Happy New Year, Squash Enthusiasts!

Hi Everyone!!! Happy New Year.  

We thought we would start off the year with a fun question for everyone! What are your squash goals for 2024? Now that you have given it a minute of thought, tell us your top goal! We will reveal all goals, anonymously, in the February edition of the Rally Roundup.

In this newsletter, we are going to start with the upcoming national championships (because it is that season), call for nominations for the women’s Sportsmanship and Achievement Bowl awards, highlight Columbus squash in our Community Spotlight, and feature Alexia Clonda in our player profile.  We are seeking a social media manager, and always at the end of the newsletter is the National Women’s Tournament Schedule with an updated date for the World Masters Championships in Amsterdam.

2024 Celebration of Women & Girls' in Squash on International Women's Day

In honor of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, 2024, US Squash encourages facilities across the U.S. to celebrate women and girls in the squash community by hosting a clinic, round robin, "Hit n Sip", any fun social event or "Bring a Buddy” to encourage new females to try squash for the first time. 

In 2023, 50 events were hosted throughout the U.S. Our goal for 2024 is 75 events and we hope you will register your facility to promote women and girls in our sport.  

Through being introduced to squash by a friend, new players will have the opportunity to experience the best aspects of squash—a fun, social, and healthy activity that builds strong relationships while enhancing well-being. The “Bring a Buddy” concept is a great opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day by growing and strengthening the women and girls squash community. 

2024 U.S. National Doubles Squash Championships

Bala Cynwyd, PA

Mar 1 - 3, 2024

Attention all doubles players - Whether you are experienced or a beginner, this event is for you! The tournament has both skill level and age group events, so enter the division you feel most comfortable!

Sign up now! The early entry deadline is February 4. Registration will close and draws will be locked on February 21. If you would like to play, but need a partner….no problem! Email [email protected]. Include your division and wall preference, and we'll do our best to match you up.

All players competing in the 2024 National Doubles will receive a customized Harrow M140 racquet valued at $235. We will have a Players Party and dinner reception on Saturday night! To find out more, visit the Tournament Website. Or, just Sign Up Now!

Call for Nominations for the Achievement Bowl and Sportsmanship Award

Each year, we ask the women’s squash community to nominate a woman deserving of either the Achievement Bowl or the Sportsmanship Trophy. Now is the time for nominations and we are looking for your nominations.

The Achievement Bowl, the oldest award in US Squash, is awarded to women who have made notable and profound contributions to the advancement of the women’s game.

The Feron’s Wedgwood Sportsmanship Trophy is awarded by the US Squash Women’s Committee to players who have shown exemplary sportsmanship on and off the court.

Past recipients can be found on the Women’s Awards page on the US Squash website. The last time the awards were given was in 2019, before the pandemic, to Molly Pierce receiving the Achievement Bowl and Pat Millman, receiving the Sportsmanship Award. We are excited to bring the tradition back!

The award selection process starts with your nominations, which are then presented to the US Squash Women’s Committee who then recommend award recipients to the US Squash Board of Directors for approval.

We will accept nominations through the end of February and then award recipients will be honored at the US National Women’s Masters and Skill Levels Tournament in Philadelphia during the weekend of April 12-14.

Women’s Squash Around the US - Community Spotlight - Columbus, OH

Alexia Clonda 

on 

Mindset, Negativity and Positivity, and Uplifting Others

A Player Profile by Migyu Kim

It’s the 1983 World Squash Open. Australia’s women’s national team is seeded 4th. Approaching the tournament as the underdogs, no one expected them to win. But they did. 

Team Australia bested Team England to secure the title. Playing the 2 seed for the team is none other than Alexia Clonda. 

The 1983 World Open was Clonda’s first time making the Australian team. In the individual category of the competition, Clonda entered as a low seed, only to achieve remarkable upsets to reach the semi-finals. Looking back on this cherished squash memory of hers, Clonda notes “for the team to depend on me twice was an honor. I do see it as a pressure, but it was for me. I was just showing what I was capable of doing.” 

Seeking Assistance for US Women's and Girls’ Squash Social Media



We're looking for individuals who can help create and post content on our Women's and Girls Squash Committee Instagram account.

If you have a knack for storytelling through visuals, an eye for design, or simply enjoy capturing the spirit of our events, we'd love to have your input. Whether you're a seasoned social media guru or just starting, your creativity and enthusiasm are what matter most.

If you're interested or if you have any questions, please reach out to Caitlin Bennett. Together, let's showcase the incredible experiences and achievements within our Women's and Girls' squash community.