The new 12-court facility with six CourtTech Club Courts and 6 CourtTech Flexi Courts has been developed through a partnership between the squash authority and the Northern Territory government.

“The Territory government is committed to supporting local clubs and developing home-grown talent, and that is why we have invested $4 million in this facility,” said Minister Daniel Knight.

“With 12 courts, a kiosk, changing rooms and ancillary offices, plus a caretaker’s residence, our top level Squash players will be able to develop their skills in a world-class facility,” added Knight.

This investment is just one example of new courts being built across the country, as noted by former squash great Michelle Martin. “Ten centres went up around Australia last year and there are more on the horizon,” said the three times world champion.

Indeed, Squash Australia reports that dozens of courts are going up in Townsville, Bowen and Innisfail in Queensland, the Barossa Valley, western Sydney, Port Hedland, and the Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games – as well as in Darwin.

Martin believes it is also great news for the wellbeing of Australians: “I’m a big believer in teaching children hand-eye co-ordination,” said the former world number one. “So if you get that taught as a child from a young age, they’ve got that for life and then they’ll be able to develop any sport from there.

“The fact that people are time poor, that’s helped. It’s very much a positive for the sport because people just want a quick workout.”

WSF President N Ramachandran was delighted to hear the Australian news: “This is exactly the sort of new development – larger, modern, variety of family-orientated facilities, replacing the myriad of small private two or three courts centres – needed in the so called ‘traditional countries’, leading to resumption of growth and mirroring the successful developments in so many newer squash countries.

CourtTech UK just completed the installation of 4 new club courts in a record 16 days in time for the Edgbaston Priory Junior Squash Open Easter weekend, and the World Masters this summer. Thanks to CT team Bryan, Israel, Nuno & Ferdinand, and the CourtTech UK team with Richard, Ian for making it happen.“

The courts have been tested by Edgbaston Squash Pros Chris Truswell (World ranking 135) and Chris Ryder (World ranking 36). The players and Club Squash Chairman Ellis Shortt gave the new courts their seal of approval and were delighted with the playing characteristics of the courts.

During the summer CourtTech will renovate the three old plaster courts at the EdgbastonPriory Club with CT Renovation Walls.

 „Edgbaston Squash Pros Chris Truswell (World ranking 135) & Chris Ryder (World ranking 36, centre) with Club Squash Chairman Ellis Shortt giving the new courts their seal of approval“

Edgbaston 4 courts

Squash2020.com will feature a wide range of social media tools including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, enabling squash fans worldwide to keep up to date with the campaign.

The squash2020 bid logo was also unveiled with the slogan Sport At Its Best.

“The Squash 2020 bid effort will be strongly supported by social media” said WSF President N Ramachandran. “We will be generating content to squash fans all over the world via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube throughout the duration of the bid process until ‘judgement day’.

“There are many thousands of squash fans scattered across various social media platforms and we hope to unite all of them by getting them (and their friends) to Back the Bid at squash2020.com.”

Meanwhile, it was also confirmed that later this month Squash will unveil a bid brochure capturing the sport’s key attributes and outline what the sport can bring to the Olympic Movement—with commentary in French and English.

WSF CEO Andrew Shelley said: “Our bid brochure will seek to capture the features of our growing global sport, the sheer athleticism of the players, the especially valuable ability to place glass show courts in locations that show off host cities, our development credentials, growing broadcast reach and our commitment to push the boundaries of innovation.”