Young talents build future of women’s squash in Australia

Squash Australia continues to celebrate Women’s Squash Week and champion the achievements of women in squash in Australia and around the world. 

Meet Maggie Goodman, a rising squash junior athlete from Sydney, NSW and former Australian Junior Champion in the U/15 Girls category. Now 16, Goodman has been playing squash since her dad introduced her and her siblings to the game when she was eight. 

“Even at such a young age, with atrocious hand-eye coordination, I loved it and I loved playing with my brother and sister,” Goodman said. 

The camaraderie of Australian junior squash keeps Goodman coming back even as she focuses on her studies and begins preparing for her Higher School Certificate (HSC). 

“It’s fun! We all know each other and always see each other at tournaments. 

“While COVID has made things difficult, I aspire to go to the World Juniors in Russia next year. At the same time I am quite focused on my studies and it will be a bit of a juggle to get through the HSC,” she said

Goodman doesn’t have a particular squash idol, but said the squash community is filled with many talented people and amazing women who paved the way for younger athletes to continue their development. One of these women is National Pathways Coach Jenny Duncalf who has given Goodman another perspective on her own squash.

“Jenny is an incredible coach and it has been great for me to learn from her. 

“She has suggested some changes that I'd never considered before. For example, she helped me incorporate my non-racquet-holding arm (my right one) into my swing, giving me better balance and adding power to the shot,” she said.

In June, Goodman was one of four junior athletes to compete in the Australian National Championships (ANC) PSA competition. The Championships gave Goodman an insight into what top-quality Australian squash looks like.

“I did find it a little intimidating, but also hugely fun!

“Playing against some of Australia's best female squash players at the ANC was an eye-opening experience for me. It helped me understand what level professional squash is played at and what it looks like. 

“Being on the court with exceptional women squash players was awesome and allowed me to see up close the effort and skill required to compete at the professional level,” Goodman said.

Goodman is also playing a part in encouraging new players to engage with squash. Sharing her love for the game, she has recently introduced two of her friends to squash by taking them down to the local courts. 

“With both of them, we met up at the courts, I gave them one of my rackets and we just had a hit around. 

“I think the most important thing when introducing someone to squash is keeping it light and fun. I would show them how to use all four walls and the angles, keeping the pace high, as that is really what makes people fall in love with the game. 

Both of these friends are very sporty and know how much I really like the game, so they were keen to give it a go,” she said.

Photos: Craig Stewart - Seize the Light Photography.