Call for new board members
Want to get better connected to the squash community locally and across Southern California? We are looking for enthusiastic people (all ages, skill, and intensity levels) to join in our efforts to advance squash throughout Southern California.
SBSOS holds annual Fundraiser
Santa Barbara School of Squash (SBSOS) recently held their annual fundraiser, Viva Las Vegas, on May 7th. It was a fantastic night of entertainment with dinner, music, gaming tables, a silent auction and more! SBSOS is a non-profit dedicated to helping underserved students succeed in life through squash, education, and mentoring.
PlayLA is Heating Up
On behalf of SoCal Squash, we would like to thank all of the volunteer PlayLA Youth Squash Program coaches who have come out to help coach at the Chevy Chase and Pecan Park Recreation Centers. This program could not happen without you! A big shout out to Asish Law and Ellery Shapiro, two very dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer coaches who have consistently helped the program over the past season.
AYA welcomes new Executive Director
Access Youth Academy (AYA) recently welcomed Iago Cornes as the new Deputy Executive Director. A native of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Iago spent much of his childhood at his family's squash club then becoming a professional player and running an international squash program for 16 years.
JC holds successful Local World Open
On April 13-15, Jonathan Club hosted the Local World Open presented by Aristotle which offered $25,000 in prize money and featured 16 Professional Players from the US, Canada and Europe. Georgina Stoker was the highest ranked at # 3 in the world, Lauren West # 6, Victoria Simmonds # 9 and Julie Cerullo #10. The local team of Ivy Pochoda & Chloe Blacker took on Jaime Laird & Jackie Moss from Canada in a qualification match with the Canadian team emerging victorious.
‘22-’23 Junior Squash League recap
Another successful season for the SoCal Junior Squash League wraps. Congratulations to all the players on their amazing performances and for their display of great sportsmanship throughout the season! Over four weekends, there were 14 teams of 85 players who participated and over 550 individual matches played.
Looking at your summer plans?
This summer, take your game to the next level with this San Diego Squash Camp from July 17-21st at Access Youth Academy. All levels and abilities are welcome.
Junior highlight
Congratulations to 17-year-old BU19 player Milo Friedman of LA Squash Academy, who in December in Chicago became the first SoCal junior squash player ever to win a Junior Gold tournament! Congratulations as well to his teammate, 16-year-old Sophie Lee, who made it to the final of the same tournament in the GU17 division.
Two public squash courts in the works in La Jolla!
Greg Scherman of San Diego has been working for two years to bring public squash to La Jolla. La Jolla’s Rec Center Visioning Committee has approved this design, and the San Diego City Council approval is expected later this year.
Don’t miss the Equinox Orange County St. Patrick's Day Squash Tournament
Come out and enjoy this not-to-be-missed event held at the Orange County Equinox on March 18-19! The Equinox St. Patrick’s Spectacular is great fun and open to both adults and juniors.
PlayLA kicks off 2023 with gusto!
The PlayLA Youth Squash Program, a joint effort between SoCal Squash, US Squash, and the City of Los Angeles’s Department of Parks and Recreation, held its first weekly clinic for the year in early January at Chevy Chase Rec Center.
Access Youth Academy to Launch Urban Squash program in Los Angeles
Access Youth Academy, which has been serving low income youth for 16 years in San Diego using squash and academics, announced the launch of a new location in Los Angeles beginning in Fall 2023.
SoCal initiative PlayLA featured in US Squash’s Digital Drive
Earlier this month, in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Parks and Recreation and SoCal Squash, US Squash launched a youth squash initiative hosted in outdoor parks.
SoCal Junior Squash League looking for title sponsor(s)
Now is a great time to get involved with the Southern California Junior Squash League. The League is looking for a title sponsor (or sponsors) to endow the league for the current season and in years going forward.
SoCal Squash’s inaugural Women and Girls Squash event!
In celebration of US Squash’s Women's Squash Week, SoCal Squash sponsored a Women and Girls Squash event on September 16th at LA Squash Academy (Arroyo Seco Racquet Club in South Pasadena).
Support SoCal Squash on Nov 29th
#GivingTuesday is next week! On November 29, consider making a gift to help fund the many great initiatives we have planned for 2023. Donations can be made anytime online here. They are tax deductible and don’t forget your employer’s matching dollars. Thank you!
UCLA Squash Club team looks to expand
Collegiate squash is integral to any squash network. We're lucky to have the UCLA Squash Club team working hard to get out there and represent LA Squash on a national level!
Inaugural PlayLA youth squash program to kick off this October. Sign up now to become an instructor!
US Squash, in collaboration with SoCal Squash, is seeking LA-area squash players interested in becoming instructors in an exciting program that will introduce squash to middle-school kids in local parks through the PlayLA Youth Sports Program.
Welcome SoCal Squash Student Trustee
A big welcome to another one of our new Junior Board Members Abigail Alemayeho. Abigail recently graduated from Preuss School UC San Diego and is a freshman at Stanford University. As a high schooler, she started playing squash through the Squash + Education Alliance (SEA) program at Access Youth Academy (AYA) in San Diego and began competing in tournaments in 2019.
Junior League Back in Season
SoCal Junior League is back for the 2022-2023 season. The league is open to all ages and abilities and will feature 6-player teams from San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara across A, B, and C divisions.