yet numbers have fallen drastically. Womens squash. Are the federation, leagues and associations crap? Can you expect in 2021 a system to work where the Federation works more with associations than centres? Can a system work with so few coaches in clubs and at best one woman coach full time in all of France ? Margaret, you are lucky I don't live in Lyon or I would have you working for squash as a chosen volunteer and you would be a sponsor. Thank heavens I don't coach in France. I would have to sell my car and buy a bike. Enjoy.
Bertrand Tissot
Bertrand is from France. He emigrated to Canada and became assistant to legendary coach Mike Way. Now working in Luxembourg he has many stories to tell.
Hughie Ferguson
Hughie and his committee have turned his club around. Community thinking menas they themselves refurbished the bar area, and have started a programs for kids. Great work.
Danielle Letourneau
Danielle is a top Canadian squash player who has moved to Cairo to train. An interesting journey. Moving away from your home. On her doorstep are world class players, facilities and trainers.
Connie Barnes
Connie is an Australian icon living in the USA. She has been instrumental in growing squash in her area and nothing will stop her from continuing. An astute business woman.
Ross Gerring
He has created a brilliant app called Squash Players app. You can get a few friends together in your club and create your own ladder. No need for a license, no need to ask the committee, no need to interact with the local Federation. Let's face it: data is really bad in squash. With the same 20 million players figure quoted by dinosaurs without a clue..... Get on his app and register your club now!
Ralph Shillington
Ralph Shillington, all round nice guy, squash Dad, sponsor and top fan. Really nice chat with him afterwards. Hopefully we can organise some PSA events in parallel. From Ontario with love.
Robbie Downer
Robbie Downer - another player left behind by the system ? He took the intelligent decision to leave and go where he can train peacefully. Many countries would love to have him in their system. Can a system be fair when coaches decide whether their players are picked against players they don't coach? Robbie is crowdfunding to try to finance his training over the next three months. If you want to help him now is your chance. Good luck Robbie, and do post about the crowdfunding and your progress.
Borja Golan
Former top 10 player from Spain. All about his voyage to the top.
Jo Shattuck
Former racquetball champion. Highly qualified in technology, she is creating an app that will track your movement.
Ashraf Hanafi
Ashraf Hanafi is the Godfather of Egyptian squash. There is no secret to Egyptian squash. Common sense, investment, coaching, players that put back, REPEAT!
John Musto
John Musto is a fantastically nice guy! Ex US national champion and now a professional coach, we need passionate people like this. Thanks John Musto, I really appreciated your chat.
Maxim P. Weithers
Mental coach and charismatic entrepeneur. The role of the coach in squash.
Ryosei Kobayashi
Top Japanese player Ryosei Kobayashi, moved to France to study wine for his career but at the same time integrated into the French system at Aix en Provence. His squash game improved, and so has his knowledge of wine!
Luis Ferreira
Luis is the head of Squash Portugal. Ever enthusiastic .....Vamos!