Squash Australia launches 2026 Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour
Published Tue 03 Feb 2026
Squash Australia is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour (RRST), a national celebration of diversity, inclusion and community connection through the sport of squash.
The Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour builds on the strong foundations of the Rainbow Racquets Squash Network (RRSN), which was launched in 2022 with programs in Sydney and Canberra. The network continued to grow in 2025 with the addition of Melbourne and Adelaide, expanding opportunities for LGBTQ+ participants and allies to engage with squash in safe, inclusive and affirming environments across the country.
Since its inception, Squash Australia has supported the RRSN to deliver National Rainbow Racquets Squash tournaments in Sydney and Melbourne, crowning national champions across multiple divisions and demonstrating how inclusive formats can strengthen participation and community connection.
A defining feature of Rainbow Racquets Squash events has been their alignment with major pride celebrations. Tournaments and community activations have formed part of Fair Day and Midsumma Festival programs in Sydney and Melbourne, alongside participation in the Midsumma Pride March in Melbourne in 2025. These partnerships have helped increase visibility for squash while strengthening links with the broader LGBTQ+ community.
Squash Australia National Lead - Sport Development, Shaun McEachin said the launch of the 2026 Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour reflects the organisation’s commitment to creating welcoming environments across all levels of the sport.
“The Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour is about more than competition,” McEachin said. “It is about creating spaces where people feel welcome, valued and connected through sport. Squash Australia is proud to support the Rainbow Racquets Squash Network and to see this national tour continue to grow participation, visibility and community connection in line with our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
The 2026 Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour will deliver a coordinated national series of events that combine competition, celebration and community engagement. The tour is open to members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, encouraging participation at all levels in a supportive and inclusive setting.
Rainbow Racquets Squash Sydney coordinator Stephan Wurzinger said the national tour provides a powerful opportunity to bring people together across cities while lowering barriers to participation.
“The Rainbow Racquets community has shown how powerful inclusive sport can be,” Wurzinger said. “The national tour allows us to connect players from across Australia, celebrate pride together and give people of all abilities the confidence to step on court and be themselves.”
In Melbourne, Rainbow Racquets Squash has built strong links with the Midsumma Festival and Pride March, creating visibility and momentum for inclusive squash experiences. Rainbow Racquets Squash Melbourne Chair, David Cowell said the tour builds on that success.
“Being part of Midsumma and marching together has given our community a strong sense of belonging,” Cowell said. “The 2026 tour builds on that momentum and shows that squash can be a genuinely inclusive sport where everyone has a place.”
Confirmed events for the 2026 Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour include Melbourne as part of the Midsumma Festival from 18 January to 8 February, featuring a community carnival booth on Sunday 18 January and participation in the Midsumma Pride March on Sunday 1 February with the Rainbow Racquets Squash Melbourne team. A Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour Tournament will take place later in 2026.
Sydney will host its tour stop during Mardi Gras from 16 February to 3 March, including a Fair Day community booth on Sunday 15 February and a Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour Tournament on Saturday 21 February with the Rainbow Racquets Squash Sydney team.
The Rainbow Racquets Squash Tour forms part of Squash Australia’s broader commitment to inclusive participation and aligns with the organisation’s Play Squash participation framework and ongoing LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives. Further event and participation details will be shared closer to each tour stop.
For more information on Rainbow Racquets Squash and Squash Australia’s inclusion initiatives, click here.
To register for the Rainbow Racquets Squash Tournament – Sydney, click here.
