National Capital Squash (NCS), previously known as the National Capital Squash Racquets Association (NCSRA), is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, whose mission is to administer, develop and grow squash in Metropolitan Washington, while advancing outreach to the local community.
National Capital is of the four largest U.S. SQUASH District Associations, with 15 clubs and over 400 members in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. Board representation includes men, women and a junior player from a cross section of member clubs. The NCS core activity and interest is centered on winter and summer leagues. There are five Men’s Divisions, as well as a Women’s League. Total participation in leagues encompasses about 150 players. Every team must have at least one certified referee on board, and every match must be refereed.
The vibrancy of D.C. area squash is exemplified by high quality courts in high schools like Episcopal and Potomac, two major urban squash programs, and a growing list of popular tournaments. The competition also includes the Women’s annual Howe Cup, a long-standing annual rivalry dating from the 1940s between Washington and Baltimore, and the recent addition of the Capitol Area as a venue for PSA and WISPA professional squash tournaments.
There are two urban squash programs in the Metropolitan area, The DC Squash Academy, led by new program director Mark Lewis, former No. 2 ranked player in the U.S., and SquashEmpower, founded in 2004 and led by Executive Director Connie Barnes, a certified coach who played competitive squash at the state grade level in Australia for 20 years before moving to DC in 2002. Both organizations are growing at a healthy pace, and it won’t be long before their “future stars” become the pride of inter-city competition!
DC tournaments are well known across the country. The Woodruff Nee, Potomac Fever, Mosquito Open, Lucky Nick Open, and Slo Ball Snow Ball all have attracted top players. Every March for the past nine years, the temperature rises to a fury at the member-owned Potomac Squash Club, as the “Fever” gets underway on its three international courts in suburban Maryland. This tournament, famous for its Saturday night party as well as the intensity of the competition, has developed an “esprit-de-corps” that is second to none.
In 1948, U.S. Ambassador William H.G. FitzGerald initiated a competition between members of the University Club of Washington and the Maryland Club of Baltimore. Designed to stimulate competition, promote sportsmanship and enhance relationships among the players in the two cities, the annual event pits thirteen of the best players from each metropolitan area against one another. Unbelievably, the event has been held for 60 consecutive years, making it the longest running such competition in the U.S.
Washington professional squash coaches include Brian O’Hora, Natalie Grainger, Mark Lewis, Ian Brown, Shahid Khan, Hunt Richardson, Howard Day, Wendy Lawrence, Larissa Stephenson, Maura Myers, Ghirma Meres, Connie Barnes, Bob Kyffin, Jonathan Lam, and Rod Barnes. These pros support and train the juniors, men, and women, organize tournaments run the camps, clinics and urban squash programs with excellence and motivation. Starting in 2002, the D.C. area has hosted professional squash tournaments sanctioned by the WISPA and PSA, as well as exhibition matches featuring former World no.1 Peter Nicol, and World top 10 players John White, Ong Beng Hee, and Chris Walker.
National Capital Squash not only boasts top international professionals and coaches, but has produced its fair share of U.S. SQUASH National Champions, including Dan Dudas, John Weissenfluh, Grainger, Bettina Aten and Carole Grunberg. NCS has recently welcomed Michelle Quibell, former two-time intercollegiate champ and a member of the U.S. Pan American squad.
Washington has a cadre of 50 squash referees certified at Club level or higher, including two national and five regional referees. Seminars and clinics are periodically held to remind people of the value of knowing the rules, and to promote fair and enjoyable play.
National Capital Squash is optimistic about the future growth and development prospects for squash in the DC community for many years to come. Both the private sector and schools continue to add quality new squash courts as demand and interest revs up. The Association members and Board are building a renewed, strong belief in their respect for each other and for TIA (Transparency, Integrity and Accountability). All subscribe enthusiastically to the 3 Ss of the Cardinal Pillars of Squash—Sportsmanship, Spirit and Sacrifice.
All Aboard—On to the Next Level.
