ANC venue locked in until 2027

Queensland is set to be the home of the Australian National Championships for the next three years following an agreement between Squash Australia and City of Moreton Bay.

Having staged successful events on the PSA Tour for many years, Scarborough Squash Club will host the tournament from 2025 to 2027 at PCYC Redcliffe at Kippa-Ring.

Next year will mark the first time the event has been staged in Queensland since 2020, and it will be just the second time the ANC has been held at the same venue for three or more years in a row (Bendigo 2003-2006).

First staged 21 years ago, the ANC Honour Roll features the likes of former World No.1s Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Rachael Grinham along with Commonwealth Games medallists Kasey Brown, Donna Lobban (nee Urquhart), Dan Jenson, Cameron Pilley, Ryan Cuskelly and Zac Alexander.

Australia’s No.1 player Jess Turnbull will now have the opportunity to defend the national title in her home state, and in doing so she would become the first player to lift the ANC trophy four times.

Conversely, there have been four different champions in the past five years in the men’s draw, making for some enticing competition when the championships arrive in Redcliffe next year.

“Squash Australia is really excited to partner with City of Moreton Bay and bring the Australian National Championships to the region for the next three years,” said Tamika Hunt, Squash Australia General Manager, Events. “Knowing the tournament has a home through to 2027 gives the squash community certainty about the calendar moving forward.

“City of Moreton Bay has been a great supporter of squash over many years through its association with PSA Satellite events and we are proud to partner with them for one of the biggest events on the Australian squash calendar.”

Hunt said the open competition would see the best players in Australian squash go head-to-head with the popular graded competitions once again bringing the sport’s community together.

“The graded competitions we run alongside our major events provide the perfect opportunity to players of all levels to compete in a tournament against players of the same ability,” said Hunt. “The graded events are increasingly popular and continue to play a role in the growth of the ANC each year.

“These events will be held alongside other exciting community-focused activations to ensure the ANC delivers a legacy even after the trophies are lifted.”

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said he was thrilled that City of Moreton Bay will be hosting the national squash championships for the next three years.

“We know how important sport is to our community.

“That’s why Council invests in providing excellent sporting facilities and recreational activities across City of Moreton Bay.

“Our high-quality facilities ensure we can attract sporting events of this calibre that attract both players and visitors to our city.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring Australia’s best squash players, along with the rising stars of the future, to our beautiful city for the next three years,” said Mayor Peter Flannery.