Sheffield’s Nick Matthew launches squash tour to help ‘restart’ sport after tough year

But supporters will be at the heart of Sheffield squash star Nick Matthew’s own version of the Premier League’s Project Restart.

The former world number one has teamed up with his friend and former world top 10 player Daryl Selby for the Back To Squash Tour, which will see them visit 10 clubs across England in September and get up close and personal with intimate crowds who can watch the friendly adversaries do battle, have a hit with them, and meet them in the bar afterwards.

"If you made a list of sports that clash with Covid, squash would be high on that list,” said three-time World Open and British Open champion Nick, who also won gold in the Men’s singles at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"We don't have the luxury of being outside, it's close contact, lots of sweating, heavy-breathing and touching walls.

“It's a sport that's suffered for a year now so it's a real passion of mine and Daryl's to try and do something to help restart it and get around the country.”

Such has the warm reception been to their plans, there is already a waiting list of venues for a second tour.

"We have been blown away by the response," said Nick, who now trains 11 elite squash players at his academy at the Hallamshire Tennis & Squash Club after retiring in 2018.

"It's always been a very approachable sport like that and top-level players train in members clubs around the country. A lot of them are attracted to the club's that have got the best social environment.”

“A big part of what me and Daryl are trying to do is that interaction off the court as well as on it. We're going to bring lots of energy, lots of passion and lots of approachability to it.”

While the tour does not feature a Sheffield date, Nick will be opening up the Hallamshire doors on 18 September to showcase all the players in his academy.

There will also be a chance for newcomers to try squash on October 9 for World Squash Day.announces

Nick will launch Steel City Squash in September to help attract underprivileged schoolchildren in Sheffield to the sport.

As part of a concerted effort to support the sport, fitness and sports equipment specialists Sweatband will partner with Nick and Daryl to support the tour.