Your Child’s First Squash Tournament: A Parent’s Guide

Your child has been learning squash, and now someone has mentioned entering a tournament.

It’s exciting—and it brings questions. Which event should you choose? How long will you be there? What happens if your child loses?

You don’t need to become a squash expert before tournament day. Start with an appropriate event, understand what’s expected, and help your child approach the experience with curiosity.

A useful first-tournament goal: learn how competition works, meet other players, and leave with something to build on.

Your tournament-day card

Copy this card into your phone’s notes, or print it and fill it in when the schedule is available. The blank spaces below are not online input fields.

1. Choose an event that fits your child

Start with your child’s coach or junior-program leader. If your child doesn’t have one, contact the organizer and explain their experience.

Ask:

• Is this suitable for a first-time competitor?
• Which division would provide appropriate matches?
• What skills and rules should my child know?
• Which days might our division play, and should we expect long gaps between matches?

Look for beginner-friendly or development events where available. A nearby event can make the first experience easier to manage.

Don’t choose by the name alone. Labels such as Bronze, Silver, and Gold belong to particular competition systems; they are not universal measures of difficulty.

Readiness isn’t about being certain your child will win. Discuss whether they can participate safely, manage basic scoring, and ask for help. Just as importantly, ask how they feel about trying.

A few terms you’ll hear

• Game: One part of a match.
• Match: The complete contest between two players, made up of games.
• Draw: The arrangement showing who plays whom and how the competition progresses.
• Marker: The official who announces the score and makes certain calls.
• Referee: The official who makes decisions on appeals, interference, and conduct.

One person may perform both officiating roles. Beginner events may also use adapted formats, so ask what applies. See the World Squash rules (PDF).

2. Check the details before registering

Read the official event page and confirm:

• Eligibility: The correct age or ability division and any entry restrictions.
• Registration: Any player account, membership, or forms required.
• Preparation: A referee course or other learning requirements.
• Costs: What the entry fee includes and the refund conditions.
• Acceptance: Whether registration confirms a place or puts your child on a waitlist.
• Timing: Entry deadlines and when match times will be published.

These requirements vary across events and governing bodies. Use the rules attached to your event rather than assuming every North American junior tournament works the same way. See US Squash junior policies and Squash Canada’s tournament policies matrix (PDF).

Before making non-refundable travel arrangements, confirm your child’s acceptance and the days they may need to play.

3. Pack for playing—and waiting

Pack together the evening before so your child knows what is in their bag.

• A familiar racquet, with the grip and strings checked.
• A spare racquet if available—or ask whether one can be borrowed.
• Approved squash protective eyewear that fits securely.
• Clean, non-marking indoor court shoes.
• Comfortable playing clothes and spare socks or a shirt.
• A water bottle and familiar snacks, following the venue’s food rules.
• A small towel and a warm layer.
• Any personal medication normally needed, with your usual care arrangements.
• A book, cards, or another quiet activity for waiting time.

Check that the eyewear meets the event’s accepted requirements. Ordinary glasses are not a substitute for approved squash eye protection. Keep it on during on-court warm-ups as well as matches. See US Squash participation policies and Squash Canada’s eye guard policy (PDF).

You don’t need an entirely new equipment collection. Check what your child already has and ask the club about suitable loan equipment.

4. Make the day easier to navigate

Follow the organizer’s arrival instructions, allowing time to park, check in, find the court, and complete your child’s usual warm-up.

At the desk, it is completely reasonable to say:

“This is our first tournament. Is there anything we should know before the first match?”

Check the latest schedule rather than relying only on an earlier screenshot. Confirm the venue too, particularly if the event uses multiple facilities.

Help your child identify where to wait and who to ask for assistance.

Don’t pack up immediately after a loss. Further matches may follow, and players may have marking or refereeing duties. At US Squash accredited junior events, officiating is part of participation. Confirm responsibilities before leaving the venue. See US Squash junior policies.

If your child is nervous about officiating, tell the organizer early and ask what support is available.

5. Be a calm, helpful presence

Agree on one or two manageable goals together. They might be remembering the score, asking for help, or treating an opponent respectfully.

Ask what support your child would like. Some want a quick conversation before playing; others prefer space.

During the match:

• Encourage respectfully and acknowledge good play from both players.
• Save coaching advice for permitted breaks between games—not between rallies.
• Follow the event’s rules about who may coach.
• Raise concerns through the appropriate tournament official rather than arguing from the gallery.

World Squash’s rules permit coaching during matches only in the intervals between games. See Appendix 6 of the World Squash rules (PDF).

If your child becomes unwell or injured, tell an official and seek appropriate help. Completing a match is not more important than their wellbeing.

6. Leave room for the experience to settle

After playing and officiating responsibilities are complete, give your child a chance to eat, rest, or change the subject.

There is no need for immediate match analysis.

Later, when they are ready, you might ask:

• What did you enjoy?
• Was anything different from what you expected?
• What would help next time?

The day gives you both useful information about competition, its practical demands, and how your child feels about taking part.

The result is one part of the day. Learning how to participate is an achievement too.

Next steps

Explore the Junior Squash Hub tournament directory. For local beginner events, also ask your coach, club, or squash association.