Squash Australia is pleased to announce that the Northern Territory will host the 2022 Australian National Squash Championships on 22-26 June at the Darwin Squash Centre.
It will be the first time the event has been held in Darwin and the first time the National Championships has been held outside the Eastern states.
Players and supporters coming to Darwin Squash Centre for Australia’s pinnacle squash event will be welcomed to a venue built-in 2012 to World Squash Federation standards with 12 glass back singles courts.
With the 2022 National Squash Championships taking place less than a month out from this year’s Commonwealth Games, which starts on 28 July, Squash Australia CEO Robert Donaghue said it’s a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of squash players.
“Squash Australia is delighted to be bringing the 2022 Australian National Championships to Darwin in what will be a first for the event,” Donaghue said.
“With under 119 days until the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase Australia’s best talent in the Northern Territory and for the local community to have the chance to watch them in their final event before Birmingham and become inspired to follow in their footsteps.
“We look forward to working with the Northern Territory Government and Tourism and Events Northern Territory to bring the event to the Territory for the first time.
“Congratulations to Northern Territory Squash and Darwin Squash Centre on their selection to host the National Championships. We are pleased to work with them and are looking forward to being at their fantastic facility in June,” Donaghue added.
The event, which will see the best players in Australia descend on the Northern Territory capital, will have graded divisions for both men and women from Premier grade to D grade as well as the addition of an Under 23’s men’s and women’s draw this year.
Northern Territory Government Minister for Sport Kate Worden said it was a great achievement for Darwin to host the Australian National Championships for the first time.
“This is a huge win for the Territory, with visitors from all corners of the country set to descend on the Top End for what is expected to be an incredible showcase of the nation’s best squash players,” she said.
“We look forward to welcoming players, including our own Australian top ranked Territorian Rhys Dowling, to Darwin in June, and showing off the very best of what the Territory has to offer.
“The Territory Labour Government is proud to fund this event, knowing the significant benefits it brings to the Top End by increasing visitation, supporting local businesses and giving Territorians the opportunity to enjoy professional sport in their own backyard,” she added.
Northern Territory Squash and Darwin Squash Manager Howard Halter are excited to have the chance to host the Australian National Championships for the first time.
“Showcasing the best of the Nations Squash Athletes including the Commonwealth Games team to our Members and the public is a highlight for SquashNT,” Halter said.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support from the Minister for Major Events and the Northern Territory Government,” he added.
Alongside the tournament, Squash Australia will also be offering referee development opportunities at the event with several referee activities across the five-day event.
Get your entries in for the 2022 National Squash Championships here.
