US Squash has announced Portland Community Squash (PCS) as the second facility to be accredited as an official US Squash Community Affiliate. The Community Affiliate initiative begins the process of developing more formal relationships with key regional facility partners that are closely aligned with US Squash's mission of promoting squash's growth and development by increasing access and awareness, supporting meaningful lifelong engagement in the sport, and encouraging sportsmanship while achieving competitive excellence.
 
Community Affiliates conduct US Squash programs and activities to build the sport, inclusive of junior scholastic squash team programs, junior squash grassroots development and high-performance programs, squash and education programs, adult squash development, and accredited leagues, ladders, and tournaments. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Barrett Takesian, PCS President and Senior Executive Director, and US Squash have now come together to provide professional expertise to accelerate the launch of more affiliates. In the role of Senior Advisor for Community Programs, Takesian will focus on improving access, equity and integration within the sport.
 
During the June 2020 US Squash Board of Directors meeting, the board elected Soo Venkatesan as its 47th Chairman of the Board. Her term commenced July 1st, and she succeeds Mark Pagon, who retired from the board as the fourth chairman to serve more than three years.
 
 
For the first time, junior squash high school graduates and their families have united to create the US Squash Senior Class Gift Initiative. The Class of 2020 Gift campaign exceeded initial expectations by raising more than $100,000.  
 
US Squash has been recognizing the members of the high school Class of 2020 in an ongoing series where student athletes reflect upon their experiences in junior squash. The fourth installment of the series is available now.  
   
 
As part of the planning process for the return to play and competition, US Squash is working with constituent groups from across the community to ensure that play is resumed as safely as possible. 
 
US Squash, the College Squash Association (CSA), and Squash & Education Alliance (SEA) have formed a working group to coordinate short-term responses to challenges posed to college squash by COVID-19, and to build plans to expand and diversify varsity playing opportunities in the future.
 
US Squash has added updated information for players and facilities under its COVID-19 resources. New guidelines include recommendations on mask use, facility ventilation, and processes for facilities should an infection of a player or staff member occur.
 
Practice your officiating skills with the #CallOfTheWeek series. Watch the clip and vote for your call on Twitter or on the Call of the Week page.  
 
 
 
This month's Outside The Glass podcast features John Massarella. He had never seen a squash court until he was thirty-eight years old but now the Englishman is one of the top referees in the world. Here's his story.
 
If you value the momentum that US Squash has helped build for the sport, please join or renew your membership today to allow us to maintain the infrastructure that will be needed to move squash forward and be ready when we can all once again step on court together.

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