From Welsh Junior Champion to Assistant Coach and Women’s Community Coordinator at Open Squash, Ciara Richards has built a career around squash. In this Q&A with Tor Gray, she shares what drives her passion and her vision for the women’s game.
Squash has clearly been a lifelong passion for you. What was it about the sport that kept you coming back to the court year after year — and ultimately inspired you to become a coach?
I started playing just before I turned five, and squash has been such a big part of my life—it’s given me travel, amazing friends, a scholarship at Drexel, and now my dream job at Open Squash in NYC. When I finished college, I wanted to stay connected to the sport and give back to the community that’s given me so much. Coaching lets me do that, especially for women and girls. I remember wishing I’d had more female coaches growing up, so being able to be that role model and make young players feel supported is really special to me.
What excites you most about Women’s Squash Week this year?
I’m really excited for our event at Open Squash! We’re hosting a Women’s Round Robin on Friday, September 19th, and all levels are welcome. There’ll be all our female coaches on court, event t-shirts, food, and drinks—so it’s as much about building community as it is about squash. I also love seeing what other clubs around the country are doing; it’s a great opportunity for our network of coaches to learn from each other and so inspiring to see women’s squash thriving everywhere.
How do you see Women’s Squash Week helping to grow the Women’s game nationally and locally?
Women’s Squash Week really shines a spotlight on women in squash and highlights just how many are out there playing. Seeing so many women involved encourages others to give it a try, especially those who might feel unsure about joining a male-dominated sport. Hosting women-focused events, sharing personal stories, and celebrating achievements helps create a supportive, inspiring environment that reaches far beyond a single club—it builds community both locally and nationally. It’s amazing to see women of all ages and skill levels connecting, learning from each other, and feeling like they truly belong in the squash world.
How has being a player yourself influenced the way you think about coaching and engaging others?
Being a player helps me understand that everyone brings more to the court than just their game. Life can be stressful, and competition can be nerve-wracking, especially for juniors. I try to make coaching fun and encouraging, so squash feels like a happy, inclusive space where people can grow and enjoy the game.
Can you share an example of a program or initiative that’s been especially successful in engaging women and girls at Open Squash?
Our monthly Women’s-Only Round Robins have been amazing! Players of all ages and levels come together, and after games, everyone hangs out, makes friends, and finds hitting partners. Over the summer, we also partnered with Maspeth Squash for an outdoor Round Robin, which was such a fun way to celebrate women’s squash in a new and exciting setting. Our International Women’s Day event had nearly 50 women in the club at once! Programs like these make women feel welcomed, appreciated, and part of a vibrant, supportive squash community.
Beyond our own programs, the Howe Cup is such an incredible experience—it’s the biggest women’s tournament in the world, and I love seeing women of all generations come together to compete and celebrate the game. It’s truly one of my favorite events of the year.
How can coaches and clubs better tailor their approach to encourage female players to stay in the game long term?
Having female coaches makes a huge difference in encouraging and inspiring women and girls to get on court. Hosting women-only events, running women’s tournaments, and celebrating players through newsletters and social media all help create a welcoming, encouraging community. When women feel seen, appreciated, and part of a supportive network, they’re much more likely to stay engaged in squash long-term. It’s not just about the sport itself, the social aspect plays a big part in retaining female players too.
What do you hope women and girls take away from their squash experience—beyond the game itself?
I would love it if women and girls could take away the knowledge and confidence that you can do hard things, and that you absolutely can enter male-dominated spaces, and thrive whilst doing so. Squash is for everyone, and being able to hold your own in a sport as a woman, especially, is a big deal, and should give people all the confidence in the world that they can do the same thing outside the court.
If you could share one message with women considering trying squash for the first time, what would it be?
Just try it! You never know how much of an impact something can have on your life until you give it a go. If I had never stepped foot on a squash court 20 years ago, I would have never ended up in NYC! You’ll never know until you try!