How to organise

How to Organise a Squash League for Your Club

Running a squash league for your club is more about logistics than squash skill. Running an event for your existing club is the easiest version because you already have the infrastructure: a venue, a member roster, a regular schedule. The work is just sequencing the pieces. This guide is the order of operations — what to decide first, what to leave for last, and the mistakes that ruin the day.

Step 1: Print everything you need

Print three things: the schedule, the scoresheets, and the standings template. Have spares of all three. Even if you're running everything from a phone, paper backup saves the day when battery dies.

Step 2: Pick the format up front

The format is the single most important decision. Match it to your time, court count, and player count. Don't pick round robin if you only have 3 hours and 12 players — you'll run out of time. Don't pick single elimination for 6 friends — they'll feel cheated.

Step 3: Build the schedule

Build the schedule before the day. Number every match, assign every court, and write the start time next to it. If you wing the schedule on the day, you will fall behind by round 2.

Step 4: Communicate clearly

Send a confirmation message the day before with: venue address, start time, what to bring, and your phone number. Send a reminder the morning of. Over-communicate.

Step 5: Plan for the unexpected

Have a plan for: weather (if outdoor), no-shows, equipment failure, and disputes. Most of these never happen but the one that does will derail your day if you're not ready.

Tips for your club

Use your existing communication channels (group chat, email list) for invites and updates. Don't reinvent registration if your club already has a way to do it.

Format guidance: league

A league plays out across multiple weeks, usually as a round robin where each player or team plays every other once or twice. Generate the fixture list once at the start so everyone knows when they're on.

Use the linked free generator at the end of this guide to produce a printable schedule in seconds.

Common mistakes

Not communicating clearly before the day. People show up at the wrong time, in the wrong place, or with the wrong equipment because the organiser sent one cryptic message a week ago.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best format for a squash league with your club?

league works well for your club because it plays out across multiple weeks so it works around busy schedules. Use your existing communication channels (group chat, email list) for invites and updates. Don't reinvent registration if your club already has a way to do it.

How long does a squash league take?

That depends on the player count and the format. As a rule of thumb: a single-elimination tournament with 8 players takes about 4 hours on one court; a round robin with 8 players is closer to 7 hours. Halve the time if you can run two courts in parallel.

Can I run a squash league with the Volley app?

Yes. Volley supports single elimination, round robin, and pool play formats with proper squash scoring rules built in. Free on iOS and Android. The free Round Robin Generator on the website is a no-app alternative if you only need the schedule.

What's the smallest number of players for a squash league?

4 players is the realistic minimum for any tournament format. Below that you're really just playing matches, not running an event. 6-8 is the sweet spot for a casual half-day; 16+ for a full-day tournament.