Like the other 38 District SRAs, the Florida Squash Racquets Association (FSRA) is the local arm of U.S. SQUASH. Florida Squash was founded 24 years ago in 1985 as a 501(c)(3) volunteer, not-for-profit and member-supported organization to promote awareness of the game of squash; to enrich the squash experience locally and statewide; to give Florida players developmental and competitive opportunities by sponsoring tournaments, clinics, and leagues; to enhance member’s health and well-being; and to provide a social and professional network. Periodically, FSRA hosts pro-exhibition matches, rules clinics, and intra-club competitions. Each year, FSRA sponsors major sanctioned tournaments in Boca Raton in February, May, August, and November—some pro-am, some amateur, and some including juniors. The November and February tourneys are particularly popular with out-of-towners because of the great Florida weather!
Florida is a big state covering 58,664 sq miles with squash facilities in 18 locations from Boca Raton to Tallahassee, and members in 41 cities throughout the state.
Compared to other SRAs, Florida’s membership is small with between one and two hundred members with a growing network of 150 league and ladder players, more than 100 registered users through the Florida website, and close to 100 squash enthusiasts and professionals on the newly formed Florida Squash Racquets Association’s Facebook group. One way FSRA recruits new members is a policy of giving a free FSRA/U.S.SQUASH membership to all first-time tournament players who pay the sanction fee. Additionally, FSRA promotes awareness at the Palm Beach Kids Sports Expo, through pro exhibition matches, and by way of newspaper articles in The Sun Sentinel. Florida players are a multicultural bunch. They stay connected and informed through the www.FloridaSquash.com web site (with off-shoots at www.MiamiSquash.com, www.TampaSquash.com, and www.OrlandoSquash.com ) and through the Florida Squash Racquets Association’s page on www.Facebook.com. But most of all, they stay connected through people—tournament directors like John Lively and Scott Fitzgerald and past presidents like Steve Grotowski who work tirelessly to provide developmental, competitive, and social opportunities; national level players like Fitzgerald, Stephen Hunt-Marriott, Petras Baniulis, Chloe Chemtob, and Brandon Lai who showcase their squash talents; and sponsors like Clifford Barr, Dennis Crowley, Dr. Douglas Barlow, and Kirk Colwell who consistently step up to the “T” with financial support.
Florida Squash is proud to be a people driven, member supported, all volunteer organization that transcends club affiliation, nationality, culture, age, and skill level. Bookmark www.FloridaSquash.
