On Jan. 6, 2026, the familiar walk into Kingswood Oxford’s squash facility, the Wyvern Squash Club, felt entirely different. For years, players from both the boys’ and girls’ teams passed by a worn-down basketball court – once a catchall storage space during the COVID era – without much thought. Now, in its place, stand four impressive glass squash courts, including a show court that has quickly become the centerpiece of the program. For many of us, myself included, the upgrade has reshaped not only how we play, but how we experience the sport at KO.
“I mean, it was pretty awesome,” senior boys squash Co-captain Ciaran Concepcion said when asked about his first reaction. Having played squash at KO for six years, Concepcion had watched the program grow while hearing promises of expansion. “It was just really nice to see it all come together…and the courts are great to play on.”
The contrast with the old setup is hard to overstate. Concepcion described the previous space. “It was an old gym… completely run down, where our players entered through a small door to reach the original courts,” he stated. While those four traditional courts are still in use, the new addition has transformed the facility from functional to genuinely competitive.
Junior squash player Ashton Binalla emphasized how the upgrade changes the atmosphere. “I love the new courts. It feels like a real varsity facility,” he said. The all-glass construction, still being a novelty for many KO players, adds both energy and challenge. According to Binalla, the courts are louder, and the specialized ball required for show court play can occasionally be tricky to track. Still, he reinforced the shared enthusiasm over the upgrade. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “You just feel like a better squash player by playing on those courts.”
On the girls’ side, the reaction has been equally positive. Senior girls Co-captain Lia Prahl recalled being surprised when she first saw the finished space. Unlike some who had seen sneak peeks, Prahl walked in without a clear sense of what the layout would be. “I was really excited to play on them for the first time, because I’d never really played on glass courts,” she explained.
That excitement has translated directly into team energy. Prahl noted that practices and matches now feel noticeably different. “It’s just a lot more exciting,” she reflected. “I think the energy is better. It’s a much neater and more aesthetically pleasing space. So it’s just a big morale booster, especially since these are our home courts.”
As a girls varsity co-captain myself, I’ve felt that shift firsthand. There’s a tangible buzz when we walk into the facility now – even on long practice days. The brightness of the glass courts and the open viewing space make the environment feel more purposeful. It’s easier to focus, and, for many players, to take pride in being part of the program.
The upgrade has not gone unnoticed by visiting teams, either – though their reactions have evolved dramatically. Before the renovation, Prahl remembered that opponents often seemed confused upon arrival. “Someone pointed to a door and said, ‘Go in there,” she said with a laugh. “I think one girl at one point said, ‘This looks like a dungeon.”
Now, the response is almost the opposite. Concepcion noted that even teams who have only heard about the courts have been amazed. When they see them in person, many seem to be slightly surprised by the scale of the upgrade.
Prahl has witnessed similar reactions courtside. She’s heard players walk in and simply say “wow,” while opposing coaches have gone out of their way to compliment the facility. The new courts don’t just improve daily practices; they elevate KO’s presence in the highly competitive New England squash landscape.
Head Coach Cameron Biondi believes the impact goes beyond aesthetics. “Facilities send a message about what a program values,” Coach Biondi said. “These courts show our players and our opponents that KO is serious about the sport and about giving students a high-level competitive environment.” He added that the show court in particular creates new opportunities for team building and matchday excitement.
There are still adjustments ahead. With the season already nearing its close and only a handful of home matches on the new courts, both teams are just beginning to settle into the upgraded space. Still, the early impact is clear: the facility has raised energy levels, sharpened focus, and set a new standard for what KO squash can look like moving forward.
For those of us who remember the old setup, the difference is striking. What was once a tucked-away corner of KO’s extended campus now feels like a true home for the program – one built not just for today’s players, but for its future.
