TDWSA Year in Review - Highlights!

We are proud to share with you highlights from the past year, which has been truly amazing and was capped with a Special Achievement Award given to the TDWSA by Squash Ontario.[gallery type="rectangular" ids="3457,3139,3521,3432,3135"]

2016/17 Results: What a difference a year makes!

Participation in winter league grew by 45%, the number of players participating was up 44%, and Summer league grew by 125%.In addition, players are generally more engaged with the league. We have 389 subscribers to our newsletter with an open rate of 60% and responses to our awards and post-season surveys were up dramatically over previous years. Responses to those surveys are highlighted below.And we are proud of the following achievements:

• Co-hosted 3 pre-season officiating/rules clinics with the men’s T&D league
• Engaged with squash pros across T&D and with Urban Squash Toronto
• Reached 75 women at the National Women’s Show
• Brought back E League (registration capped at 30!)
• Hosted 4 popular open houses
• Raised >$500 for two squash charities and gave UST a substantial material donation
• Hosted a sold-out C/D/E Tournament in May
• Received Outstanding Achievement Award from Squash Ontario

2016/17 Post-Season Survey Player Feedback

Responses to our post-season survey were constructive and positive and led us to understand the following:

• Satisfaction level was good and will be a focus of continued improvement next year
• 4-player roster should be adopted
  • Not supported by all, it was acknowledged by most that the benefits outweigh the negatives
  • Reduces barriers to entry for new clubs/teams which is an important aspect to building critical mass in order to minimize long-distance travel
• Bonus point was not well understood and perceived to skew results at B and C
  • We are piloting a 4 point system with no bonus point this summer
  • Results of this pilot will inform our decision regarding whether or not to reintroduce the bonus point in the fall
• Zones of play, which we introduced at C, worked well
  • Reduced travel was well received and we hope to expand this approach to other divisions, including E, next year
  • We need critical mass (10-12 teams for A through D or 45-60 individuals for E) and relatively even distribution of teams/players in order to achieve this
• Greatest sources of dissatisfaction were quality of refereeing and long gaps in schedule
  • The quality of referring came up in a lot of responses/questions. We will share information about learn to ref programs available in Toronto & District.
  • We are thrilled that women at all levels want to PLAY MORE SQUASH! Next season's schedule will offer as much squash as possible.

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Goals for 2017/18

As a result of your feedback, we have established the following goals for next season:

• Overall Satisfaction: 4.5/5 stars
• Give E league more "local" focus:
  • 15-20 E league players in each of up to 4 zones (East, West, North, South)
• Keep growing the league and women's squash:
  • Help between 4 and 8 more teams form
  • Help women at 2 to 5 more clubs to start building capacity
  • Host at least 5 more open houses
  • Marketing and promotional activities:
    • New website: Women’s squash calendar, Advertising/Sponsors, Photo gallery
    • Participate in and promote Women’s Squash Week events in September
    • Participate in the National Women’s Show with Squash Ontario
    • Pilot new social media engagement and advertising campaigns
• Host 2 C/D/E Tournaments (September 30th & May TBA)