By THOMAS TANG (Finding Squash)
China is fully embracing World Squash Day with a massive programme of events to promote the sport.
The World Squash Day themed activities, organized by the Small Ball Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China in 2025, are being staged in nine cities by 10 hosting clubs and associations.
Shanghai University of Sport were first off the mark and organized multiple activities to launch World Squash Day. The CIIE Friends, New Squash Experience was a World Squash Day-themed event successfully held at the Shanghai University of Sport squash court with 30 participants.
This event aimed to foster friendship through sports, promote communication and exchange among members of the CIIE Sports Industry Committee, popularize awareness of squash, break down barriers to the sport, and allow participants to experience the charm of squash.
Another World Squash Day themed event, Youth ‘Squash’ Victory, Full of Vitality, will be held at the Shanghai University of Sport Squash Court on October 19, 2025, with an expected participation of 40 people.
Focusing on the family as the core bond, the event’s primary goals are to activate parent-child interaction and share the joy of sports. Centered around the three-tiered objectives of “cognition, experience and empathy,” parent-child squash activities are designed and conducted to make squash a bridge connecting family members and conveying healthy lifestyle concepts.
Additionally, Shanghai University of Sport will also organize promotional activities for its undergraduate students.
Wuhan 51 Squash Club will hold the inauguration ceremony of the Wuhan University of Technology Squash Team at its Nanhu Store on World Squash Day, October 11, marking the official start of cooperation with the Wuhan University of Technology Sports School.
Furthermore, throughout October, on weekdays (or other available times negotiated with the teachers), all faculty and students from other majors of the Wuhan University of Technology Sports School are invited to participate in the 51 Squash Free Experience programme.
The activity operates on the basis of: “Two or three people together can play freely for one hour; groups of five people invited together can receive one hour of free coaching.” This aims to further promote and publicize squash, the new sport set to make its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Xiamen Jankong Squash Club is staging the World Squash Day activities themed “Healthy Life, ‘Squash’ Must Have You” in Xiamen during September and October.
The period features exhibition matches by senior club members and high-level players, fun challenge competitions for public participation, and interactive experience sessions suitable for beginners.
Member Day activities, where members and enthusiasts could play freely and socialize, are being held every Wednesday evening from 7-9pm. Additionally, leveraging its location within a shopping mall, the Jankong Squash Club (Caitang Aegean Sea Store) interacted with the mall during the National Day holiday to conduct promotional activities like prize quizzes.
On World Squash Day itself, all-day free play and experiences are available, responding to the theme of the day: bring a new friend and step onto the court together.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan District Squash Sports Association and Hangzhou Xiaoshan Benjing Squash Club will jointly hold the Full Squash Power themed event at the Benjing Squash Court in Hangzhou Xiaoshan Sports Center on World Squash Day.
During the event, a squash culture exhibition will be set up, introducing the historical development of squash, the evolution of its rules, and stories of star players, accompanied by displays of actual squash equipment to popularize squash knowledge.
Simultaneously, open squash play sessions will be organized, offering two free play-time slots. Coaches will explain basic elements such as grip, serve, and stroke, and arrange free experience sessions, allowing participants to deeply feel the charm of squash. Beginners can easily participate, helping to popularize squash among the general public.
The Chengdu Tongyu Sports technology company will host free experience activities at the Chengdu Nano Squash Club on World Squash Day. On October 19, its High-Tech Store will host the Sichuan Team Competition, while also conducting free experience activities outside the business district to promote squash until the end of October, with an estimated total participation of 200 players.
Foshan Tomato Squash Club will hold World Squash Day activities themed New Olympic Sport, Fun Squash Experience in Foshan from October 11-12. The main venues are the Tomato Squash Club Beijiao Vanke Store and Nanhai Plaza Store, with sub-venues in commercial complexes and communities (featuring outdoor mini inflatable squash courts).
Activity content includes stress-relief experiences for young white-collar workers, parent-child mini-competitions, and tiered activities like exchanging coffee latte art with squash patterns for experience vouchers.
There will also be challenges like “bring a friend” (rewarded with phone straps, free weekly passes, etc.) and pop-up station experiences for vouchers. The activities will be taught and guided by four professional coaches, allowing different groups to experience the fun of squash with a low barrier to entry, while also leveraging the Olympic platform to promote the sport.
Dalian Squash Association will hold a World Squash Day event themed “Building a Public Service System, Promoting the Popularization of Squash” at the Squash Court in Xigang Gymnasium, Xigang District, Dalian City, on October 12.
During the event, youth and adult squash competitions will be held, with an expected participation of 70 people. Young athletes are encouraged to serve as referees and scorers to enhance their understanding of squash match rules.
Shaanxi Province Xi’an City Weiyang District Guanjue Sports Club will hold various forms of World Squash Day promotional activities on October 12, including technical and tactical discussions and exchanges, beginner experience camps, and free open play sessions.
This not only provides a platform for experienced players to make friends through the sport and deepen their skills but also popularizes squash to the public in an open and fun format, allowing interested individuals to personally experience the speed and passion of squash and swing their rackets freely!
Beijing Captain Sports Culture Co Ltd will conduct squash promotion and popularization activities at Decheng School in Changsha City, Hunan Province, on October 17. The activity targets approximately 100 students in grades 3-6 at the school. An introductory presentation on squash will be held in a multimedia classroom, followed by racket swing experience sessions in the squash court.
Huanyu Squash Club will hold the “World Squash Day, Huanyu Invites You to ‘Racket’ Out Your Love, Join the Carnival” themed promotional event in the atrium of the Chengdu Global Center and at the Huanyu Squash Club’s courts on October 11 and 18.
On the day, a friendly open tournament will be held at the club, while promotional activities for World Squash Day and a fun promotional game called “One Shot into the Box” will be conducted in the Global Center atrium.
Participants who successfully complete the game will be eligible for a free experience session at the club, allowing more citizens to learn about and experience this emerging sport of squash.
World Squash Day founder Alan Thatcher said: “This is a phenomenal programme of events designed to celebrate and promote the sport, illustrating our ethos that World Squash Day is more than just a day. It’s for life.”
Thomas Tang, founder of Finding Squash, is a Vice President of World Squash Day
