Belmont Squash Centre Receives High Praise

Belmont Squash Centre has received high praise from players competing at this year’s 2026 World Squash Masters Championships following a $1.6 million renovation.

With this year’s World Masters being hosted across Perth, Australia, three venues are in action: SquashWorld Mirrabooka, Belmont Squash Centre, and Karrinyup Shopping Centre, which is hosting the all-glass show court.

For one of the three host venues at the 2026 World Masters, the Belmont Squash Centre, the event has provided a great opportunity to showcase its recently completed renovations, which have transformed the venue into a state-of-the-art facility.

And with the event welcoming hundreds of players from around the world from 30 August to 6 September, all aged 35 and above, Belmont has been at the heart of the action throughout the Championships.

The upgrades include new flooring, glass front and back walls, and brand-new changing rooms, providing a modern facility capable of welcoming some of the world’s best Masters players while helping to build a legacy for squash in Western Australia.

A squash centre that has been part of the local community for the past 55 years, Leigh Kaye, General Manager of the Squash Rackets Association of Western Australia (Squash WA), shared what it means to see the venue returned to its former glory and being used as one of the venues welcoming the World Masters community.

She said: “It has been amazing to see so many players walk through the door at this year’s World Masters. The vibe, the energy, the atmosphere is just incredible, and it is so energising to see so much support and praise being given to the venue.

“It is heartwarming, as it has taken us four years to get to this point. So, to see it finished and being used at the World Masters truly makes it feel so worth it.”

Kaye added: “All the time and effort, all the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this venue to get it ready in time for this year’s event, and to see the players enjoying it, is just so great to see and hear.

“When you are constantly around a venue like this, you get so used to the surroundings, but to step back and hear the feedback and see people enjoying the facilities makes all of it feel so worth it.”

She continued: “We have already had so many comments from international players, locals and players from the east coast of Australia talking about the facilities. It just feels amazing, as we wanted the venue to be ready and capable of hosting tournaments like this – and now it’s here.”

With Australia being the most successful nation in World Masters history, having won a record 70 medals, Kaye shared how this event will not only showcase the venue as a host for major tournaments, but also provide an opportunity to inspire more people to take up squash and continue to add to this impressive legacy.

She added: “It is great to be able to host the World Masters, but this venue isn’t just for the here and now. We have now got a facility that is top-notch and will be able to serve the highest standards.

“It is something that we can be really proud of, and hopefully it will inspire the next generation of players to come through and enjoy squash here at Belmont.”

The development of the centre has not only changed the look of the building but also has the potential to encourage greater participation in the sport, with Kaye explaining how the modern facilities could help attract and retain new players.

She continued: “I think for a centre like this, when new players come in and see this facility, they will want to keep playing here.

“We have had so much positive feedback, and it’s a new and modern facility. We are hoping that this will keep people playing and that we can continue to go from strength to strength.”

With the facility serving as a leading example for other centres, Kaye is hoping that the World Squash Masters Championships will continue to support the goal of squash’s rich history Western Australia.

Kaye continued: “The World Masters has been amazing for us, as it is not only bringing the younger players to the courts, it is bringing the 70- to 80-year-olds to play, who have grandchildren, so hopefully it brings more exposure to the sport.

“So, for us, this means everything.”