An All-In Approach to Squash with Arthur Gaskin, Brown University Head Coach

Here at Open Squash, we're dedicated to bringing the best of the sport to our community, and that includes learning from incredible figures like Arthur Gaskin. As the Head Coach for Men's Squash at Brown University and a featured expert at our Advanced Summer Camps for juniors, Arthur brings a wealth of experience, passion, and an inspiring "all-or-nothing" philosophy to the sport.

We recently had the privilege of delving into his remarkable journey in a “Boast About It” interview, from a chance encounter with a squash racket to leading national teams and top university programs.

One of the most striking things about Arthur is his unwavering love for the game. At 40 years of age, he can "categorically and comfortably say that [he has] never worked a day in [his] life". This deep-seated passion has fueled a career that spans playing at the highest professional levels to coaching every stage of development, "from grassroots to high level high school players and on a professional level".

The Sport That Found Him

Arthur's entry into squash wasn't planned; it was, as his father romantically puts it, a sport that "found him.” At around 12 years old, he and a friend, both keen tennis players, needed a way to "keep [their] eye in" while their local tennis courts were being resurfaced. Squash presented itself as the alternative.

What immediately captivated Arthur was the sheer speed of squash compared to tennis. "I just loved how fast it was," he recalls, noting the "eight to 10 seconds between rallies," which "probably suited my personality as 12-year-old. Just get the ball, hit it."

He quickly became competitive among his peers in Ireland, making a significant leap in performance "Towards the end of under 17s and the beginning of under 19s". Arthur would go on to be Ireland's number one player for a decade, from 2009 to 2019, and an eight-time Irish National Champion.

The "All-or-Nothing" Professional Path

After his impressive junior career, Arthur faced a pivotal decision: college or professional squash. His parents initially encouraged a "dual career" path, suggesting he pursue a degree while still improving at squash, and then decide on a professional career after graduation. However, Arthur is an "all or nothing kind of person". He opted to commit fully to squash, driven by the desire "to see how good I could be". While the dream was to become a world champion, his ultimate goal, even at a young age, was simply "to see how good it could be and where that would take me".

At 18, Arthur moved to Nottingham in England to train, despite not having "a clue what [he] was doing". Without a team of coaches like some top players, he became incredibly self-reliant. He was "very observant, very curious how all these players were training," learning through "trial and error". He meticulously "documented everything [he] did down to a T," noting how he felt, where he gained benefits, and how different techniques combined. His primary goal was to "become the best athlete [he] could possibly become" so he could physically endure high-tempo matches and learn from the best players. He also learned extensively from ex-players and good high level club players, particularly Peter Marshall, who freely shared his vast knowledge. Nottingham was a hub for squash at the time, with notable players like John White, Simon Park, and Derek Ryan playing there.

The Realities of Life on Tour

Life on the professional tour was financially challenging, especially in the early years. Arthur describes it as "very tight and living off very little". He recounted walking into a bank at 18, declaring himself a professional sportsman, and initially securing a loan, though he jokes "it didn't take them long to figure out that they probably backed the wrong horse".

To make ends meet, he took on various odd jobs: "I'd pick up a day job, you know, on a construction site... And then I eventually started working behind the bar at the squash club, so that brought in a little bit of income in. I'd pick up a lesson or two here and there". A significant source of income and development came from playing for teams in the Northwest counties and Yorkshire league in the UK, which he considered an "amazing" and "fun way to earn money.” This was also a crucial "apprenticeship," allowing him to play against experienced ex-professionals, rising young pros, and strong club players, constantly learning. Arthur played on the PSA World Tour for 14 years, winning four titles and reaching a career-high world ranking of World No. 60 in June 2009. He also represented Ireland in 106 caps at multiple European and World Championships.

A New Chapter: Coaching in the USA

Arthur's transition from full-time player to coach in the U.S. began after an injury and a realization that his current lifestyle wasn't sustainable. He had previously connected with a family during his U.S. tours, coaching their children after school and using their home as a "satellite" base for his travels. In August 2013, he officially moved to the U.S. as a private coach. This move proved to be incredibly successful, leading to valued, long-lasting relationships.

His journey in the U.S. soon connected him with the establishment of new squash courts at Moses Brown School in Rhode Island. This facility was built in partnership with SquashBusters, an urban youth enrichment program pioneered by Greg Zaff, which aims to use squash as a vehicle to open doors. This collaboration created a brand-new 12-court facility, with dedicated time for SquashBusters and Moses Brown school programs, and the remaining "dead court time" led to the creation of a community squash club, PVD Squash, where Arthur has served as the head pro and Moses Brown Squash Director since the opening of the center.

Leading Brown University Squash and Squash Ireland

Arthur's involvement with Moses Brown and PVD Squash naturally led to his appointment as the Head Coach for Men's Squash at Brown University in October 2021. While the program was recategorized from varsity to club in 2020, Arthur is resolute in his commitment to setting "the bar high" and holding players "accountable to high standards". He believes that even as a club team, they can uphold the long-standing tradition of Brown Squash. Under his leadership, the Brown men’s team achieved back-to-back National Titles in 2023 and 2024, and he also coached the women’s team to a U.S. National Title in 2023.

Adding another significant role to his impressive portfolio, Arthur was recently appointed as the Head Coach of Squash Ireland in October 2024, a part-time role he began on November 1st. This appointment is a key part of Squash Ireland's High Performance Strategy for the LA 2028 Olympic cycle. Despite the geographical challenges of operating transatlantically, Arthur embraces it, feeling he has "a lot of experience that I can part with" to help talented Irish players reach their full potential. He views it as a "very exciting time" for Irish squash.

The Joy of Multiple Gears

Despite his numerous high-level roles with the university, community, junior programs, and now the Irish national team, Arthur truly embodies his initial statement about never working a day in his life. He finds joy in operating at "different gears," with the constant change of focus being a way to "recharge". His coaching philosophy is rooted in a "love for the sport complemented with a passion for an individual's improvement and to help students reach their potential". He has a track record of coaching "some of the top juniors in the world," including multiple U.S. national and junior open champions, and has guided a top female player from 48th to 20th in the PSA World Rankings.

Arthur even finds time to keep his own hat in the ring as a player, competing in the World Masters. He recently reached a heartbreaking final in the 35+ age group in Amsterdam, losing to an Egyptian opponent. While the upcoming World Masters in Perth, Australia, might conflict with his university team priorities, his dedication to the sport remains undeniable.

Arthur Gaskin's journey is a testament to passion, dedication, and an "all or nothing" approach to life and squash. His expertise and inspiring story make him a fantastic addition to the Open Squash family, and we are thrilled to have him leading our Advanced Junior Squash Camps, offering our campers the chance to learn from a true expert in the game. Come experience his passion and insight firsthand!

And thanks for sitting down with us for an interview, Arthur.