Squash revival in Australian mining towns

While squash is generally percieved as a sport in decline, Victorian-based former squash professional Todd Bowden reports that the sport is going through a revival in mining towns, with mining sector workers taking up the sport as a means of improving their health, fitness and mental alertness.

Bowden, Director of squash court developer Blu Project Management sees that mining companies and mine camp operators across regional Australia are recognising the benefits of the game in helping mine workers to improve their stamina, speed, agility and fitness.

Bowden explains "squash is not only giving mine workers a health boost, but the sport is also delivering tangible benefits to the bottom lines of the mining companies.

“That’s because mine workers who play squash can quickly improve their fitness and general health, which is translating into lower lost-time-injuries at many mine sites.

"Core strength injuries are the biggest cause of injury at mine sites, and it has been demonstrated that squash players have a higher core strength and are therefore less prone to back strain.”

Having worked with corporations in Australia and the USA to develop squash programs for employees, Bowden sees that remote Australian communities are now benefitting from the development of squash courts by mining operators.

He addes "it has taken Australia a while to catch up with the USA, but finally our companies are also recognising that the game of squash is actually a workforce solution.

"And, beyond the mine workers themselves, there are enormous flow-on benefits from having a squash court complex in regional communities as well.

"In Western Australia, for example, we are doing a lot of work with indigenous people and communities by introducing them to the game of squash.

“On a recent trip to Kununurra, the indigenous people there showed a very keen interest in the sport and wanted to play more and more.

"This is great for their health and now they many indigenous people are wanting to set up programs in this region to facilitate this enthusiasm.

“Having a squash club and courts is a community asset that can be used by adults and children alike, and we have established squash leagues in many regional areas as a means of building strong community franchises.”

Bowden says that a key benefit of squash on a commercial level is that it is very time efficient, and mine workers are able to achieve a full workout from 30 minutes of intensive exercise on a court.

He concludes "another benefit for companies is that setting up a squash complex is relatively inexpensive, and they can be used for other fitness activities like basketball, aerobics and yoga when courts are not being used.

“On-site squash programs also allow miners to interact with all employees and with miners on other camps, giving them positive interaction which builds teamwork.

"Miners work long hours and often forget to spend time on their health, so the ability to participate in a time-efficient sport while they are away from home also allows them to spend more quality time with their families when they are at home instead of trying to catch up on their health.”

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Bowden also runs the Blu Health and Rackets Club in Moorabin, Victoria - www.bluhealth.com.au

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