The sport
of Squash was first played over 100 years ago and is now
enjoyed in over 130 nations, on 50,000 courts, with its
popularity continuing to grow rapidly. To harness this growth
and to promote and co-ordinate the sport the International
Squash Rackets Federation was formed in 1967, its name being
changed in 1992 to the World Squash Federation. The WSF is
recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the
International Federation for Squash and is also in membership
of the General Association of International Sports Federations
(GAISF) and the Association of the IOC Recognised
International Sports Federations (ARISF).
MEMBERSHIP
The WSF has 118 Members, all of
which are National Associations of Squash, recognised by their
National Olympic Association or Ministry of Sport as the sole
and undisputed governing body for the sport in the country.
Members receive a number of votes to be used at General
Meetings depending on the number of Squash courts in their
country. Member nations are required also to be in membership
of one of the five Regional Squash Federations, which are an
integral part of the world structure.
MANAGEMENT OF THE WSF
The WSF is
managed by a Management Committee, responsible for day-to-day
control of the Federation and an Executive Committee which
assists Management Committee in the strategy and policy making
process. The Management Committee of the WSF is elected by the
Members at General Meeting and consists of a President and
three Vice-Presidents, who each serve two year terms of
office. The Executive Committee of the WSF comprises the
Management Committee plus one Regional Vice-President
appointed by each of the five Regional Federations. The WSF
employs a full time Chief Executive/Secretary General and
other professional staff who are responsible for implementing
the decisions of the committees.
What the WSF DOES
RULES OF THE GAME
A Rules and
Referees Committee continually monitors the Rules of the sport
and makes recommendations for change every four years. The
Committee has responsibility for implementing and running a
Referee Programme which trains, accredits and assesses the top
two grades of official, International Referee and World
Referee.
COURT AND EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
The WSF sets standards for all technical aspects of Squash
including court construction, rackets, balls, eye protection
and clothing and monitors the implementation of them. Through
its Technical Committee it inspects and accredits court
components which meet the specifications and works with its
partner companies to promote good practice in court
construction world-wide. The number of courts in the world now
stands at 50,000, increasing at around 2000 courts per annum.
WORLD CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Federation works closely with the two player associations
- the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the Women’s
International Squash Players Association (WISPA) to control
and co-ordinate the world calendar for Squash. Championships
are held in all major Squash playing nations and are
integrated with the World Championships and Major Games
calendar to ensure that there are no clashes of dates and
timings.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The WSF is
responsible for the running and promotion of World
Championships for men, women, boys, girls and masters at
individual and team levels in both singles and doubles. World
Championships for each are held every two years and are run by
WSF member nations, who tender for the events four years in
advance.
COACHING
The WSF is
responsible for co-ordinating the programme of Coaching
training and awards by member nations and providing a
comparative table of qualifications. Coaching courses are run
in new and developing Squash nations to provide the resource
for future growth.
DEVELOPMENT
One of the most important of all the functions
undertaken by the WSF is the development of Squash, not only
in countries where it is a new sport but also where it is
already established. Advice on all development matters is
given to members and implemented through a group of WSF
accredited specialists. Regional Committee Directors identify
needs for development projects in their area and recommend
activity plans to the WSF for resources and funding.
MEDICAL
The WSF, through its Medical and Sports Science
Committee, controls a wide ranging Doping Control Programme
and also generates positive guidelines for all medical aspects
of playing and training for Squash. The Committee identifies
and gives medical advice on all topics such as eye protection,
heart health and injury prevention and management.
PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY
The WSF
delivers an information and publicity service to Squash
players and the Sports Media world-wide. Press information is
circulated regularly through the WSF's World Squash Media
Director, who is also responsible for ensuring that up to date
information on World Championships and other major Squash
events appears on the World Squash website -
www.worldsquash.org
MAJOR GAMES
The WSF is
responsible for ensuring that Squash is represented in all
major regional multi-sport Games and in the Olympic Games. It
is conducting a high-profile campaign to be included as a full
medal sport in the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004. Squash is
now included in the Pan-American Games, Asian Games,
Commonwealth Games, World Games and All Africa Games.
