By Diego Benito, the Squash Facilities Network partner in Brazil
Brazil stands as a beacon of squash enthusiasm, showcasing remarkable numbers with its currently mapped 345 facilities and 585 squash courts (there certainly are many more, especially in private apartment complexes, a popular type of court facility in a country that is difficult to track). The currently mapped ones, however, already place the nation among the world's top ten squash-playing countries and at the pinnacle in South America. The Squash Facilities Network (SFN) has delved into this market to provide an in-depth exploration.
Historical Roots
Squash made its Brazilian debut in the early 20th century, introduced by English engineers in Nova Lima's gold mines, with the first court built there. The sport found its first club home at São Paulo Athletic Club (SPAC) in the 1930s. However, it wasn't until the late '70s and early '80s that squash witnessed its first significant growth, primarily in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, followed by a spread to states like Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Minas Gerais.
Modern Revival
Recently, squash in Brazil has seen a resurgence, energized by its proposed inclusion in the Olympics. This prospect has sparked new motivation and ambition, with the hope of a Brazilian player as a contender for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This revitalization is supported by the regional federations' increased professionalism, implementing technologies like SquashLevels, SportyHQ, and Club Locker in their processes. Moreover, the recent structuring of the refereeing system and the organization of numerous amateur and professional tournaments underscore the sport's flourishing ecosystem. In 2024 the country will host over 70 amateur and professional Squash tournaments.
Facilities and Player Demographics
The landscape of Brazilian squash facilities is diverse, with a strong commercial orientation dominating the scene. The distribution of these facilities aligns closely with the country’s major commercial districts, emphasizing the sport's urban appeal. São Paulo emerges as the squash hub, housing around 42% of all Brazilian players and courts.
The player demographics reveal a predominance of senior category participants, while the junior category remains underrepresented. Interestingly, the female participation rate averages at 21%, with states like Ceara and Rio Grande do Sul exceeding 30%.
The significant skew towards the senior category, which comprises more than half of the squash population, indicates the sport's popularity among experienced players who have likely been engaged with the game for several years. This senior dominance is a crucial aspect of the community, often representing a wealth of knowledge and tradition within the sport. With the renewed momentum, the country hopes to attract and develop more juniors to move the sport forward in the years to come.
Brazil's squash landscape offers a fascinating glimpse into the sport's evolution and current state. The robust infrastructure, enthusiastic player base, and strategic organization of tournaments reflect a healthy, growing squash environment that is ripe for investment and support to further expand its reach in one of the largest countries in the world.
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