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
When the 2026-27 seasons get under way, UBC’s best squash and wrestling athletes will be among the student-athletes representing the blue and gold through the UBC Thunderbirds Sport Clubs (TSC) program. Today’s announcement of the two teams joining the competitive clubs program comes after a months long application and vetting process that began in the fall of 2025.
“We are thrilled to be adding two new Clubs to the TSC Program, providing additional opportunities for student-athletes to develop their leadership skills while proudly representing the Thunderbirds. Both the Squash and Wrestling clubs have demonstrated their readiness to thrive under the TSC banner and we can’t wait to see them in action next season!” wrote Stephanie Jameson, UBC’s Sport Clubs Manager.
Giving Squash a Post-Secondary Home in BC
For years, post-secondary squash opportunities in BC have been limited, leaving many athletes without a pathway to continue competing in BC. In the distant past, UBC was host to a vibrant squash community but the loss of dedicated squash facilities contributed to a dwindling interest throughout the early 2000s. The formation of a squash club as part of the AMS in 2024 proved to be an important catalyst for the return of not only a squash community, but one that supported high-performance athletes. In the two brief years since its founding, the AMS club has already sent players to provincial and national championships.
With the move to operate as a Thunderbirds Sport Club, its student-athletes hope that it will establish a more structured, competitive environment that makes squash more accessible, visible, and sustainable at the university level in BC. Team member, Matt Bicknell, said “we knew that the opportunity of joining the TSC community would provide a space to further strengthen support, recognition, and long-term growth for squash at UBC. As we train for the National University Championships, our goal is to bring together students who love the sport, build community, and inspire the next generation of squash athletes at UBC.”
Khushi Goyal, a current member of the team, also highlighted how this opportunity will grow the game of squash: “It is especially meaningful for me to help create a community where women feel welcomed and supported. With the support of Thunderbird Sports Clubs, we’re increasing visibility, belonging, and shaping a more inclusive future for squash at UBC.”
Follow the Thunderbirds Squash Sports Club on Instagram and visit their team page for future updates about the team.
Wrestling Excited for a Return to T-Birds Glory
Joining the Thunderbirds Sport Club program marks a homecoming of sorts for UBC’s competitive wrestling community, previously having been a part of the Thunderbirds varsity program up until 1987. Although many UBC wrestlers continued to pursue the sport through club opportunities, it was the intentional effort in 2021 to rebuild a competitive program that set the course for today’s exciting announcement. With a focus on high-performance training and national-level competition, the group’s transition from an AMS club to a Thunderbirds Sport Club is a testament to its recognition as a successful wrestling program competing across BC, Canada, and the United States.
Asher Herrod, a student-athlete and one of the driving forces behind wrestling’s return, shared this perspective on the significance of joining the competitive club program: “I’ve been fortunate to compete at the Canadian Wrestling Championships and NCWA Nationals while we’ve been building this program, and getting to those stages hasn’t been easy. Joining TSC doesn’t change our work ethic, but it makes the path clearer. It gives this program the support it needs to grow and reach that next level. It strengthens our governance, supports long-term sustainability, and reinforces that we are representing UBC at a serious competitive level. It also supports our transition into U SPORTS competition next season, which is a major step forward for the program.”
Follow the Thunderbirds Wrestling Sports Club on Instagram and visit their team page for future updates about the team.
For a full list of UBC’s Thunderbird Sports Club, visit our website and follow us on Instagram @ubctsc.
