Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

bendi36 · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:53 pm Post subject: Improvement in squash

Yes I should post the following in improvement but I find general chat gets more comments. I think everyone should post one original idea on how to improve squash then leave positive feedback on the person before hand. I think that if owners charged for unlimited use yearly at about 150 dollars then continued getting income from shoe and racket hire, then more income from players finding it fun and joining fixtures courts would get more money and more people would play. Also if squash got more tv coverage it would be great. Maybe negogiate some matches on free to air TV in the US England Australia etc. where a popularity bloom could happen. Don't ask for any fee's straight up from stations just let it air for free and in time ask for money. I'm sure the ABC or SBS would agree to let matches go on the air. Even better if someone bought the rights to some of the matches from squash live (best quality) and then allowed those to be shown like once a wk on tv it would do wonders for the game.
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If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

I really do not think that price is a major issue. Depending on where you live, it can be very cheap (Egypt for example) or very expensive (US for example). A lot has to do with accessibility. Here in the US, for the most part you have to be a member of a private club, which costs money, so it is only perceived as a rich man's sport in this country. Some of these clubs are not easy to join, either. A lot of places in the US do not have the luxury of public courts where you do not have join to play.

I think a big piece of the puzzle is marketing. Showing tournaments on television is one thing, but if the people do not know what it is, why would they watch it? You have to market it to them first. Tell them about it, tell them how they can play, where, the benefits, etc. A marketing strategy needs to be designed by each association since each country's dynamics are different. No point marketing the same way in England as in the US. You have to spark an interest in the people before you can expect them to take to the courts. Associations could to organize "open day" with clubs, advertise them, get schools involved, club pros... I am sure there are numerous things to do. The recent WSF "World Squash Day" was a complete farce. All they did was name a date, did they expect all clubs around the world to suddenly fill up with squash players? It all takes three things. 1. Money. 2. Time. 3. Effort. Considering that most associations I have had experience with have all the 'number 2' in the world, they all seem to have a remarkable lack of number 1 and 3.

bendi36 · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:48 am Post subject:

That's a good point. And I agree with open days and marketing but how can you expect anyone to join and play a new sport that'll cost them an absurd amount of money when they can go kick a football in the park for free.
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If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

I suppose it all depends on what you think 'absurd' amounts of money is. Sure, kicking a footy in the park is free and there is nothing to ever stop you doimg that. But, it's what you choose to spend your disposable income on. If you go out on a Saturday night with your mates, spend $100 on booze, is that accetpable to your lifestyle? (That's a rhetorical question.) To me, that would be absurd and a complete waste of money, to others it's a weekly ritual that they put money aside for. That $100 could be better put to use with a squash club, membership, lessons, or whatever else. Just like a hobby. People put money aside and spend it on hobbies. Why can't squash become a 'hobby' for more people? Market it, promote it, advertise it, encourage it.

Mad Dog · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject:

I would say it is important to now have a club website.

There are people out there wanting to play squash and the first place anyone looks for anything these days is on the internet.

Since we started our club website we have picked up over 20 new members in about a year. This might not seem like a lot but every little helps! Wink

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

That's a great example. Club websites are very important. Better if they are interactive. Members should be able to book their own courts, see rankings, in-house league results, check match history, read up on current events, register for activities / tournaments, etc.

It would be up to the club to make sure it is kept up to date, it is a fantastic tool for member retention, more than member recruitment. Although, there is no reason why member recruitment couldn't be a main goal.

Viper · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:26 am Post subject:

My god, if some clubs are only just now realising the importance of a web site,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, heaven help them Rolling Eyes

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........ Squash is a drug - and remember there is always someone better than you........

Flash · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:06 am Post subject:

bendi36 · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:14 pm Post subject:

www.cqsquash.com
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If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite

Mad Dog · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject:

Viper · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject:

Thats the point the site does not have to be cutting edge just keep it updated.
_________________
........ Squash is a drug - and remember there is always someone better than you........