The 2026 ESF Members’ Forum was hailed as “the best ever” by delegates at the Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam.
Taking place during the 2026 European Team Division 1 & 2 Championships, the Forum brought together national federation representatives, partners and stakeholders for essential dialogue, innovation and strategic alignment.
Strong engagement and strategic dialogue
Opened by the President’s Welcome, the Forum reinforced the importance of shared vision and collective responsibility in shaping the future of squash across Europe. The programme combined operational matters, development initiatives, commercial innovation and high-performance pathways.
Valuable partner contributions
A highlight of the Forum was the strong contribution from ESF partners, starting with Sportall / Sportway France, whose CEO Marco Gonzalez showcased cutting-edge digital broadcasting solutions, underlining the critical role of media exposure and content distribution in expanding squash’s reach to new audiences.
Tournament Software, represented by CEO Pieter de Jong, provided insights into competition management and digital efficiency, reinforcing how data-driven platforms support smoother operations at all levels of the game.
Courtwall’s Wolfgang Denk highlighted advances in court infrastructure and event presentation, emphasising quality, flexibility and sustainability.
Access Courts, founder Rik Zwikker, shared an inspiring vision of accessibility and participation, demonstrating how innovative outdoor court concepts can lower barriers and bring squash closer to communities.
These partner presentations illustrated the strength of ESF’s ecosystem and the shared ambition to future-proof the sport.
Development, governance and financial clarity
The Forum also addressed key governance and development topics. Updates on Erasmus+ programmes, delivered by Catherine Ezvan and Rosanna Radlinska-Tyma, highlighted ongoing opportunities for education, grassroots initiatives and cross-border collaboration within Europe.
Later, ESF fees and membership structure, presented by Luis Ferreira and Daniel Verhoeven, offered clarity and openness on financial frameworks.
Special focus: squash and the Olympic pathway
The Forum placed a strong and well-received emphasis on the Olympics, reflecting the historic moment squash is experiencing.
A dedicated session on the Olympic qualification process and the European Games provided critical insights into athlete pathways and competition structures.
This was followed by official WSF information on the Olympic Games. These discussions underscored the importance of unity and high standards planning as squash prepares for its Olympic future.
Building the future together
The 2026 ESF Members’ Forum featured high-quality partner presentations, comprehensive coverage of strategic topics and a strong spotlight on the Olympic journey.
As squash moves into a new era, events like this remain vital in ensuring that Europe continues to lead, innovate and inspire—on and off the court.
