Isle of Man Squash Launches New Progression League
Isle of Man squash has introduced an exciting new Progression League, designed to give players more structured, competitive match play while supporting development at every level of the game.
The new format focuses on:
📈 Player development and improvement
🎯 Competitive but balanced matchups
🤝 Increased court time and participation
🔄 Movement between groups based on results
Unlike traditional fixed-division leagues, the Progression League allows players to move up or down based on weekly or monthly performance. This keeps matches competitive, rewards form, and ensures players are consistently challenged at the right level.
💡 Why It’s a Big Step Forward
The introduction of the Progression League:
Encourages newer players to enter competition in a supportive structure
Gives developing players clear targets for advancement
Maintains motivation through regular movement between tiers
Builds depth within the Isle of Man squash community
🏆 Isle of Man Squash – Progression League Launch
Court Cadets vs Racket Rebels
The brand-new Progression League got underway this week, introducing an exciting team-based format designed to blend experience with youth development.
Two teams were formed, each captained by a senior player and supported by two juniors:
🎖 Court Cadets – Captain: Lee McGoldrick
🎖 Racket Rebels – Captain: Indrakumar Gandu
The concept is simple but powerful: senior leadership combined with junior energy, giving developing players valuable competitive exposure alongside experienced mentors.
🔥 Opening Night Atmosphere
The launch night had a fantastic buzz, with competitive best-of-five, PAR 11 scoring across five matches. The format encourages:
📈 Match experience for juniors
🤝 Team spirit and mentorship
🎯 Competitive but supportive squash
🔄 Progression opportunities week to week
Both teams showed strong commitment and enthusiasm, setting the tone for what promises to be a brilliant new addition to the Isle of Man squash calendar.
💡 Why This Format Works
Juniors gain structured match play in a team environment
Senior captains guide tactics, composure, and preparation
The team format builds camaraderie and accountability
Results can shape progression and future pairings
This league isn’t just about winning — it’s about growth, confidence, and building the next generation of Isle of Man squash players.
🏆 Isle of Man Squash – Progression League
Week 1: Court Cadets vs Racket Rebels
The new Progression League continued its exciting launch week with some excellent individual performances and a high-quality captain’s clash.
Each team — Court Cadets, led by Lee McGoldrick, and Racket Rebels, captained by Indrakumar Gandu — featured a strong mix of senior leadership and junior talent, and the matches reflected both development and competitive intensity.
🔥 Match Highlights
💪 Teddy Tang Opens the Account
Teddy Tang secured the first win of the league for Court Cadets with an impressive straight-games victory over Jack Washington:
11–6, 11–3, 11–5
Teddy controlled the rallies from start to finish, showing maturity and consistency beyond his years.
🌟 Arlo Kienan Stays Unbeaten
Arlo Kienan delivered another dominant performance for Court Cadets, defeating Finlo Manning:
11–0, 11–5, 11–4
Arlo remains unbeaten this season, continuing his outstanding run of form and establishing himself as one of the early standouts of the Progression League.
⚔️ Captains’ Clash – High Quality Battle
The headline match of the evening saw the two team captains go head-to-head in a tremendous contest.
Indrakumar Gandu edged past Lee McGoldrick in four hard-fought games:
11–6, 11–5, 10–12, 11–8
Lee showed resilience to take the third game, but Indrakumar’s composure and shot selection proved decisive in the fourth to seal the victory for the Racket Rebels captain.
📈 Early Signs
Juniors are stepping up confidently in competitive matches
The team format is already creating great energy and support
The captain-led structure is helping raise match standards
The Progression League is off to a brilliant start — competitive, developmental, and full of promise for the season ahead.
