Jr. Squash On The Rise

Author

Kyle Taylor
February 19, 2025

Welcome to RADL Wire. This week, we explore the increased participation in youth and junior squash programs. With grassroots programs, high-performance training, and increased sponsorship fueling its expansion, squash is poised for a bright future.

Then, we explore the latest industry headlines by looking at the numbers behind the rapid expansion of the racquet sports industry.

In today’s edition:

  • Junior Squash On The Rise

  • Pickleheads Close Seed Round

  • The Numbers Behind a Growing Racket Sports Market

SQUASH
The Rise of Junior, Scholastic, and Collegiate Squash

Squash is experiencing unprecedented growth at the junior, high school, and collegiate levels, with expanded access, new programs, and increased sponsorships fueling its rise. The 2025 CSA National and Club Team Championships and the US High School Team Championships highlight the sport's expanding reach. Initiatives like the National Interscholastic and the US Squash Junior High Performance Program (Junior HPP) provide more young athletes with elite training and competitive opportunities. Internationally, sponsorships such as PwC Isle of Man's support for junior squash further contribute to the sport's development. Meanwhile, accessibility-focused programs like SquashRx and Play Squash Academy are breaking barriers, making squash more inclusive for aspiring players.

While traditionally concentrated on the East Coast, squash is making significant strides in the West. The SoCal Squash and the Southern California Junior Squash League now offer the only official US Squash-sanctioned junior inter-club league in the region, with teams from Santa Barbara to San Diego. With last season's 14-team participation expected to grow, the momentum behind squash is undeniable. As the sport marks its 100th year in collegiate athletics, historian Rob Dinerman's A Century of Champions: 100 Years of College Squash reflects its storied past while showcasing its promising future.

Promo image for Dunlop FX Series Squash Racquets

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IN THE NEWS
See the latest headlines across the racquet industry

  • Pickleheads, the leading platform for pickleball players to connect and organize games, is excited to announce the closing of a $2.5 million seed round. This investment furthers their mission to enhance the on-court experience for players through technology.

  • Full Court Tennis: Virtual tennis coaching has never been easier to use since former Grand Slam champion Brian Teacher launched the improved and updated Full Court Tennis (FCT) website where players can connect with world-renowned coaches for virtual lessons, making tennis coaching easily accessible and affordable for everyone. For a limited time, Teacher has announced that players and coaches of any level can sign up completely free with no credit card required.

  • Spinerado is transforming the world of tennis apparel. Founded by young tennis athlete and Georgia native Connor Dell, Spinerado takes traditional tennis wear and infuses it with street culture's raw, rebellious energy. The popular brand is excited to introduce its new Coastal Collection for Spring/Summer 2025 including the Spinerado Patchwork Wave Hoodie.

  • StretchLab announced its official sponsorship of Major League Pickleball (MLP). In addition to its designation as Exclusive Preferred Stretch Partner, the partnership will run through the 2025 season and highlights StretchLab’s commitment to enhancing athletic performance, mobility, and recovery for both recreational and competitive athletes.

  • By The Numbers: The racket sports equipment market and it is set to grow by USD 878.6 million from 2025 to 2029. However, the growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period, according to Technavio.