PSA pro Millie Tomlinson founded the Graded Squash Tour four years ago to “connect the squash community and make the sport more inclusive” — and now she’s growing her concept internationally.
Tomlinson has now staged almost 50 Graded Squash Tour tournaments at clubs across the UK. The events allow amateur players, who are in some cases below 500 on Squash Levels or even beginners, to rub shoulders with pros who compete for prize money in the highest men’s and women’s grades.
It’s a passion project for world no.66 Tomlinson, who combines it with competing on the PSA Tour. It’s the connections she makes whilst travelling the world that have now allowed the 33-year-old to takes the Graded Squash Tour outside the UK for the first time.
In June, the Graded Squash Tour arrived at Amsterdam’s iconic 21-court Frans Otten Stadion where 15 British players (from a woman with a Squash Levels rating of 400 to Grade A male players) mixed with local squash enthusiasts in the first ever international graded event. There was a barbeque, DJ and a bit of padel thrown in too.
Tomlinson used to play for the Frans Otten Stadion in the Dutch Eredivisie and organised the event in partnership with the club’s British coach Rich King.
Tomlinson told Squash Player: “It was so great to see players from my British events getting along with the Dutch players and everyone coming together, making friends for life and forging connections in a foreign country.
“It’s the same effect that I’ve benefited from on the pro tour, these connections you make all over the world. I wanted to foster that same atmosphere in England and now into Europe as well.
“I’ve travelled all over playing squash and one of the best things about squash is the global community it creates, whether it’s career networks, friendships or just meeting like-minded people. That’s what I wanted to share with local players who haven’t had the opportunity to travel around the world and see how great the squash community is.”
Amsterdam was such a success that the second edition is already on the calendar for 2026 and Tomlinson is in early-stage talks with other European clubs about adding more overseas events.
The Graded Squash Tour was founded in 2021 when Tomlinson had suffered a stress fracture of her femur and was ruled out of action for almost a year. “It was the perfect time to pursue a project where I could put something back into the sport,” she said.
“Events are a great way of doing that. They make clubs more vibrant and they’re a great way to get more people playing.”
The first ever competition was at her home club, Duffield in Derbyshire, and she’s now built up the series to 20 events per year at different locations across the UK. September’s event in Grantham, Lincolnshire, will offer the biggest prize pot so far for the pro grade draws (£6000).
There are many benefits for the host clubs. They get free advertising and exposure through social media, and their club is full of players for the entire weekend without having to do any of the work themselves.
“I handle everything, from organisation and promotion to running the event on the day, to social media after the event and keeping records of our winners, meaning it’s minimal to no work for the host club,” says Tomlinson.
“It’s a win-win for them. The two things that people comment on most regularly after the events are the great sense of community that we are creating, and how amazing the atmosphere at a club can be when the courts and bars are full.”
The events cost just £30 to enter and there are usually four or five amateur grades to take part in underneath the men’s and women’s pro level. “It’s grown every year,” said the founder. “Every time we do one at a new club, they ask for another one next year. I’m always looking for new clubs and sponsors to work with.”
Many of Tomlinson’s own sponsors have supported the tour, including Dunlop, 305 Squash, Ashaway, Karakal, Benz Bavarian, Swan Sports Management and Nutrition Works.
One of Millie’s next big goals is to run women-only tournaments for all levels, with prize money in the professional grade. She says: “I’d like to showcase how strong and exciting the women’s pro game is right now and the incredible role models we have in the sport, then also have a range of grades, right down to beginner ladies.”
She adds: “I’ve actually been playing some of my best squash this last year whilst running the Graded Squash Tour. I feel like I’m at a perfect sweet spot in my career, where I have a lot of experience and knowledge about the game, but I’m also still young enough to be very effective physically as well.
“It’s my fun thing to do alongside playing. Work that you enjoy doesn’t really feel like work. I just want to share with people how great the squash community can be. I believe in what we’re creating and in trying to grow the sport.”
How to get involved in the Graded Squash Tour:
Email: gradedsquashtour@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graded_squash_tour
Join the Whatsapp group chat: whatsapp.com/I20sMp45z3TJfb7cOYx0Ub
