The Rally Roundup: January Newsletter

Rally Roundup Newsletter—January 2026

As the season moves into its second half, plenty is happening across women’s squash—from major competition on the horizon to programs and conversations shaping the future of the game. With momentum building on and off the court, this is a great moment to stay connected and look ahead.

In this month’s Rally Roundup: we highlight a compelling Squash Magazine feature on Masters squash and what a united championship weekend in New York means for the women’s game, spotlight A+ Squash’s work supporting body confidence in young female athletes, share insights from world top-20 pro Marina Stefanoni and preview upcoming tournaments and events worth having on your radar.

Women's Masters and Skill Levels: Building Momentum Together

As the U.S. Masters Championships head to New York City this April 10-12, the women’s and men’s events will come together on one shared stage in a meaningful moment for the Masters game and for the broader squash community.

In a must-read Squash Magazine feature, James Green, founder of Open Squash, reflects on why Masters competition is thriving globally and why New York is such a powerful setting for this next chapter.

That spirit is especially important on the women’s side. Strong participation in the Women’s Masters & Skill Levels Championships helps deepen draws, strengthen the community and continue building momentum for women’s squash within this united Masters weekend.

Registration is open for Women’s Masters age divisions, with the option to add Skill-Level draws at no additional cost—making it easy to get more matches and be part of a full, connected weekend of squash.

Read James Green’s article and register for the Women’s Masters & Skill Levels Championships here.

Women's Masters Registration

US Squash Appoints Mollie Marcoux Samaan as Chief Executive Officer

US Squash announced last week that Mollie Marcoux Samaan has been appointed as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2, 2026.

Marcoux Samaan brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience in sports administration, athlete development and commercial growth. Most recently, she served as Commissioner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), where she oversaw the largest period of growth within the organization’s 75-year history. During her time at the helm, tournament purses and player income grew by over 90% and the organization registered record revenue performance and fan engagement, with global audiences hitting all-time highs in 2024. She prioritized athlete well-being and performance by adding significant travel expense subsidies, access to mental health and physical performance resources and fully-subsidized healthcare insurance, benefits previously unavailable to LPGA athletes. Additionally, the LPGA Foundation experienced unprecedented success, with record fundraising and participation, resulting in more girls and women than ever playing golf and learning the game.

“US Squash has a long history of excellence, innovation and integrated community-building,” Marcoux Samaan said. “I am honored to join the organization at such an exciting time and look forward to working collaboratively alongside athletes, coaches, staff, clubs, partners, supporters and the broader squash community to strengthen and grow the sport’s reach and impact across the country."

Empowering Girls Through Body Confidence: A+ Squash

We’re excited to spotlight a powerful initiative recently hosted by A+ Squash, which brought the Body Confident Athletes workshop to its female student-athletes.

Led by Coaches Cindy and Emily and made possible through a generous grant from Laureus USA, the evidence-based program was developed by Dove and Nike in partnership with leading researchers. Across three engaging sessions, athletes explored conversations around body image, athletic identity, and creating “body talk–free zones” on their teams—shifting the focus from what bodies look like to what bodies can do.

Through guided discussion, reflection, and movement, participants gained practical tools to challenge negative body image, appreciate body functionality, and support one another as teammates. The curriculum—which is available online and includes coach-friendly training materials—proved especially impactful when paired with squash-specific examples, including PSA’s My Strength interview with Tesni Evans.

This work plays a vital role in keeping girls engaged in sport and building confidence that extends far beyond the court. A+ Squash is proud to be part of a global initiative helping young athletes develop a healthier, more empowering relationship with their bodies.

Learn more about the Body Confident Athletes program

Purposeful Progress: Marina Stefanoni on Training With Intent

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Marina Stefanoni of Team USA, currently ranked inside the world’s top 20, to talk about her rise on the professional squash tour and how her approach to training has evolved as competition has intensified.

In this interview, Marina reflects on her progression over the past two seasons, how she prepares during a demanding tournament schedule, and why solo drilling remains a foundational part of her training. Her perspective offers practical takeaways that connect the professional game to the everyday training experience.

Read the Full Interview

Maspeth Squash Winter Classic — Queens, NYC

The Maspeth Squash Winter Classic returns on January 28, 2026 (11:30 am–2:00 pm) at the Maspeth outdoor steel court in Queens, bringing world-class professional squash players together for a special exhibition that blends elite competition with community connection.

What’s on court:

Women’s singles highlight (best of 3):

Marina Stefanoni vs. Tinne Gilis

(Stefanoni, one of the top American women on the PSA Tour, faces Gilis, a Belgian star and former European Champion who has reached the world’s top five.)

Men’s singles (best of 3):

Timmy Brownell vs. Matias Knudsen

(Brownell’s speed and creativity meet Knudsen’s power and composure.)

Trick shot contest: Sink the ball into the iconic Maspeth enamel cup
Doubles match (best of 3): Brownell/Stefanoni vs. Knudsen/Gilis
Guest participation: Fans are invited to hop on court with the pros for rallying and play

Hot cocoa and chili will be available. Whether you’re already in New York City for the Tournament of Champions or based locally, this is a fun, community-driven way to experience world-class squash in a unique setting.

RSVP: robert@maspethwelding.com