Rally Roundup Newsletter - August 2024

In this newsletter, we introduce you to our new US Squash Women’s Committee Liaison, give you a recap of the World Masters in Amsterdam, provide details for upcoming events this fall, and reveal this year’s Women’s Event Schedule.

Welcome Linda Elriani


I am thrilled to be the new US Squash Liaison to the Women's Squash Committee. I have been passionate about squash since I started playing at 9 years old. I played professionally for 16 years, reaching #3 in the World and #1 in England, before relocating to coach in the United States with my husband Laurent. We spent 15 years running the program at the Heights Casino in Brooklyn, NY.


I accepted the Senior Director of Professional Development and Programming position at US Squash two years ago. I've spent a lot of time working with our coaches, compliance, Coach Pass, coaching courses, writing resources, and visa letters, but I'm excited to now include women in my focus. I have a special chance to combine my professional development experience and Women's Committee involvement to bring the uniqueness of women's squash to the attention of the pros, to help develop awareness and programs specialized to women in clubs around the country.


I'd also like to congratulate Narelle Krizek for all of her efforts and commitment to Women's Squash over the last two years. We really appreciate everything she has done and will continue to build on her successes in expanding the women’s game.

2024 WSF World Masters Squash Championships

August 15-22

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

It was a week to remember! The women’s perspective.


The World Masters Squash Championships takes place every two years and includes age groups starting from 35+ all the way through 80+.  This year’s event was attended by over 1,200 players, from all over the world, with over 100 players from the United States and 30 of them women!  The US women represented all age groups and all levels, from beginners to the most experienced.  The US women brought home a silver (Hope Prockop, W55+) and a bronze (Carol Grunberg, W70+) and as a country, we came in 4th in the Nation’s Cup, which is based on how we performed overall as a team.

“I love y’all! Seriously one of the strongest, most supportive, and positive group of people I have ever met.” Lovey Roundtree Oliff reflects on her week at the Worlds.


Vera Galvez was the newest player of our group. “It has been an amazing experience as a newbie to all of this. The US Women are nothing short of a dream team with such incredible strength, talent, and integrity. You are all an inspiration—not to mention that you are so much fun and beautiful people on and off court!”

Our oldest player, Mariza Ohlsson, who actually played for Slovenia, but lives in Seattle, had surgery just 3 weeks before the tournament. “I originally decided to play the tournament and then have the surgery, but I was in so much pain that I couldn’t wait, so I decided to have the operation first and see how I felt. Obviously, I feel OK as I’m here. I’m perhaps not at my full capacity, but at least I’m here!” Read her story on the World Squash website.

“You are my inspiration, Carol. When I turn 70, I want to be just like you!” Karen Arango reflected as she watched Carol reach the semi-finals in the W70+ draw.


Szilvia Szombati was the first to say “I’m so grateful to be part of this crew, you ladies are amazing and can’t wait to see you all at Howe Cup.” Katherine Lynch agreed, “Hope to see many of you on the squash courts and dance floor at Howe Cup on Nov 8-10 in Philly!”


And as the tournament came to a close, players were uploading their photos and saying their goodbyes with tears in their eyes, anxious to know when we were all going to see each other again. It was a pretty amazing week that brought 30 women from across the United States together, competing in all age categories, mostly against opponents from other countries, but in some instances, against each other. We are all ready to sign up for the next World Masters in 2026, wherever it may be!


Below is the list of divisions / US Players and their finishing position. You can see all the photos from the event at the US Squash SmugMug page.

Upcoming Events [September-November]

Organize a Women’s Squash Week Event

Theme: Championing Women’s Voices

September 16 - 22, 2024


Women’s Squash Week is a fantastic opportunity to engage new players and celebrate female participation in squash. Organize a social tournament, a beginner’s event, a coaching workshop, or any other creative programming that fits your community. Add your Women’s Squash Week event by Friday, September 6, to ensure it is included in the 2024 Women’s Squash Week Calendar. 


Sign Up Here! 

We’d love to help promote your event before, during, and after the week. When you post on social media, please tag the following accounts: 

Instagram: @ussquash, @ussquashwomen, @ussquashfoundation, @psafoundation 

Facebook: US Squash, U.S. Squash Foundation, Squash - PSA Foundation 

LinkedIn: US Squash, U.S. Squash Foundation, PSA Foundation 

Important hashtags: #WomensSquashWeek, #WomenInSports, #WomensSquash 


Create a "Women of Squash Voices" recap video. Ask your participants the following questions, film their responses, and send the video to us: 


  • How does your club make you feel? (Give them a shout out too)
  • Who's your female hero / 'who inspires you?'
  • What differences does it make having women champions /female role models in squash?
  • What would you improve from the sport to get more women and girls playing?
  • What steps can we take to include more women and girls in squash spaces?


Send all Women’s Squash Week videos to Erica Simpson (erica.simpson@ussquash.org).

Peach State Invitational (Women’s Only Event)

Oct 4-6

Atlanta, GA


Don’t miss this year’s Peach State Invitational! This is your opportunity to play singles and doubles in the same weekend.


Players can enter in two draws and you are guaranteed two matches in each draw.You will get a tournament gift and light refreshments throughout the weekend. Matches begin Friday afternoon and finals are scheduled for Sunday morning. 


If you are traveling from out of state, let us know and you have the option for your first match on Saturday morning. Contact Emily Terry (emily@aplussquash.org) for more information.


We applaud great sportsmanship here in Atlanta. The "Peach of the Weekend" award is given to a player who demonstrates great sportsmanship throughout the weekend as recommended by other participants. This tournament is open to women and girls of ALL levels!


  • Early Entry Fee: $100 - Enter by 08/31
  • Regular Entry Fee: $115 - Enter by 09/18
  • Discounted entry fee is available for SEA students. 


All proceeds will support A+ Squash.


Find out more and sign up!

The U.S. National Women’s Team Championships

“Howe Cup”

Nov 8-10

Philadelphia, PA


We are excited to be hosting the Howe Cup at the Specter Center again this year and are expecting a record breaking number of teams from all of the United States and Canada.


Start your training during a Women’s Squash Week event and from there, you have 7 weeks to plan your trip, form your teams, and get your team spirit in high gear.


Each year, we survey players after the event and determine whether any rules should be updated. Based on last year’s survey responses, the women’s committee recommended the following changes regarding juniors, which have been accepted and the rules have been amended. 


  1. Junior players must be at least in High School (14 years old or older). 
  2. No team may have more than one junior player on their roster. (U19 players). 
  3. Junior players ratings must be 3.3 or higher to play in the Howe Cup. (Ratings will be taken from the player rating on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.)
  4. For the MPB Doubles event, if a junior would like to play, they must partner with an adult.


What you need to know about Howe Cup


  • Players of all levels are encouraged to play as you will play in skill level appropriate divisions.
  • Howe Cup is a team competition, with teams of 5 players. If you are a player, but do not have a team, do not fear. We have a player / team matching program that helps players find teams and teams find players. Everyone that wants to play, gets to play!
  • Play starts Friday morning, so you will want to travel Thursday or in the wee hours of the morning on Friday. Play ends early afternoon on Sunday so you can get back home or to wherever you are traveling.
  • If you are exclusively a doubles player, we run the MPB Doubles event in conjunction with the Howe Cup. We hope to see you there. If you are ambitious and want a LOT of matches, you are able to play both the Howe Cup and the MPB Doubles event, at no extra charge.
  • You can read more about timing, hotels, and the weekend activities on the Howe Cup Tournament Page.


If you have questions, you can reach out to Linda Elriani ( linda.elriani@ussquash.org)

2024 - 2025 Women’s Squash Event Schedule


The 2024-2025 Women’s Squash Event Schedule has been updated to include the Masters Squash Series Tournaments and Women’s Only Regional Tournaments.

Masters Squash Series


US Squash launched the inaugural Masters Squash Series which consists of eight Masters events, held across the U.S. that offer automatic qualification into the season-culminating U.S. Masters Championships. The Masters Squash Series was developed with the goal of increasing Masters participation on a regional and national level, and increasing competitive opportunities for Masters players of all ages and abilities throughout the season.


All divisional winners and finalists of the Masters Series events will receive free entry into the U.S. Women’s Masters Championships in April.


Women’s Only Events


In addition to the National Championships and the Masters Series, the Women’s Committee is promoting a few women’s only regional events. This year, we will focus on two, the Peach State Invitational in October, and the Eve Bachman Invitational in February.

Women’s Event Schedule / Calendar


Below you will find a calendar view, followed by ClubLocker links to each of the tournament pages. Each month, we will provide more details about the upcoming events.
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