PLAYER WELLBEING

WHAT WE DO...

HOW ARE WE SUPPORTING PLAYERS?

We are focused on making sure squash players, no matter the ranking, have somewhere to go if they are in need. We have spent time and resources providing talks and sessions revolving around health, wellbeing, the sustainability of squash careers and making players aware of their opportunities during and after their squash career.

During 2020 in response to the COVID-19 global crisis that had pitched many players into unexpected emotional and financial difficulties, we launched the ‘We Are One’ Player Hardship Fund. As well as ensuring all professional players make a return to Tour following it’s postponement, the ‘We Are One’ Fund will continue afterwards as an ongoing PSA Tour player hardship fund.

Our Health and Wellness Program brings together players from all across the tour to tackle the well-being challenges professional players face. They are key in the representation of player interests and champion mental health and much more.

We also partner with Sporting Chance, who provide 24-hour,one-to-one counselling is a form of talking therapy designed to move individuals forward to a place of balanced emotional wellbeing.

The 'We Are One' Fund

The ‘We Are One’ fund is a player-driven initiative which aims to bring the global squash community together to provide relief to the players that need urgent financial support. Inspired by the generosity of our squash community, the PSA Foundation and the PSA created the “We are One” fund, providing relief to those players whose basic well-being and possibility of returning to the tour are directly threatened.

“These funds have helped me to come back home. Most importantly, it has given me hope to continue training. I am very thankful to anyone who has contributed to this initiative. These are harsh times and solidarity is hard to find. I am sure your donations have eased pain. Rest assured that I am giving my 100 percent in order for me to display my best level of squash once we get back.” World No. 188 Miled Zarazua from Mexico.

“It really helped me trying to stay positive and motivated to train during these past months. It’s really hard to keep the head up when we struggle financially, so all the help we can get is welcomed at the moment.” World No. 73 Rui Soares from Portugal.

Mental Health Support for Players

These services are provided for current and retired professional squash players competing on the PSA Tour, fully funded by the PSA Foundation.

One-to-one counselling is a form of talking therapy designed to move individuals forward to a place of balanced emotional wellbeing.

To facilitate treatment, Sporting Chance has a large network of highly qualified and fully insured counsellors.

All the counsellors in their network operate within guidelines and principles established with Sporting Chance; some are ex-professional sportsmen or women who have trained as therapists or counsellors after retiring from sport.

Players Health and Wellness Program

The PSA Foundation provides a health and wellness programme which brings together players to tackle the well-being challenges on Tour.

Professional sport presents unique pressures for athletes and the aim for this programme is the players will spearhead a Tour wide effort to share struggles, advice, experiences and support each other.

This initiative is designed to provide an ongoing process of safeguarding the health and wellbeing of players on Tour.

At the PSA Foundation, we believe that there is no better people to help inform on the challenges of competing on Tour than the players themselves and the health and wellness programme is testament to that.

The programme will be formed of 13 players who will be ambassadors from different tiers of the PSA Tour.