SQR+ Squash Radio

Round-Up (TBD): #51 The Directive & LA28 – Is it all worth it!?

The band is back together! PJ Johnson drops in to join Conor O'Malley, & Bill Buckingham.
 
Once done catching up on PJ’s personal life we dive into the recently concluded Egyptian Open.  The trio debates the new PSA directives, player conduct, and the challenges faced by returning athletes like Amanda Sobhy and Joelle King. They also preview the upcoming Paris Open and highlight key matches and players to watch. The show wraps up with a lighthearted discussion about the upcoming National Squash League (NSL) Legends showdown.
 
01:47 PJ Johnson Returns04:02 Golf and Squash: Finding the Balance05:11 The Egyptian Open: Highlights and Controversies06:32 The New Directive: A Double-Edged Sword13:14 Olympics and Squash: Is It Worth the Change?25:58 Players Taking Ownership?26:10 Lessons from Rugby Refereeing26:47 Referees Adapting to New Directives31:14 Preview of the Paris Open31:54 Amanda and Joel King's Comeback32:58 Challenges of Returning from Injury37:56 Men's Draw Analysis41:58 Women's Draw Analysis45:46 National Squash League Legends Match48:58 Differentiating Squash Events51:44 Concluding Remarks
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #50 Diamond in the rough: The PSA season opens in Cairo

Conor O'Malley and Bill Buckingham dive into Conor's travels and Bill's relaxed retirement lifestyle before moving on to major squash events at play. Key topics include the return of top players like Joelle King and Amanda Sobhy, the dominance of Egyptian players, and the controversial conduct game involving Fares Dessouky and Tarek Momen. They also talk about the new PSA directive on player behavior and its implications. Additionally, Bill hints at a new podcast segment, 'The Directive,' for immediate and brief updates on significant squash happenings. 
 
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
01:03 Bill's Retirement Adventures
01:44 Golf and Bruce Springsteen Concert
04:41 Upcoming Chicago Trip
05:43 Tequila Talk
07:21 Minnesota State Fair Experience
09:08 Squash Tournament in Egypt
11:37 Squash Rules and Referee Controversy
26:58 Tournament Overview and Player Performances
31:03 Women's Squash: Comebacks and Challenges
34:50 Young Talents and Future Prospects
43:00 New Podcast Segment: The Directive
46:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #49 Olympics wrap-up, PSA rebrand & The Great Outdoors (Arnie Dratt)

Conor and Bill dive into PSA's recent rebrand to PSA Squash Tour, the introduction of new tournament tiers, and the evolving player compensation landscape as countries prepare for the LA 2028 Olympics.
The conversation takes a deeper dive into the impact of breakdancing's inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympics and the fascinating possibilities of athletes transferring national allegiances for better chances at Olympic medals.
We give a nod to Andrew Douglas’s retirement and an anticipated season preview with squash expert PJ Johnson. Joining the conversation is Arnie Dratt, president of the PSA Foundation, calling in from Chicago to share exciting developments in the outdoor squash movement. Arnie takes us through the journey that began in 2021, inspired by a steel court in New York, and how it evolved to the anticipated installation of a glass court in Union Park by Spring 2025. They discuss the challenges faced, from structural engineering tests to funding strategies, and the broader implications for squash in the community.  Outdoor squash could have a dramatic impact on the awareness and access for the sport!
01:18 Olympics Fever: Squash in LA 28
01:54 Hollywood's Olympic Takeover
03:54 Olympic Dedication and Personal Skills
07:28 Breakdancing in the Olympics
11:00 Olympic Medal Payouts
13:02 Squash Transfer Portal
17:01 Nicole David: Squash Ambassador
19:00 Career-Ending Changes
19:27 New National Team Coach Announcement
19:39 Role and Impact of a National Coach
20:57 Challenges in Individual Sports
21:24 Pipeline and Junior Team Strategy
21:56 National Team Coach's Influence
24:23 Olympic Aspirations and Future Goals
26:25 Farewell to Andrew Douglas
27:40 PSA Tour Rebranding and Changes
29:41 PSA Tour Structure and Strategy
39:40 Introduction to Outdoor Squash Movement
41:53 Challenges and Setbacks in Chicago
43:32 Finding the Right Court Design
46:41 Finalizing the Court and Future Plans
48:49 Cost and Funding of Outdoor Squash Courts
52:53 Community Engagement and Programming
60:25 Expanding Outdoor Squash to Other Cities
66:37 Conclusion and Call to Action
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #48 ‘Great Scott!’ with newly appointed England National Coach Stuart Crawford

Conor and Bill Buckingham chat with Stuart Crawford, recently appointed as the new National Team coach for England.
The discussion dives into Crawford's transition from assistant coach at UPenn to his new prestigious role, insights into his coaching philosophy, and differences observed in junior squash attitudes between American and Egyptian parents.  
But get your first look into how Stuart plan’s to take the helm of one of the most prestigious Coaching positions in the World and leave his mark. 
 
1:46 Bill's Retirement Adventures3:55 Welcoming Stuart Crawford5:12 2024 Paris Olympics9:37 Summer Camps and Coaching10:22 Egyptian Squash Experience17:59 Houston World Junior Championships24:57 Malaysia's Unfortunate Draw26:05 Asia's Future in Squash26:42 Stuart Crawford's New Role at England Squash27:35 The Interview Process31:59 Coaching Philosophy and Vision35:12 Challenges and Future Goals for the Team EnglandAnd more!
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #47 Todd Harrity: Philly Roots, Princeton Pride & Pro Squash!

After some time apart, Conor and Bill are back on the mic with a BIG update: Conor recently got married!
Joining the show today is Todd Harrity, one of the highest-ranked U.S. men's professional players, Team USA veteran, and U.S. Champion. Todd joins the show after recently announcing his retirement.
They delve into Todd's experiences in junior squash, his college squash career at Princeton, his professional journey, and the challenges he faced along the way.
Todd also shares his thoughts on the future of U.S. squash, his memories of coach Bob Callahan, and his plans post-retirement.
 
And let's not forget his days as an intern at US Squash with Conor and Bill, where Bill is convinced he played a pivotal role in all of Todd’s success to date.
 
01:57 Conor's Big News04:59 Special Guest: Todd Harrity05:44 Todd’s Retirement07:40 World Junior Championships13:19 US Squash Success17:01 PSA Tour Changes22:23 Todd’s Junior Squash Memories26:57 Choosing Princeton Over Other Ivy Leagues29:53 Memories of Winning the National Championship33:52 The Influence of Coach Bob Callahan39:50 Transitioning to a Professional Squash Career51:13 Life After Squash: Exploring New Opportunities
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Round-Up (TBD): #46 A different ‘Beast’ altogether – Mohamed Elshorbagy

We’ve got another Buckshot with two parts!
 
Return of Buckshot: Squash Legends, Semi-Retirement, and NSL Insights
 
In this special edition of 'Buckshot,' Bill returns after a brief hiatus to discuss semi-retirement and share anecdotes about boating mishaps. The conversation then shifts to the world of professional squash, examining Noran Gohar's remarkable winning streak and the intriguing men’s PSA Player of the Year Award. We celebrate the success of the inaugural season of the National Squash League (NSL), highlighting the engaging fan experience and the league's promising future.
 
Mohamed ElShorbagy on Injury Recovery, PSA Board Insights, and Career Reflections
 
The legend Mohamed ElShorbagy discusses various facets of his career, providing an in-depth look at his journey. ElShorbagy talks about his recent struggles with an abductor injury and his plans for recovery ahead of the British Nationals. He reflects on his past injuries, the challenges of maintaining peak performance throughout a demanding season, and the importance of adapting to different phases in his career.
 
ElShorbagy also addresses issues surrounding the PSA World Tour Finals and the organization's efforts to handle logistical challenges. As a player representative on the PSA board, he offers valuable insight into the decision-making processes that impact major events. Next he shares stories from his early career, including his move to England and how Jonah Barrington's mentorship shaped his game. He also touches on future aspirations post-retirement, such as coaching and possibly contributing to squash media. The episode provides a rich dialogue on both the personal and professional aspects of a top-tier squash player's life.
 
Timestamps:
 
00:00 Welcome Back to Buckshot!
01:15 Semi-Retirement Tales
01:41 Boat Troubles and Fixes
03:00 Retirement Plans and Reflections
04:58 Noran Gohar's Winning Streak
06:22 PSA Player of the Year Controversy
13:08 National Squash League Highlights
17:21 Exciting Future for Squash
20:42 Interview with Mohammad Algi
27:23 Introduction and Guest Welcome
28:42 Discussing Injuries and Recovery
30:46 World Tour Finals Experience
32:38 PSA Board and Event Challenges
38:31 New National Coach Announcement
44:24 Reflecting on Career Beginnings
49:48 Achieving World Number One
51:34 Facing the Pressure of Being Number One
52:35 Memorable Matches and Rivalries
53:42 Respect and Rivalry with Nick Matthew
54:28 Challenges and Inspirations
58:23 Life Between Egypt and England
63:43 Financial Realities of Professional Squash
69:42 Future Plans and Legacy
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #45 BUCKSHOT Nouran Gohar - The Terminator is back!

“The Terminator is back” Nouran Gohar joins the show to talk about her return to the PSA tour after an early season foot  injury. Nouran and Bill talk Olympics, refereeing , the player “directive” and kicking doors! 
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #44 Champs: UPenn wins CSA Men’s Title! Joined by Coaches Lane & Crawford (National Champions)

University of Pennsylvania coaches Gilly Lane and Stu Crawford join Conor and Bill to recap all the emotion and drama from last weekends CSA Men’s Championships! 
 
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