A home-soil opportunity for James Barr at World Masters

For Perth’s James Barr, the 2026 World Squash Masters Championships will be a chance to compete on home soil while representing the club that has become such an important part of his squash journey.

Barr first played squash casually at school in the UK, but it was after joining Cambridge Squash Club in 2010 that he began playing regularly and competing.

Now the club’s president, Barr continues to enjoy the sport for both the fitness and mobility it provides, as well as the social side of competition.

“I enjoy playing and keeping fit/mobile,” Barr said. “I enjoy the social side of competitions with other clubs and players.”

Barr regularly travels across Perth to compete against other clubs in Tuesday night pennant, while in recent years he has also made the effort to explore more of Western Australia’s squash community.

His travels have taken him to regional tournaments in Dampier, Busselton, Katanning, Esperance and Kalgoorlie, adding plenty of variety to his time on court.

He will now have the opportunity to welcome players from across the world to his home city, with Perth hosting the World Squash Masters Championships from 30 August to 6 September.

It will be Barr’s first World Masters appearance, and he is looking forward to making the most of the opportunity.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity, a lot of local players, as well as myself, could not let such an opportunity sail by without participating,” he said.

Having enjoyed plenty of memorable moments and characters throughout his squash journey, Barr is now looking forward to meeting new people and enjoying a few games on home soil.

“I’m looking forward to this tournament, and to meeting new people and enjoying a few games of squash,” he said. 

The 2026 World Squash Masters Championships will be held in Perth from 30 August to 6 September.