Australian Open Squash Championship

The National Convention Centre Canberra has demonstrated its versatility as a world-class events venue hosting the Australian Open Squash Championship, as part of a four year deal to host the Annual event

For its second year in 2011, the National Convention Centre transformed into an elite sports facility, welcoming the world’s best men and women squash players to compete before thousands of spectators.

Erected on the flat floor of the NCC’s Royal Theatre, the purpose-built all-glass squash court “has to be seen to be believed – it is completely transparent from the outside for perfect spectator vision and opaque from the inside so the players aren’t distracted by the audience or TV cameras,” NCC manager Cindy Young said.

In addition to a six-day squash competition between elite players, the Australian Open event featured a wide range of social activities for visitors, including cocktail functions, a gala dinner and a series of mini amateur tournaments in squash centres around Canberra.

The NCC also hosted technical seminars in its four theatrettes on elite play, new equipment, coaching and squash facilities, while the Exhibition Hall was  transformed into a village of sporting goods, equipment and clothing companies showcasing new products for rackets sports, such as tennis, squash, table tennis and badminton.