Finding Community and Passion on the Squash Court with Ciara Richards

Ciara Richards, Assistant Coach and Women’s Community Manager at Open Squash, recently sat down for an interview to discuss her lifelong love of squash, her journey from Wales to the United States, and her passion for fostering the women’s squash community.

Ciara's squash journey began at a young age. "At four and three quarters, I would say,” she said. “Nearly 20 years." While she briefly considered going pro, she ultimately found her passion in college squash and coaching. "I love squash," she explained, "but the competing side was a little hard for me at times."

Her path led her to the United States, where she played college squash at Drexel University. "One big thing for me was I wanted to be in a city," Ciara recalled. "So, Philadelphia is a great city...and John White is an amazing coach." After college, she faced the challenges of finding a job as an international student. "It's really hard being international and trying to get a job in the U.S.," she admitted.

Ultimately, Ciara found her home at Open Squash, where she combines her love of squash with her passion for writing and community building. "I reached out through Instagram," she said, "being like, 'Hey, do you know if there's any jobs at Open Squash?'... I met everyone and pretty much just got offered the job." She now serves as Assistant Pro and Women's Community Manager, a role that allows her to nurture the women's squash community at Open Squash.

Ciara is particularly passionate about encouraging more women to play squash. "Just try it out," she advises women who are considering the sport. "You never know until you try... There's lots of other women and people that are just starting out and having a great time." 

She highlights the welcoming and supportive environment at Open Squash, emphasizing the camaraderie that develops among players. "I've seen the community grow since I've been here," she remarked. "Women have come here from other places who have said that there's just not really anything going on for them over there."

The sense of community is a key element of squash that Ciara cherishes. "I could go anywhere in the world, any continent, any city, and somehow have people to stay with or friends to make," she said. "It's one of those really nice little close-knit... everybody knows everyone sports." She also appreciates the accessibility of the sport, noting that "you don't need any sort of experience with any other sport to play squash.”

Ciara's dedication to growing the women's squash community is evident in the numerous initiatives she has spearheaded at Open Squash. These include monthly women's round robins, social events, workshops, and a dedicated women's Instagram account. She is also a vocal advocate for women's participation in tournaments, encouraging them to embrace the competitive spirit of the sport.

As Ciara continues to champion women's squash, she serves as an inspiration to players of all levels. Through her work at Open Squash, she is creating a welcoming and inclusive space where women can discover the joy of squash, forge lasting friendships, and uncover a hidden passion for the sport. We’re glad to have you, Ciara!

Watch our recent Boast About It interview with Ciara here. [Link]