Fitz-Gerald backs equity on International Women’s Day

From Heather McKay to Michelle Martin and Rachael Grinham, Australia has been fortunate to be home to some of the greatest female squash players in the history of the game.

Amongst our greatest is Sarah Fitz-Gerald, who continues to play a leading role not just in the women’s game - but the sport as a whole - just as much now as she did as a teenager. 

After winning the Junior World Title as an 18-year-old in 1987, Fitz-Gerald’s place in the game has extended beyond her playing career which was incredibly successful: five-time World Champion, seven-time World Team Champion, Commonwealth Games gold medallist - and too many more achievements to mention.

Even before hanging up the racquet, Fitz-Gerald was interested in the administrative side of the sport, and has held numerous positions domestically and internationally. Presently she serves as President on the board of Squash and Racquetball Victoria and has a keen eye on the 2023 Junior World Championships in Melbourne, the very event for which she held aloft the trophy 36 years ago.

“My own personal drive certainly helped me succeed as a player and led to those roles and positions I've held within the squash world,” said Fitz-Gerald.

As someone who has seen the game develop on and off the court over almost four decades, Fitz-Gerald is proud of how her sport has moved the women’s game forward.

“Squash has grown so much since my time,” she said. “The World Squash Federation President is female, until recently Squash Australia President was female. The PSA has pushed for so much equity for our female players and commentators.

“It’s great to see and those women have grown into such great ambassadors too.

“In recent years I have seen a lot of roles being filled by strong and capable women. They have the knowledge and experience and have earned it.”

When it comes to the key theme of International Women’s Day being embracing equity, Fitz-Gerald has two simple words to highlight what that means to her: “Being seen.”

“Having people and the squash public realise and remember an airfare costs the same whether your are male or female. A meal at the pub costs the same.

“Physio, coaching lessons, injuries; understanding the time, effort, emotions that go into achieving your goal costs the same.

“And it’s great to see that is being acknowledged now through prize money and media exposure.”