Andrea Santamaria & Roy Gingell appointed as inaugural full-time professional squash referees
July 28 2023
World Squash Officiating (WSO) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by appointing the sport's inaugural full-time professional referees, namely Roy Gingell and Andrea Santamaria.
Roy Gingell boasts extensive experience in refereeing since the 1980s & will take on the role of Professional Referee and Development Lead. Besides officiating at major squash tournaments, he will concentrate on refining referee training and appraisal processes.
Meanwhile, Andrea Santamaria, began her refereeing journey in 2013 and has quickly established herself as one of the sport's premier referees. In her new capacity as Professional Referee and Educator, she will continue to officiate at the highest level while supporting Member Nations in nurturing their pool of referees.
WSO, a collaborative venture between the World Squash Federation (WSF) and PSA, came into existence in 2019 with the objective of cultivating a proficient and diverse community of referees. The organisation offers comprehensive, globally recognised courses, spanning from grassroots to elite levels, designed to enhance refereeing performance and enrich player education.
Roy Gingell expressed his immense honor at being appointed as one of squash's pioneer full-time professional referees. With over 25 years of officiating at elite levels, he intends to share his wealth of knowledge and experience to bolster and uplift refereeing standards worldwide.
Andrea Santamaria is thrilled to be bestowed with the prestigious title of the first female professional referee, viewing it as a new era in squash officiating. She hopes her achievement will inspire aspiring female referees to follow in her footsteps. Andrea is excited about collaborating with a team of seasoned squash experts who are genuinely invested in global referee development.
Lee Drew, the Head of WSO, emphasises that hiring two professional referees marks a crucial stride in the professionalisation of officiating and aims to bridge the gap between the professional game and referees. This move showcases that refereeing can indeed be a fulfilling career for those with the passion and skill to contribute to the sport beyond playing.
Moreover, WSO recognises the significance of referee development and aims to disseminate a consistent message while sharing valuable insights to elevate refereeing standards worldwide. This progressive step forward promises exciting prospects for the sport, but it also calls for concerted efforts from all parties involved in advancing squash officiating.
World Squash Officiating (WSO) is a collaboration between the World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA). The mission of World Squash Officiating is to revolutionise squash officiating on a global scale, aiming to professionalise and standardise the refereeing process. The ultimate goal World Squash Officiating is to enhance the squash experience for all participants, irrespective of their level of involvement, by elevating the quality of officiating in the sport of squash.
The World Squash Federation (WSF) serves as the global governing body for the sport of squash, wielding authority over crucial aspects of the sport, including prominent events like the World Team Squash Championships, World Junior Squash Championships, World Squash Doubles Championships, and World Squash Masters Championships. Boasting a membership of over 125 nations, the World Squash Federation (WSF) operates as a reputable international federation for tehe sport of squash. Additionally, it oversees five continental squash federations, further solidifying its influence and reach in the squash world.
The Professional Squash Association (PSA) holds a prominent global position as the governing body overseeing men's and women's professional squash. With a remarkable roster of over 1,350 registered players, the PSA World Tour, PSA Challenger Tour, and WSF & PSA Satellite Tour together host over 750 events annually. These captivating competitions showcase the sport of squash at its pinnacle, unfolding in some of the world's most breathtaking and extraordinary locations.