Women's Squash makes comeback with historic blitz event in West Mayo

Westport Squash Club will host a milestone event for women's squash in Connacht next Sunday, as 40 players from across the province gather for the first women's Blitz in years.

The tournament brings together competitors from across Mayo, Westport, Loughrea, Claremorris, Ballina, Sligo, and county Galway in what organizers hope will mark the revival of women's squash following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 40 participants will compete across five divisions of eight players each, with the event designed as a stepping stone toward establishing a regular women's squash league in Connacht.

Fiona Gallagher, a key organiser of the event, explained that the Blitz represents more than just a day of competition. "Our main aim is to get all the women from across Connacht squash clubs together and to have a bit of fun," she said.

"The whole idea of this is that we're getting women together playing squash," Fiona emphasised. “Hopefully, this event will be the first of many. We've brought six clubs together, with the aim of getting a league running throughout the season."

The transformation of women's participation in the sport has been remarkable. When Fiona joined Westport Squash Club fifteen years ago, she was the only female among 40 members. Today, the club boasts more than 50 women members.

Paul Bree, President of Connacht Squash, highlighted the broader significance of such inter-club events. "It's the inter club competition that drives a province. Everybody can stay in their own club bubble and play to their hearts content but the provincial scene only prospers when people from clubs actually play each other," he said.

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The Blitz represents the culmination of months of planning and coordination between the participating clubs, all working toward a shared vision of sustainable women's squash in the region.

With enthusiasm running high across all six clubs, next Sunday's event could mark a turning point for women's squash in Connacht, potentially establishing a foundation for years of competitive play to come.