World team squash returns to the North Island city of Tauranga after just four years when New Zealand hosts the WSF Men’s World Team Championship in 2021.
It was in 2017 that the fifth largest city in New Zealand staged the Women’s World Junior Team Championship – and now the Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre will welcome the world’s leading men for the Men’s World Team Championship, 38 years after the biennial WSF championship was last held in New Zealand, in Auckland, in 1983.
Subject to final confirmation, the event will take place from 13th to 19th December 2021.
“I am thrilled that Tauranga has been chosen to host the 2021 World Men’s Team Championship,” said the country’s top male player Paul Coll, the world No.7. “The event has not been hosted in New Zealand since 1983, which means an entire generation of New Zealanders have not had the opportunity to view this level of squash at its best.
“Tauranga is an amazing place to visit and is one of the best coastal destinations in the world – I have no doubt the players will enjoy the opportunity to visit Tauranga.”
Wayne Werder, the Chair of the Organising Committee, added:
“I have fond memories of playing for NZ in this event and have always viewed it as an important part of the international squash calendar. We are delighted to see this event back in New Zealand and for Tauranga to be named as the host of the 2021 World Championship.
“The World Junior Championships in 2017 was very well received and showed Tauranga’s ability to deliver world events – we look forward to delivering another world class event in 2021.”
Reigning title-holders Egypt are likely to be favourites for the 2019 championship this December in Washington DC in the USA – while top contenders for the 2021 championship are sure to also include 1983 champions Pakistan and former champions Australia and England, as well as recent high finishers Hong Kong China and France.
