Johannesburg – South African squash received a significant boost with the successful completion of the opening leg of the Assore Squash Series PSA Satellite tournaments in Johannesburg.
Helena Hudson and John Anderson emerged as the standout performers of the tournament that was held from 26 March to 29 March 2026.
Representing Northerns, Hudson was crowned the women’s Order of Merit winner, while Anderson, from Joburg Squash, took top honours in the men’s category following a series of consistently strong performances.
The opening phase of the series featured four PSA Satellite tournaments, all hosted at the Parkview Squash Centre, and provided a vital platform for local players to compete at an international level on home soil.
Hudson claimed victory in two of the events and finished runner-up in the other two, while Anderson secured two runner-up finishes to underline his consistency.
Tournament organiser Craig van der Wath described the series as the culmination of a long-term vision to elevate South African squash.
“This has been an amazing journey that started in 2012 when I had the idea to bring foreign players to South Africa for PSA tournaments,” he said.
“We had a lot of success over the years, but now, with a sponsor of this magnitude offering 11 PSA tournaments, it has taken things to another level.”
Van der Wath said a key factor behind the success of the series was the opportunity it provided for local players to earn world ranking points without the financial burden of competing overseas.
“The success is simply the opportunity for our players to obtain a PSA world ranking and do so at home,” he explained. “The cost of travelling abroad is often prohibitive, so this creates access that many players would not otherwise have.”
Hudson emphasised the importance of the series in helping South African players bridge the gap to the global stage.
“These tournaments are extremely valuable,” she said.
“The opportunity to earn ranking points without leaving the country, while also competing against international players at home, is a massive advantage.
“Many countries regularly host events for their players, giving them exposure and a pathway to bigger tournaments.
“Through this series, Assore and Squash SA have created those same opportunities for South African players, giving us a real chance to improve our world rankings and compete internationally.”
She added that the structure of the series, starting with Satellite events and progressing to higher-tier tournaments, allows players to steadily build their profiles.
“By increasing the number of tournaments we can play, it improves our rankings and opens doors to bigger events.
“Personally, I’ve already seen the benefits and now have a better chance of qualifying for higher-level tournaments, which wasn’t possible without travelling abroad in the past.”
Reflecting on her Order of Merit success, Hudson highlighted the importance of consistency.
“It’s a reminder that consistency is key. As athletes, we need to keep pushing to raise our base level. I’m grateful to Assore, Squash SA, and everyone involved for creating this opportunity.
“It’s also hugely beneficial for the sport to have increased prize money, which helps drive participation and shows that squash is worth investing in.”
Van der Wath explained that the Order of Merit system was introduced to reward commitment across the full series.
“The Order of Merit was designed to incentivise players to compete in all the tournaments,” he said.
“The points are cumulative, and the winners receive a prize that will enable them to travel to an international tournament later in the year.”
Men’s winner Anderson echoed her sentiments, describing the series as a game-changer for South African squash.
“These tournaments are incredibly important for our players, and it’s vital that we make the most of these opportunities,” he said.
“In the past, we had very few PSA events locally, but nothing as significant or accessible as the current Assore Series.”
Anderson said the benefits extended beyond ranking points.
“I’ve gained valuable match experience, earned important world ranking points and competed for some of the most generous prize money I’ve seen at entry-level PSA events.
“Being able to play at my home club, with proper rest, nutrition, and support from family and friends, really boosts performance.”
He described winning the Order of Merit as a significant milestone in his career.
“It’s very rewarding because it reflects consistency across the series. It motivates me to keep pushing and performing at my best.
“I feel privileged to have these opportunities to compete and earn from the sport I love.”
Looking ahead, van der Wath expressed optimism about the future of the series and its impact on the development pipeline.
“I certainly hope this continues,” he said.
“The sponsor has indicated support for next year, provided players remain committed to improving their rankings and raising the standard of squash at the top level, which will ultimately filter down to juniors.”
He added that the tournaments were already having a positive effect on emerging talent.
“We’ve seen more young players joining the PSA, and the regular, highly competitive matches will improve squash in South Africa.
“We even have two 15-year-olds who have recently joined the PSA, and they’ve been given wildcard entries into upcoming tournaments in the series.”
Van der Wath also highlighted the broader developmental benefits of hosting international events locally.
“Members of the Egoli Squash Elite squad have been involved as court monitors during the tournaments, which has allowed them to interact with international players and observe the professionalism in preparation and match play.
“That kind of exposure is invaluable.”
The results of the finals were:
Assore PSA Satellite #1
Women’s final: 2-Teagan Russell (Joburg Squash) bt 1-Helena Hudson (Northerns) 3-2 (4-11 13-15 12-10 11-5 11-6)
Men’s final: 8-Dean Venter (EP) bt 4-Anas Khan (Joburg Squash) 3-1 (11-3 17-19 11-8 11-7)
Assore PSA Satellite #2
Women’s final: 1-Helena Hudson (Northerns) bt 2-Teagan Russell (Joburg Squash) 3-2 (8-11 7-11 11-8 11-9 11-5)
Men’s final: 2-Damian Groenewald (Northerns) bt 2-John Anderson (Joburg Squash) 3-0 (11-6 11-7 11-1)
Assore PSA Satellite #3
Women’s final: 1-Helena Hudson (Northerns) bt 6-Kim McDonald (Northerns) 3-1 (11-6 8-11 11-8 11-8)
Men’s final: 1-Damian Groenewald (Northerns) bt 2-John Anderson (Joburg Squash) 3-1 (14-12 9-11 11-6 11-8)
Assore PSA Satellite #4
Women’s final: 2-Teagan Russell (Joburg Squash) bt 1-Helena Hudson (Northerns) 3-0 (13-11 11-9 11-5)
Men’s final: 2-Ruan Olivier (Northerns) bt 8-Jarrod Cousins (Northerns) 3-1 (7-11 12-10 11-7 11-8)
Order of Merit winners
Women: Helena Hudson (Northerns)
Men: John Anderson (Joburg Squash)
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