WISPA Survey Highlights Commercial Value of Squash

A survey undertaken by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) has revealed a wealth of data which highlights the attributes of squash to would-be sponsors around the globe.

The survey, which was accessible via the Association's website www.wispa.net with links from numerous squash news sites around the world, attracted responses from enthusiasts worldwide.

Players are passionate about the sport: To the question 'how often to you play squash?', more than half of the respondents replied 'more than 10 times per month'.

When asked about their reasons for playing squash, 37% replied 'fun', with 28% citing 'competition' and 25% 'health & fitness'.

The overall gender breakdown of squash enthusiasts was 84% male and 16% female.

"This compares with varying individual averages provided to WISPA by national federations which showed female percentages of 10% in India; 14% in the USA; 15% in England & Hong Kong; 20% in France; 25% in Germany; and 30% in both Australia & Netherlands," said WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley.

In respect to age groups the breakdown was: Under-15, 2%; 16-24, 21%; 25-34, 25%; 35-44, 26%, 45-54, 18%; 55-64, 6%; and 65+, 2%.

The greater percentage of respondents were single, at 56%, with those who were married being 44%.

The majority of households (55%) featured two adults - with 21% having just one; 13% three; 8% four; and 3% five or more.

57% of households were childless - while 18% had one child, a further 18% boasted two; with 5% three and 2% four.

Squash players are also committed to their sport: More than half of the respondents had played for more than ten years - with only 4% for less than a year; 18% for up to five years; 19% up to ten years; 18% between 11 and 15 years; 14% from 16 to 20 years; 11% up to 25 years; and 16% for 26 or more years!

Private and commercial squash clubs provide the environment in which 74% enjoy their sport, whilst 10% use a local authority centre, with the remainder using schools and other locations.

"In addition to general marketing data, we have gathered a great deal of very useful marketing data that WISPA can use too," commented Shelley. "This includes the responses to WISPA Tour related questions - but we now also have income and spending figures that will be commercially helpful to us when we talk to prospective sponsors.

"So we are very grateful to the sites that supported us and the players who participated in the survey," added the WISPA CEO.