Three 2025 England Squash awards were won by people and clubs in the North West with the City of Manchester Squash Club taking home the prestigious Club of the Year award.

The City of Manchester Squash Club, based at the National Squash Centre, has seen a 24% growth in membership over the past year with the inclusive and collaborative environment helping to grow the women’s game in particular.

The club currently has 44 female players, with two extra women’s teams being launched in 2025 to provide for the ever-increasing number of female squash players.

On their award-winning year, Chair Steve Hempstock said: “being volunteer-run, you might think it would feel like the wheels are going to come off at any minute, but it doesn’t. That’s down to the incredible commitment of our members – people who step up to coach and organise. We’ve just got people who are happy to get stuck in.”

Manchester also took home another award as Sally Archibald, a volunteer based in the city, was named the Diversity & Inclusion Champion, which is ‘awarded to a person who champions inclusion and diversity to benefit a local community and/or bring squash to a new audience’.

Since launching her charity Girls in Motion in 2024, Archibald has run a number of events which have targeted participation, competition and leadership within squash, including a Women’s Squash Week which was attended by 60 women and girls.

Alongside her charity work, Archibald is also a committee member for the North West Women’s Squash League, in which she played a significant role in launching the new division aimed at beginners and inexperienced players.

15 teams joined the new North West league in its first season, with Archibald helping to fulfil her own goal, which is “to create a squash ecosystem that is beneficial for women.”

St Helens teenager Mia Leahey won the Young Coach/Volunteer of the Year award, which is given to ‘someone under the age of 19 who has made an active contribution to the community via volunteering or coaching within the past 12 months.’

Alongside studying at Loughborough University, Leahey has been committed to growing participation amongst diverse communities whilst also being involved in high-performance squash.

After being inspired by her own experience as one of a few women and girls at her local squash scene, Leahy works alongside Archibald at the Girls in Motion charity, helping to run their social media accounts and support junior meets.

She has also delivered junior and women’s-only sessions at her hometown club called Capitol Squash whilst additionally delivering a session for 20 refugees and asylum seekers in partnership with St Helens council.

Winning the three England Squash awards showcases the growth of squash within the North West of England, as the Northwest Counties Squash League continues to be one of the largest squash leagues in Europe with a focus constantly being on the ‘development, growth and sustainability’ of an inclusive and vibrant squash league.