She’s only just started in her new role, but already Australian squash great Sarah Fitz-Gerald has a whole heap of ideas how to make the sport she dominated for so many years even better.
Five-time world champion Fitz-Gerald has just been elected as one of four new vice-presidents of the World Squash Federation, wonderful recognition for an athlete who has devoted so much of her life to the sport.
The former world number one, and current world over 45 champion takes over at an interesting time for squash, as it tries to break into the Olympic program.
But Fitz-Gerald, who has already shown signs she’ll attack her new role with the same gusto as she displayed on the court, is looking at the bigger picture.
“Actually having on the board in me, a former player, a current masters’ competitor and coach who attends events, who communicates on a personal level with many players, I'm hoping I can bring a different perspective to the role,” Fitz-Gerald said.
“The Olympics is a major goal for our sport, but we need to have all aspects of the associations and regions working together better so the International Olympic Committee will want us in their program.”
Newly-elected WSF President, Jacques Fontaine, pledged to work to increase the profile of squash worldwide, and to lift grassroots participation.
It’s a process Squash Australia has been working on with extra fervour in recent years, giving Fitz-Gerald useful insights into the battles ahead.
“We have to raise participation levels again, and that means getting kids on court,” she said.
“Talent will come through when you have the numbers, which has been especially noticeable in Australia.”
One of the biggest challenges confronting Fitz-Gerald could well be re-igniting Australia’s passion for squash.
A country which once dominated the sport, and has produced some of the best male and female players ever, is going through a rebuilding phase at the moment.
Fitz-Gerald knows one of the biggest drawbacks – the facilities.
“People keep saying 'squash is dying’,” she said.
“But the truth is, there is nowhere to play, or the venues need to be brought into the 21st century. We need to make them 'inviting places' to play again.
“Prime examples are the lack and removal of venues in Commonwealth countries, yet in USA, Egypt and Poland participation levels and modern venues are on the increase.
“So many or Australia’s former players are coaching in USA or Europe. It would be great to give them reasons to come home and set up programs for our kids.”
Fitz-Gerald is also keen to look at ways to tap into some of the biggest changes to the game since her days as a player – television and social media.
“Television has taken massive steps forward with actually being able to see the ball and of course with the replays of rallies, referee decisions and close ups of the players,” Fitz-Gerald said.
“And social media has put a big spotlight on the players allowing them to connect with the public and their fans regularly.”
And of course, the appointment of Fitz-Gerald is an enormous coup for squash in Australia, which has recently revamped its senior and junior programs and is taking steps to return to the top of the world rankings.