Squash Canada is thrilled to launch CANSquash, a national grassroots curriculum designed to attract and retain participants that will grow our sport exponentially coast to coast.
As supported by the Government of Canada’s Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI), 23 programs across Canada will pilot the standardized curriculum built to support participants and coaches across all stages of development and deliver a positive, inclusive, safe, and most importantly, a fun squash experience.
This initial rollout establishes a structured entry point for participants and a strong foundation for long-term development. The Winter 2026 pilot programs will focus on the FUNdamentals Module (ages 6 – 9), helping youth develop hand-eye coordination, and movement skills and the Skill Development Module (ages 8 – 12), which emphasizes basic squash techniques including rallying and footwork. Training, Competition, Performance, Active for Life, School Squash, and Athletes with Diverse Abilities modules are planned for the future.
Identified as a key priority by national stakeholders, CANSquash has been in development since 2023. Squash Canada thanks the dozens contributors who helped get the program to the crucial pilot milestone, including lead author Janet McLeod (NS), developers Andrew Lynn (BC), Jeff Hipfner (NWT), Shawn Zwierzchowski (BC), Patrick Hartunian (ON), Robert Pacey (BC), Anne-Frédérique Bayard (QC), Tracy Gardner (SC – CANSquash Manager), and members of the CANSquash Taskforce.
“Squash Canada is proud to launch the first iteration of the CANSquash program. Our standardized national curriculum will be a game-changer for growth and sustainability in our sport, introducing and retaining thousands of new participants to our sport. With our Olympic era upon us, CANSquash will be the pipeline that produces the next generation of talent and will keep our diverse communities healthy and engaged in sport. Squash Canada thanks Janet McLeod, all of our passionate contributors and the pilot programs for their part in getting us to this historic moment,” – Jamie Nicholls, Squash Canada CEO.
The launch of CANSquash is also a key pillar of Squash Canada’s Olympic fundraising campaign, Road to the Podium (Learn More Here). By ensuring that emerging athletes are supported early and developed within a cohesive national pathway, CANSquash can strengthen the foundation of Canada’s high-performance system.
Pilot programs applied to the CSAI grant program in September 2025 and recipients were awarded in November. Congratulations and good luck to our CANSquash pilot programs from coast to coast:
- Avalon Squash Club – Newfoundland
- 902SquashED, Kentville – Squash Nova Scotia
- Yellowknife Racquet Club – NWT Squash
- Saskatchewan Squash Inc – Sask Squash
- Manitoba Jesters Committee – Squash Manitoba
- Squash Moncton – Squash NB
- Squash Yukon
- Quebec Jesters – Squash Quebec
- Squash Outaouais – Squash Quebec
- Bow Valley Squash Foundation – Squash Alberta
- Edmonton Jesters – Squash Alberta
- Edmonton Squash Club – Squash Alberta
- Urban Squash Toronto – Squash Ontario
- The Jesters Club of Ontario – Squash Ontario
- Squash Niagara – Squash Ontario
- Pickering Squash Club – Squash Ontario
- The RA Centre – Squash Ontario
- Vancouver Racquets Club – Squash BC
- Chilliwack Squash Club – Squash BC
- Bayside Racquets Club – Squash BC
- Capital Regional District (Panorama Recreation) – Squash BC
- Evergreen Squash Club of West Vancouver – Squash BC
- Nanaimo Squash Club – Squash BC
For more information on the CANSquash program please visit our website (Click Here) or contact CANSquash Manager Tracy Gardner (coaching@squash.ca) or CEO Jamie Nicholls (jamie.nicholls@squash.ca).
