A brilliant week MC'ing the London Squash Classic at Ally Pally
- Sports Travel Tom
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
My first foray into the world of squash presenting and it was sensational
Monday 8th September, 2025, London, England
It's always exciting to do a new gig and having completed my first tournament within the world of squash I have to say it was brilliant to work as the MC at the recent London Squash Classic which was held at the iconic Alexandra Palace.
The Old Theatre at Ally Pally in North London was the setting for the beginning of a brand new PSA Squash World Tour, and from the very start you can see the passion of the sport from its fans. Sold out crowds, lively atmospheres, all held within the historic walls of 'The People's Palace'.
The job included introducing the players into the theatre, to a raucous reception each day, as well as MC'ing the room in between matches and presenting the trophy presentation at the end of the week.
As always, with any new gig, nerves are at the forefront. Working in a sport that isn't second nature to you, with a team you have not yet met and no matter how much preparation you do, you know that there is a whole world that you don't know about.
The personalities, the stories, the little bits of info that you only pick up having worked in a particular sport all your life.
As it turned out, however, there was no need to be nervous. The team I worked with were incredibly supportive and made for a hugely enjoyable week.
As my name suggests, I love to experience new sporting events on my travels. This one did not let me down and its one you should add to your 'sports events to attend' list.
First the history of the Old Theatre within Ally Pally is plain to see. It had been left disused for decades before around five years ago undergoing a huge renovation. The history retained, but a full revamp in its technology means it is once again a theatre London can be proud of.
Within those historic walls last week, the squash itself. It's an incredible sport to watch live. So much of the experience I loved. The way the players and referees communicate. There's arguments, strong words, cheekiness, strops. It's all rather entertaining, especially as the referees are sat in the audience, with a spotlight on them in the middle of the crowd.
The matches are intense to watch. Squash is an intense game, and to see it in person makes you realise the phenomenal fitness these players are at. There is literally no rest, with some rallies going on for three minutes and onwards.
I've worked a lot in tennis, and there is no doubt the level of fitness it takes to cover a tennis court, but there is something about squash and it's constant high-level ferocious nature, where you barely have a second between shots and certainly don't stop moving during a match.
The intensity of it all brings up some moments unique to the game.
Matches being stopped by players so the floor can be mopped due to the sweat from the players accumulating on the court floor. The players attempting to dry their hands by wiping them on the glass walls of the court as well. The tactics in trying to be blocked, or be. the one doing the blocking, albeit, subtly.
It's a fascinating spectacle. And the players, fierce on court, lovely off it.
The team I worked with were wonderful too. Squash legends such as Joey Barrington and Vanessa Atkinson were a joy to be around as well as Michael Absalom, who having become Squash TV's presenter created the gap for me to come in and MC, a job he used to do. The rest of the team were brilliant too.
Finished up on Sunday night happy to have found squash, and looking forward already to working in the sport again.
For now though, it's the train back home to Edinburgh and more wedding planning to get on with, the big day now only 4 weeks away.
And having completed a week at Ally Pally, it will be one iconic venue to another this week as its back to St James' Park in Newcastle on Saturday for Newcastle United's Premier League match against Wolves.
Images: Nathan Clarke