EDITOR'S WELCOME
WELCOME FROM THE GUEST EDITOR
JONAH BARRINGTON
When the first edition of The Squash Player Magazine hit the newspaper stands in October 1971, I was lucky to be the first player chosen to grace the cover. The early 1970s, and the decade that followed, was an era of unprecedented growth for the game of squash - courts were being built all over the place; from Australia and across the former colonial territories through to the Americas, there was a buzz around the game in all corners.
In the half century that has followed since the orig in of this magazine, squash's popularity has waned. In the 1970s the sport was snowballing at a phenomenal rate but for the last 20 years, while there have been moments of celebration and minor breakthroughs, the sport has been fighting a gradual decline in its st atus and relevance.
As of October 2023 - almost 52 years to the day since this magazine first hit the stands - that story is now changing.
Following the astonishing news that, after over 30 years of trying, we have finally earned a place at the Olympic Games, squash is now embarking on a new era: one that has many similarities to the 70s and 80s and one which offers us the platform to go up against the biggest sports and prove our worth as never before.
Make no mistake, this is a huge moment in the history of the game and one that in 50 years time, future generations will look back as a seminal point in the sport's trajectory.
The powers that be - whether that's the WSF or PSA or the national federations - have been presented with an opportunity unlike any we've had before. This is a golden chance to embrace the Olympic dream and move the sport forward in ways that has never previously been possible.
There is no doubt that the Olympic news will l lead to an injection of investment into the game at a national level. New courts will be built. Countries that have previously only dabbled in the game, such as China and India, will develop programmes and set in place structures to target Olympic success.
More investment at a national level, will lead to more investment at the top level - players will earn more, opportunities will increase - which will in turn attract more eyeballs to the game.
The decision of the IOC has the potential to act as a blood transfusion for squash. It is the catalyst that could change the sport - and bring about an era of growth not too dissimilar to the 1970s.
Back then, players were abuzz with excitement at new opportunities to play, the opportunity to earn (with professionalism a relatively novel concept at the time), the sport's growing profile are all traits that I see being repeated again now.
At the core of everything that the sport must do in the short window between now and the LA28 Olympic Games is publicising the game; sharing the stories from within the sport and making stars of the players who lead the game at present.
Which brings us back to this publication. I was lucky enough to grace the cover of the first issue of Squash Player in the pre Olympic era, but now I am delighted to pen the welcome to this edition, the first of the post-Olympic era.
While the equipment, clothing, haircuts, media, TV coverage and administration has constantly fluctuated during the years between the two editions - Squash Player Magazine has remained steadfast.
Before the era of computers and instant information, Squash Player was the publication that kept amateur and professionals alike informed about the game. As the digital era arrived, the magazine endured, offering a vital voice of independence and one that held the associations and administrators who are in charge of our sport to account.
To that extent, the squash community owes a huge debt of gratitude to lan McKenzie - who has single-handedly kept this title alive and relevant, spending over 30 years at the helm as Editor and dedicating every moment of his time to the game.
An astute analyst, lan has a passion for the game that has stood the test of time - and he has offered sage advice to more than one player during his tenure. His dedication to keeping this title alive has played an important role in keeping the sport growing at times when we have been in sharp decline.
While the time has come for lan to hand over some of the management reins to Squash Media & Marketing, it is only right that I take the opportunity here to recognise a truly unheralded champion of the game.
His dedication with this title is symbolic of the resolve that courses through the squash community to persevere and continue - and it is the likes of lan, and the countless others who have dedicated their lives to the game, who deserve the reward of being an Olympic sport.
Everyone involved in the game should be excited for what is to come over the next five years.
This is THE opportunity. And I hope it is only the beginning.
|