Dear Supporter,
Firstly, thank you for signing our petition to support the future of squash in Willoughby. Your support has demonstrated to Willoughby Council and other stakeholders that there is a strong community committed to preserving and growing racquet sports in the area.
With the closure of the Willoughby squash courts, our community has faced a significant challenge. In response, a number of local players, members, and supporters have come together to establish the Willoughby Squash and Racquets Club Inc. a non-profit to help secure both the short-term continuation and long-term future of squash and other racquet sports in the area.
Given the support shown through the petition, we wanted to provide an update on the work that has been taking place behind the scenes and where things currently stand.
Over recent months, the Club has been actively engaging with a range of stakeholders and has held several constructive discussions with Council regarding opportunities for a future home for squash in Willoughby. While there have been some encouraging developments and positive signs, no formal decisions have yet been made. As a result, we are not currently in a position to make any announcements, but we want to reassure supporters that progress is being made and that we remain actively engaged in pursuing a sustainable long-term solution.
At the same time, we are also exploring short-term options that will allow players to continue participating in the sport while a permanent venue solution is developed. This includes investigating opportunities for training, social play, competitions, and the possibility of continuing to field teams in the Sydney pennant competition under the Willoughby banner.
One of the key milestones achieved since the court closure is the formal establishment of the Willoughby Squash and Racquets Club. The Club is now registered with the Australian Sports Foundation, which means that donations of $2 or more made through the Foundation are tax deductible.
Even better, several generous supporters have offered to double any donations received before the end of the financial year - 30 June. Now's a wonderful time to make a donation of any size.
If you would like to support our efforts financially, donations can be made via:
https://asf.org.au/campaigns/willoughby-squash-and-racquets-club-inc
The strong response to the petition showed us how much this facility and community mean to people. Whether through donations, volunteering, participation, or simply helping spread the word, every contribution strengthens our efforts to secure a future for squash in Willoughby.
We greatly appreciate the support that the community has shown throughout this process. We will continue to keep supporters informed as further information becomes available and look forward to sharing more positive news in the months ahead.
WS&RC