Proper staffing is essential to running a successful tournament. PLANNING AHEAD— including training your team and confirming with US Squash — will set you up for a smooth event.
KEY STAFFING REQUIREMENTS:
CLEAR TASK ASSIGNMENT:
Each staff member must have clearly assigned responsibilities to ensure every area of the tournament is covered efficiently — from player check-in to refereeing to venue management.
VOLUNTEERS: Consider creating a committee of volunteers at your club to help with the non-squash elements, like checking in players and handing out tournament gifts.
MATCH SUPERVISORS: Use your coaching team as match supervisors. A match supervisor need to have high knowledge of squash so they can help with squash issues as well the running of the event.
- Checking the courts are on time.
- That players are there to referee the next match on time.
- That warm-ups are fair (2 shots and over) and only 4 minutes long.
- Assisting with refereeing if needed.
- Ideally 1 court supervisor per 3 courts.
- Checking that iPads have enough battery.
- Checking if squash balls need to be changed. We recommend a ball change on each court at least every 3 hours, though you should replace a ball sooner if a player requests, especially in the older age groups.
SAFE SPORT TRAINING:
All tournament staff — including pros, referees, and tournament desk volunteers — must complete SafeSport Training.
(This includes either the full course or the refresher, as appropriate.)
STAFFING PLAN SUBMISSION:
Tournament Directors must send their full staffing plan to US Squash by the tournament registration deadline.
CLUB PROS AND COACHING:
Venue club pros may only coach at their home tournament if they are not part of the tournament staff.
Coaching participants from your program can present a conflict of interest, so not allowed.
ONSITE TRAINER: We strongly recommend having a trainer on site throughout the duration of the tournament.
REFEREEING: Supervising that players are doing an appropriate job of refereeing and focusing fully on the match. Please try to organize ahead of time to have referees for the first matches of the day and try to have an official referee or pro to referee the main semis and finals.
