Squash Australia has received a multi-million funding boost ahead of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Australian authorities have pledged to inject AUD$2.36m into squash over the next four years.
It is one of three sports earmarked for additional funding leading up to The Games, alongside bowls and netball. They will share a total of $17m in fresh investment.
‘Proud history’
Following the retirement of Cameron Pilley and Ryan Cuskelly in 2019 and 2020, and Donna Lobban in January 2023, Australia currently has no representatives in either the men’s or the women’s top 50.
Despite this, Australia is tied with England when it comes to Commonwealth squash gold medals (11 apiece since squash made its debut in 1988).
“Australia’s squash athletes have a proud history at the Commonwealth Games, which for our sport, is the pinnacle,” said Squash Australia CEO Robert Donaghue.
He added: “Thanks to the confirmed funding support from the AIS [Australian Institute of Sport], we will be able to invest in preparing our athletes and supporting the pathway towards another home Commonwealth Games, Victoria 2026.
“The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games saw Australia’s squash players take home two gold medals and bronze medals in the doubles events, and in 2026 we will be aiming to better those results as our athletes once again have the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd. The success of our Australian athletes helps us to inspire more people to play our great sport, because Squash really is a sport for all.”
Australia currently has four women ranked between 50 and 100 in the world, including Jessica Turnbull (pictured top) and Alex Haydon (pictured directly above).
The highest-ranked men’s player currently is world number 84 Rex Hedrick.
Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, added: “It was incredible to watch our Australian athletes compete so brilliantly and top the medal tally at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, but it’s even more exciting to think Australians will get to experience all that excitement firsthand and on home soil at Victoria 2026.”
