World Squash Federation
Encyclopedia
The World Squash Federation (WSF) is the international federation
for squash
, an indoor racquet sport
which was formerly called "Squash rackets."
It is based in Hastings
in England. As of 2009 it has 147 member federations. It is bidding for squash to be added to the Olympic
program for the 2016 Summer Olympics
.
The first squash court was built in England in 1864; there are now around 50,000 courts in more than 185 nations worldwide. To harness this growth and to promote and co-ordinate the sport, the International Squash Rackets Federation (ISRF) was formed in 1967, its name being changed in 1992 to the World Squash Federation (WSF).
The WSF is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the International Federation (IF) for squash. The WSF is a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).
MEMBERSHIP
The WSF has 135 Members, all of whom are National Associations of squash, recognised by their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry of Sport as the sole and undisputed governing body for the sport in the country. Members are required to join one of the five Regional Federations which are an integral part of the WSF structure. Members receive a number of votes to be used at General Meetings depending on the number of squash courts in their country.
MANAGEMENT OF THE WSF
The WSF is managed by a Management Committee (ManCom), responsible for day-to-day control of the Federation and an Executive Committee (ExCo) which assists ManCom in the strategy and policy making process. Members of ManCom are elected at General Meetings and consist of a President and three Vice-Presidents, who each serve two year terms of office. One additional Vice-President may be co-opted on an annual basis if required.
ExCo comprises all members of ManCom plus one Regional Vice-President appointed by each of the five Regional Federations. The Chairman of the Athletes Commission and representatives of PSA and WISPA are members of ExCo.
ManCom is supported by a number of Committees, Commissions and Panels whose members are volunteers with specialist knowledge coming from the Regional Federations and Player Associations. The WSF employs professional staff who are responsible for implementing the decisions of these bodies whose main activities are described below.
The WSF works closely with the two Player Associations – the (Men’s) Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) – to control and co-ordinate the world calendar for squash. Championships are held in all major squash playing nations and are integrated with the World Championships and Major Games calendar to ensure that there are no clashes of dates.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND MAJOR GAMES
The Championships Committee is responsible for running and promoting World Championships for men, women, juniors and masters at individual and team levels in both singles and doubles. World Championships are run by WSF Members, who tender for the events at least four years in advance. Team Championships are held every two years; and Open/Individual Championships are held annually. The Committee is also responsible for ensuring that squash is represented in all major regional multi-sport games – squash is now included in the Pan-American Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Games and All Africa Games.
OLYMPIC GAMES
The WSF has established an Olympic Games Committee which is responsible for conducting a high-profile campaign for squash to be accepted as a full medal sport in the Olympic Games.
ATHLETES COMMISSION
The Athletes Commission comprises four representatives from PSA and four representatives from WISPA. The Chairman, an athlete, reports to ExCo and represents the interests of the current players in areas such as Championship Regulations and implementation of the new WADA Code.
DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING
The WSF encourages the development of squash, not only in countries where it is a new sport but also where it is already well-established. Advice on all development matters is given to Members and is implemented through the group of WSF specialists in the Development and Coaching Committee and via “best practice” on the WSF website. Committee Members identify needs for development projects in their regions and recommend activity plans to the WSF for resources and funding. The Committee organises a Coaching Conference on a biennial basis and runs coaching courses in new and developing squash nations to help develop local coaches. The Committee also organises a Management Conference for senior executives in National Associations so they can network, share resources and establish best practice on the WSF website.
REFEREES AND RULES
The Referees and Rules Committee has responsibility for implementing and running a Referees’ Programme which trains, accredits and assesses the top grade WSF Referees. A Referees Conference is organised on a biennial basis. A Rules Sub Committee continually monitors the rules of the sport and makes recommendations for change. It also provides a very popular on-line advisory service (called “Ask Don”) to the public at large on interpretation of the rules.
COURT AND EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
The Technical Committee sets standards for all technical aspects of squash including court construction, rackets, balls, eye protection and clothing. It inspects and accredits court components which meet the specifications and works with its partner companies to promote good practice in court construction worldwide.
ANTI-DOPING
The Anti-Doping Commission ensures that squash is fully compliant with the new WADA Code. The Commission is responsible for establishing a Registered Testing Pool and an Athletes Whereabouts System for out-of-competition testing. It has established a panel of physicians which reviews Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) and calls on specialist Doping Hearing and Review Panels when required.
MEDICAL
The Medical Commission generates positive guidelines for all medical aspects of playing and training for squash. It identifies and gives medical advice on topics such as eye protection, heart health, injury prevention and injury management.
ETHICS AND DISCIPLINARY MATTERS
The WSF has recently established an independent Ethics Panel at the suggestion of the IOC. It also has a well-established Disciplinary Committee supported by an independent Appeals Panel when necessary – fortunately this is called upon very rarely.
PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY
The WSF delivers an information and publicity service to squash players and the sports media worldwide. Press information is circulated regularly through the WSF’s Media Director, who is also responsible for ensuring that up-to-date information on World Championships and other major squash events appears on the WSF website.
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
for squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
, an indoor racquet sport
Racquet sport
Racquet sports are those where players use racquets to hit a ball or other object.-List of racquet sports:* Badminton* Ball badminton* Basque pelota** Frontenis** Jai alai* Beach tennis** Matkot* Bilbocatch* Frescoball* Lacrosse...
which was formerly called "Squash rackets."
It is based in Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
in England. As of 2009 it has 147 member federations. It is bidding for squash to be added to the Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
program for the 2016 Summer Olympics
2016 Summer Olympics
The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, are a major international multi-sport event to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games, as governed by the International Olympic Committee...
.
The first squash court was built in England in 1864; there are now around 50,000 courts in more than 185 nations worldwide. To harness this growth and to promote and co-ordinate the sport, the International Squash Rackets Federation (ISRF) was formed in 1967, its name being changed in 1992 to the World Squash Federation (WSF).
The WSF is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the International Federation (IF) for squash. The WSF is a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).
MEMBERSHIP
The WSF has 135 Members, all of whom are National Associations of squash, recognised by their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry of Sport as the sole and undisputed governing body for the sport in the country. Members are required to join one of the five Regional Federations which are an integral part of the WSF structure. Members receive a number of votes to be used at General Meetings depending on the number of squash courts in their country.
MANAGEMENT OF THE WSF
The WSF is managed by a Management Committee (ManCom), responsible for day-to-day control of the Federation and an Executive Committee (ExCo) which assists ManCom in the strategy and policy making process. Members of ManCom are elected at General Meetings and consist of a President and three Vice-Presidents, who each serve two year terms of office. One additional Vice-President may be co-opted on an annual basis if required.
ExCo comprises all members of ManCom plus one Regional Vice-President appointed by each of the five Regional Federations. The Chairman of the Athletes Commission and representatives of PSA and WISPA are members of ExCo.
ManCom is supported by a number of Committees, Commissions and Panels whose members are volunteers with specialist knowledge coming from the Regional Federations and Player Associations. The WSF employs professional staff who are responsible for implementing the decisions of these bodies whose main activities are described below.
See also
- Asian Squash FederationAsian Squash FederationThe Asian Squash Federation was formed on November 29, 1980 at the suggestion of Pakistan and the "First Meeting of Squash Playing Nations of Asia", held in Karachi. The founder members were Bahrain, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.Pakistan provided the first...
- European Squash Federation
- Squash Federation of Africa
- Oceania Squash Federation
- Federation of Panamerica
Actions
WORLD CALENDAR OF EVENTSThe WSF works closely with the two Player Associations – the (Men’s) Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) – to control and co-ordinate the world calendar for squash. Championships are held in all major squash playing nations and are integrated with the World Championships and Major Games calendar to ensure that there are no clashes of dates.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND MAJOR GAMES
The Championships Committee is responsible for running and promoting World Championships for men, women, juniors and masters at individual and team levels in both singles and doubles. World Championships are run by WSF Members, who tender for the events at least four years in advance. Team Championships are held every two years; and Open/Individual Championships are held annually. The Committee is also responsible for ensuring that squash is represented in all major regional multi-sport games – squash is now included in the Pan-American Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Games and All Africa Games.
OLYMPIC GAMES
The WSF has established an Olympic Games Committee which is responsible for conducting a high-profile campaign for squash to be accepted as a full medal sport in the Olympic Games.
ATHLETES COMMISSION
The Athletes Commission comprises four representatives from PSA and four representatives from WISPA. The Chairman, an athlete, reports to ExCo and represents the interests of the current players in areas such as Championship Regulations and implementation of the new WADA Code.
DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING
The WSF encourages the development of squash, not only in countries where it is a new sport but also where it is already well-established. Advice on all development matters is given to Members and is implemented through the group of WSF specialists in the Development and Coaching Committee and via “best practice” on the WSF website. Committee Members identify needs for development projects in their regions and recommend activity plans to the WSF for resources and funding. The Committee organises a Coaching Conference on a biennial basis and runs coaching courses in new and developing squash nations to help develop local coaches. The Committee also organises a Management Conference for senior executives in National Associations so they can network, share resources and establish best practice on the WSF website.
REFEREES AND RULES
The Referees and Rules Committee has responsibility for implementing and running a Referees’ Programme which trains, accredits and assesses the top grade WSF Referees. A Referees Conference is organised on a biennial basis. A Rules Sub Committee continually monitors the rules of the sport and makes recommendations for change. It also provides a very popular on-line advisory service (called “Ask Don”) to the public at large on interpretation of the rules.
COURT AND EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
The Technical Committee sets standards for all technical aspects of squash including court construction, rackets, balls, eye protection and clothing. It inspects and accredits court components which meet the specifications and works with its partner companies to promote good practice in court construction worldwide.
ANTI-DOPING
The Anti-Doping Commission ensures that squash is fully compliant with the new WADA Code. The Commission is responsible for establishing a Registered Testing Pool and an Athletes Whereabouts System for out-of-competition testing. It has established a panel of physicians which reviews Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) and calls on specialist Doping Hearing and Review Panels when required.
MEDICAL
The Medical Commission generates positive guidelines for all medical aspects of playing and training for squash. It identifies and gives medical advice on topics such as eye protection, heart health, injury prevention and injury management.
ETHICS AND DISCIPLINARY MATTERS
The WSF has recently established an independent Ethics Panel at the suggestion of the IOC. It also has a well-established Disciplinary Committee supported by an independent Appeals Panel when necessary – fortunately this is called upon very rarely.
PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY
The WSF delivers an information and publicity service to squash players and the sports media worldwide. Press information is circulated regularly through the WSF’s Media Director, who is also responsible for ensuring that up-to-date information on World Championships and other major squash events appears on the WSF website.