Announcing the 2025 Squash BC Annual Awards
Celebrating Leadership, Legacy, and Excellence in Our Squash Community
Squash BC is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Annual Awards, recognizing individuals whose leadership, commitment, and passion have profoundly shaped our sport. This year, we honour two remarkable contributors whose work strengthens squash from grassroots to high performance: Tasha Doucas and Marco Toriz.
Jack Larsen Trophy Recipient – Tasha Doucas
Honouring Exceptional Leadership, Service, and Lasting Impact
The Jack Larsen Trophy is Squash BC’s highest honour, awarded to an individual whose significant and sustained contributions have shaped the development of squash in British Columbia. This year’s recipient, Tasha Doucas, is a volunteer superstar whose passion and commitment have guided Squash BC for more than a decade.
Tasha’s squash roots run deep. Originally from Montreal, she grew up in a squash family, with her father’s love for the game and her late brother Alex Doucas’s professional doubles career influencing her lifelong connection to our sport. As both a singles and doubles player, Tasha exemplifies sportsmanship, fair play, and dedication—core values of the Jack Larsen Trophy.
A Leader in Governance, Advocacy, and Growth
Tasha’s leadership has been transformative for squash in BC. She served as Squash BC Board President from 2018–2023, following years of service beginning in 2015, and previously chaired the BC Doubles Committee (2012–2016). Her tenure as President marked a period of renewed energy and growth for our community, including:
- 50% growth in community programming
- Guiding Squash BC through the COVID-19 pandemic with stability and innovation
- Support for junior high-performance athletes, culminating in BC winning 9 of 10 National Titles in 2023
- Expanded initiatives to promote participation, visibility, and connection across the province
Tasha has also championed BC’s interests nationally and internationally. In 2023, she played a key role in supporting the preservation of a doubles court at Portland’s Multnomah Athletic Club by formally advocating through Squash BC and facilitating additional support from Squash Canada.
Champion for Women in Squash
A passionate advocate for women and girls in sport, Tasha has initiated and led numerous programs that have permanently strengthened the landscape of women’s squash in BC. Her contributions include:
- Founding and initiating the annual Women’s Squash Conference, now a cornerstone event, elevating women’s leadership and participation
- Repeatedly serving as Chair of Women’s Squash Week, helping drive exponential increases in participation
- Ongoing mentorship and support for women in squash leadership roles
Her steadfast dedication has built pathways, community, and confidence for women at all levels of the sport.
A Tireless Community Coach and Mentor
Understanding the essential role of community coaching, Tasha became a certified coach and has generously devoted countless hours to teaching beginners and intermediate players in both singles and doubles. She coaches women at Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club (VLTBC) and is known for:
- Creating warm, inclusive training environments
- Supporting new players in developing confidence and skill
- Recruiting and organizing volunteers to strengthen programming and develop community capacity
Her mentorship is widely recognized for inspiring players of all ages while helping build sustainable community programs.
A Competitor and Ambassador
Tasha is also an outstanding competitor who has represented BC at provincial, national, and international events in both singles and doubles. Her dedication to excellence on court is matched by her dedication off court—where she currently serves as Chair of the Squash Canada Hall of Fame Committee, helping preserve and honour the sport’s history.
Squash BC is incredibly fortunate to have a leader like Tasha whose passion, advocacy, and generosity have strengthened every corner of our sport.
Kevin Kydd Award Recipient – Marco Toriz
Recognizing Outstanding Mentorship and Dedication to Junior Squash
The Kevin Kydd Award honours an individual who has selflessly inspired, coached, and mentored junior athletes across British Columbia. This year’s recipient, Marco Toriz, has spent the past eight years building one of the province’s most successful and influential junior squash programs.
Marco’s program now supports more than 90 junior athletes across a wide range of ages and levels. His athletes have produced exceptional results across Canada and the United States, repeatedly elevating the competitive standard of junior squash in BC.
In 2025, Marco’s leadership helped produce two milestone achievements:
- His program captured the 2025 BC Junior Squash Championships Team Title
- He coached athletes on the 2025 Sport BC Team of the Year—a historic first for squash, earned through the Junior Girls National Team’s bronze-medal performance
Beyond competition results, Marco is celebrated for his mentorship, passion, and unwavering commitment to youth development. His coaching fosters a love of the sport, a culture of respect, and a pathway for long-term athlete success.
This marks Marco’s second time receiving the Kevin Kydd Award, a testament to the ongoing impact he continues to make on junior squash in British Columbia.
Celebrating Our Community
Squash BC proudly congratulates Tasha Doucas and Marco Toriz on their exceptional achievements. Their dedication, leadership, and love for the sport have strengthened our community and inspired athletes across the province.
We look forward to celebrating with the full squash community throughout 2025 and continuing to support the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and leaders who make squash thrive in British Columbia.