Scottish squash to benefit as Glasgow gets nod

The announcement that Glasgow is to hold the 2014 Commonwealth Games means that Scottish squash should receive a much needed boost.

The existing Scotstoun Stadium and Sports Centre will host the men's and women's squash, with investment ploughed into the venue to ensure it meets an acceptable standard.

The Games website claims that:

"The existing tennis courts will be transformed into the table tennis arena and new squash courts will be built. This venue is already famous for the atmosphere it generates during competitions, with our planned upgrades, this will only get better."

Squash in Scotland has suffered in recent years due to the retirement of players like Martin Heath, Pam Nimmo and Peter Nicol (following his move to England).

Scanning the junior events in the news, it also appears that players are not coming through at the same rate as in previous years at junior level. At the European U19 Championships in May, Scotland did not enter any players in the individual events.

Scottish Squash do however have their own National Junior Excellence Programme. It will be interesting to see if the prospect of playing in their own country in the Commonwealth Games inspires those who receive funding to emulate the successes of the aforementioned pros.

Photo courtesy of Designhive/Glasgow 2014.

2014 Commonwealth Games