Joanne Schickerling, the newly elected president of New York Squash, is a force of nature in the squash world. Born and raised in South Africa, Joanne's passion for racket sports began early. Although tennis was her first love, she quickly fell head over heels for squash. "I grew up hanging out at the squash club as a kid and just fell in love with the game," she said.
Joanne's journey in squash has been nothing short of remarkable. She came to the United States on a tennis scholarship to Indiana University, but her love for squash never waned. After graduating, she sought ways to reconnect with the sport and discovered the thriving college squash scene. This led her to coaching positions at Trinity College and Columbia University, where she achieved remarkable success, leading teams to top rankings and Ivy League championships.
Joanne's commitment to squash extends beyond the elite college level. Her transition to StreetSquash, a non-profit organization providing squash and educational opportunities to underserved youth in Harlem, New York, showcases her dedication to making the sport accessible to all. "StreetSquash can really be a home away from home or just a safe space for them to come," Joanne said. "It's really like a family for them."
Her experience at StreetSquash has been incredibly rewarding. She’s passionate about the talented young players she's encountered, and the impact squash has had on their lives. "I see some of these young kids playing at some of the best colleges in the country," she said. "They have the talent. The sky's the limit for these kids. And what we're providing for them is giving them the opportunity to do that."
Joanne's vision for squash in New York City is ambitious and inclusive. As the newly elected president of New York Squash, she aims to grow the sport's reach and impact. New York Squash is at the heart of the squash community, serving as a vibrant district of US Squash, the nation's official authority for the sport. As close partners with US Squash, New York Squash runs the New York squash league, countless tournaments, and is set on diversifying the game and promoting active participation in New York city and beyond.
Open Squash was delighted to partner with New York Squash in hosting the organization’s 100-year party in September, and we regularly host the organization’s tournaments at our locations in Bryant Park and FiDi.
"I'd love to grow what New York Squash is doing in the junior community," Joanne said. She's particularly interested in expanding squash programs in New York City public schools, a move she believes will open the sport to a broader audience, especially with the 2028 Olympics on the horizon.
Joanne's advice to squash players, both seasoned and new, is refreshingly simple. For those looking to improve their game, she offers the "Holy Trinity" of squash tips: "Watch the ball, racket up, get back to the tee." To those who have never played the sport, she extends a warm invitation: "Come try squash out. It is so fun. It's really addictive. It's high-intensity. It is really easy to get started and get playing, hit rallies, meet people. It's a really great community of squash players in the city."
Beyond her roles at StreetSquash and New York Squash, Joanne's love for racket sports led her to compete in Racketlon, a multi-sport event combining table tennis, badminton, squash, and tennis. She even clinched the Amateur World Championship title a few years ago. "It's like the triathlon of racket sports," she said. "You go from the smallest racket to the largest racket."
Joanne's enthusiasm for squash is contagious. Her dedication to the sport, her commitment to youth development, and her vision for expanding squash's reach in New York City make her an inspiring figure. As she steps into her new role as president of New York Squash, the future of the sport in the city looks brighter than ever.
In Joanne's own words: "The more people we can introduce to squash, the better." We couldn’t agree more!
You can also watch a video version of this interview at our Boast About It show here!