We recently learned of the passing of Jorge Guevara, a longtime LAAC employee and squash advocate. In addition to stringing countless squash rackets, Jorge was the Handball Coordinator for LAAC’s Handball Court Fit Class during the 1980’s!

School is out! Juniors can think about enrolling in these local summer squash camps: LA Squash Academy Junior Elite Squash Camp with Hadrian Stiff June 20-July1, Access Youth Academy Fun Squash Camp July 11-13,18-20, and 25-27, LA Squash Academy Summer Camp June 13-August 19, and Access Youth Academy Elite Pre-Tournament Camp August 1-4.

Finally, we give a big hello to our two new Junior Board Members – Abigail Alemayeho and Jesus Arriaga - who will work with us to strengthen our communication efforts across SoCal. In this newsletter we present Jesus (pictured above), a sophomore at Laguna Blanca School, a member of Santa Barbara School of Squash (SBSOS), and a recent member of the TEDx Laguna Blanca Curation Team. Welcome!

Jonathan Club in Los Angeles hosted the SoCal Squash Classic Pro Mixed Doubles Tournament on April 1st-3rd. The event, sponsored by Level Up with JD, featured 8 pro teams from the United States and Canada competing for $25,000 in prizes. This was the first Mixed Pro Doubles tournament to take place on the West Coast!

Viva Las Vegas! Join Santa Barbara School of Squash from 5-10PM on Sunday, June 5th at 1114 Sports Bar & Games in Downtown Santa Barbara’s La Arcada Plaza for a night of entertainment with dinner, music, gaming tables, live auction, and more. Non-attendees can also go online to join in the fun via an online auction and make Fund-A-Need donations.

It is with sorrow that we report that Coach Bob Hanscom, longtime Squash Pro at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Founder and Director Emeritus of the Los Angeles Squash Academy, and a trailblazing leader of our SoCal squash community, passed away on May 31st. Bob was honored by Squash Magazine as one of the Top Fifty: The Most Intriguing and Influential People of 2016.

Access Youth Academy hosted the Access Spring Bronze Tournament on April 30th. Over 50 players from across SoCal participated, including over 25 Access Youth Academy players – of whom many have been playing squash for less than a year!

Looking back for a moment, we came across two impressive tomes chronicling the life of squash in the region, one from 1972-73 from Past President John Dewis and one spanning the 90s decade (from Past President Alan Fox).

SoCal Squash is pleased to be an event partner for the upcoming Jonathan Clubs Pro Mixed Doubles Tournament from April 1st-3rd. The event will feature 8 teams from around the US & Canada, competing for $25,000 in prize money. This will be the first ever Mixed Pro Doubles tournament ever played on the West Coast!

Access Youth Academy’s 2021 high school graduates attend a variety of excellent colleges. The urban squash athletic and academic academy focused on underserved San Diego students has served close to 200 students.

Outdoor courts continue to gain momentum in Southern California. SoCal Squash’s Outdoor Courts committee is actively researching various material types and formats.

As of February 5th, LAAC squash Pro Brett Newton is back and ready to get players back in action with Squash Round Robins on Saturdays 9:30-11:30am and Tuesdays from 6:15-8:15pm.

Santa Barbara School of Squash (SBSOS) will soon be moving out of the Santa Barbara Racquet Club. Executive Director Robert Graham and his committee are working with the local YMCA to secure 2-3 racquetball courts, which would be converted to singles squash courts. 

South End Racquet and Health Club in Torrance hosted a 1 day invitational squash tournament on Saturday, November 20th, its first event in over 5 years.

On January 11th, Access Youth Academy was featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, shining a lens on how AYA is helping young people realize their potential.

LA Squash Academy’s 5th squash court, the Ed Brook Squash Court, was dedicated on December 6, 2021.

The Access Youth Academy Community Center in San Diego opened July 17th. The 21,000 sq. ft complex features seven singles courts…

What a match! Diego Elias from Peru (World Rank #8) vs. Miguel Rodriguez from Colombia (WR #11), battled it out after giving clinics to a select few…

While Covid-19 has made it more challenging to play our favorite sport, some members have adapted to outdoor play. With indoor play ramping back up…

We are thrilled to announce the formal launch of the SoCal Juniors program. Headed by Alex Reynolds, the league will begin intra-league competitions…