This summer, with support from the viaSport Lead Forward Grant, Canadian Women & Sport (CWIS), and the CAC and MONDO Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Grant, Squash BC proudly launched the Women in Squash: Mentorship Program pilot – an initiative designed to empower and connect women across the squash community in BC. 

As part of this program, nine new community instructors were trained through a women-only Squash Canada Squash instructor course. We extend a big thank you to Tasha Doucas for leading the course and supporting the growth of women coaches in squash.

Running from May to October, the program combined monthly webinars with personalized one-on-one mentorship. Our four incredible mentors, Tasha Doucas, Dara Sklar, Giselle Delgado, and Shelley Neil, each led a presentation sharing their experiences, insights, and leadership journeys within the sport. We also heard from experienced facilitator Olivia Maxwell, who led our program reflection and discussion.

Throughout the mentorship program, we had 14 participants across four provincial zones who engaged in group mentoring sessions, individual mentor meetings, and peer mentoring opportunities. This helped build confidence, leadership skills, and a lasting support network that extended into the fall as part of the lead-up to Women’s Squash Week.

Looking ahead, Squash BC is excited to continue building on the momentum created through the mentorship program and Women’s Squash Week. We are offering a small grant to support clubs and communities in developing follow-up initiatives that further engage women and girls in squash.

We are also thrilled to be preparing for our annual Women’s Conference in the spring of 2026, so stay tuned for more information!

 

Testimonials

“The mentorship program and webinar discussions were a wonderful source of information and ideas for WSW events and supporting me in getting it all organized.  What a great set of people presenting and organizing!  Thank you for taking the time in your busy schedules to help us out!!”

Kathy Howard (Nelson)

 

“From my perspective, as a mentor, it gave me an opportunity to share with women more broadly across communities that I don’t get to speak with regularly, build connections and continued support beyond WSW.

The team at Squash BC provided a great space for safe and inclusive discussion while ensuring all WSW ambassadors around the province felt supported and while creating more  awareness of the sport.”

Tasha Doucas, Mentor