PLAYER ASSISTANCE POLICY

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The policy is effective from 24 November 2021 and will be updated every two years.

For review by the Board: by November 2023

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1. INTRODUCTION

The Board has a responsibility to promote the game of squash and squash 57 and in so doing, to develop talent and performance pathways for players. It is in the interest of Squash South Africa (SSA) to have players and teams competitive at an international level to represent the country and to be ranked internationally. However, the sport for some is also a means of income and this needs to be balanced with SSA’s responsibility to expand and promote the game locally.

 

2. PURPOSE

This policy sets out the requirements and conditions for financial or other support for players in the talent and performance pathways and is dependent on available budget and resources. In particular, the aim is to support players with the potential to enter the top 100 and top 50 on the ranking list for men and women respectively. This will, in turn, create visibility of the sport as well as raise the standard of the game locally.​​

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3. SCOPE
3.1. This policy covers following persons and organisations:

3.2. Players in the talent pathway.

3.3. Players in the performance pathway.

3.4. Youth players identified as future players in the performance pathway.

3.5. Masters players.

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4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1. Applications for assistance will be invited from 15 November each year where a budget is available. Factors which will be considered in relation to each application will include attitude, effort and results and in the case of a Masters player, ability to support themselves.

4.2. All players receiving assistance from SSA will be required to:

       4.2.1. sign an agreement setting out the terms and conditions attached to such assistance. Where the player does not                   meet these terms and conditions, he/she will refund SSA any funds which may have been paid.

       4.2.2. complete the event except where a medical certificate is provided to confirm an injury.

       4.2.3. coach and mentor identified junior players (male and female) in the talent pathway in their province in                                     consultation  with SSA, SA Schools Squash, University Sport South Africa Squash, their provincial executive                             committee and the provincial schools or junior representative for a period agreed by way of a written agreement                   between the player and SSA in addition to any coaching and mentoring paid for by the players being coached                    and/or mentored.

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5. ASSISTANCE FOR LOCAL EVENTS

5.1. Forms of assistance for local events may include:

       5.1.1. Refund by SSA for Professional Squash Association (PSA) annual fees at the discounted “early bird rate” if the:

                 5.1.1.1 Male player is in the top 130 in the world at 1 November each year and plays at least 7 PSA events,                                         including PSA satellite events, in South Africa.

                  5.1.1.2. Female player is in the top 80 in the world at 1 November each year and plays at least 7 PSA events,                                       including PSA satellite events, in South Africa.

         5.1.2. Refund by SSA for world or country membership of PSA at the discounted “early bird rate” if the male or                               female player is ranked in the top 7 in South Africa at 1 March each year.

         5.1.3. A contribution by SSA to the local travel (flight only) and/or accommodation costs for players in 5.1.1 for an                           agreed number of PSA events in South Africa if they are ranked in the top 6 for men or top 3 for women for that                     event.

5.2. Players in 5.1.1 must supply SSA with their receipt for the payment of their PSA annual fees after they have competed in and completed 7 PSA events in the country whereupon they will be refunded at the discounted “early bird rate” by SSA.

5.3. Players in 5.1.2 must supply SSA with their receipt for the payment of their world or country PSA annual fees after they have competed in and completed 7 PSA events in the country whereupon they will be refunded up to 50% of their PSA annual fees or the discounted “early bird rate” whichever is the larger amount by SSA.

5.4. Players in 5.1.3 will similarly be refunded the agreed amount on submission of receipts for that event which will be based on performance i.e. the better the result, the more funding will be received.

5.5. Before a player is refunded the PSA discounted “early bird rate”, he/she must confirm that he/she has not received any other financial contribution to the PSA fees from any other source.

5.6. SSA will refund the relevant amount to the player and may at its sole discretion pay PSA on behalf of the player, as a maximum, the PSA discounted “early bird rate” (payable by the end of the calendar year) whereupon the player concerned must sign an agreement setting out the terms and conditions including repaying SSA if such terms and conditions are not met.

5.7. No youth, USSA or Masters player may receive assistance for local events unless they qualify under 5.1.1.

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6. ASSISTANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

6.1. Forms of assistance for international PSA events may include a contribution to international flights (not local) and/or accommodation for the period of the event. Such assistance will not be extended to events under the World Squash Federation’s jurisdiction in terms of this policy.

6.2. Such assistance will be agreed between the player and SSA and is payable on provision of receipts once the player has completed the event.

6.3. Players eligible for such assistance are where the:

       6.3.1. Male player is in the top 80 in the world at 1 November each year and plays at least 7 PSA events in the                                   following calendar year including PSA events in South Africa, Growthpoint SA Nationals, Tswalu SA Doubles,                         Growthpoint IPT and/or overseas PSA events.

        6.3.2. Female player is in the top 30 in the world at 1 November each year and plays at least 7 PSA events in the                              following calendar year including: PSA events in South Africa, Growthpoint SA Nationals, Tswalu SA Doubles,                        Growthpoint IPT and/or overseas PSA events.

6.4. SSA may pay a grant to SA Masters towards the costs of potential medallists in the year of the World Masters Championships. As part of the application, SA Masters must provide SSA the criteria to be used to select recipients, a budget and a report on how the grant was spent with accompanying receipts.

6.5. SSA may pay a grant to USSA Squash towards the costs of participation in the year of the World University Squash Championships. As part of the application, USSA Squash must provide SSA the criteria to be used to select recipients, a budget and a report on how the grant was spent with accompanying receipts. 

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7. EFFECTIVE DATE

The policy is effective from 24 November 2021 and will be updated every two years.

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Communicated by Squash South Africa (October 2023)

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