Interview: SpunOut talks squash with Harvard’s David Ryan

Squash scholar David Ryan is flying the flag for Ireland at elite intervarsity level in the States.

When 18 year-old Sutton native David Ryan began playing squash, he probably had no idea that his humble sporting obsession would lead to him getting a scholarship at a prestigious American university. The Ireland international talks to SpunOut.ie about how involvement in a minority sport has proven a life-changing experience for him.

So David, how did you first become involved in squash?

A. I first became involved in squash when I was about 5 years old. The reason I got involved was because my dad, Eoin Ryan, is a professional squash coach and I fell in love with the game when watching him play and train. He inspired me to pick up a racket for the first time and always encouraged me to improve.

What did you play when you were younger?

A. When I was younger I played tennis, golf, football, badminton and even basketball. Squash was the only one that really caught my interest though.

How did the offer to go to the world-renowned Harvard University on a scholarship come about?

A. The idea that coming to America was possible came about when a good friend of my family (a former top professional squash player and, at the time, assistant coach at a top American college) asked my dad if I had ever thought about coming to America for college, and that the standard of squash there is amazing and constantly improving. I had never realized that playing squash was something that could get you into a very top college until then.

What’s your course of study in Harvard?

A. At the moment I'm studying Economics, Maths, the Business and Politics of Health and Czech.

Wow, you must be having great fun over there…

A. College life in America is better than you can imagine, especially as an athlete… The standard of squash is very high. Harvard's number 1 on the team graduated last year, and has since become a professional and is already beating some of the best players in the world! It's a hugely international sport over here with all the other freshmen in my class at Harvard being from India, Egypt, England and Trinidad & Tobago.

So, do you think young people are given enough encouragement to take up minority sports in Ireland?

A. I don't feel young people are encouraged enough to take up minority sports because some of the best and most exciting sports in the world are minority sports and just because they're not on the TV, young people aren't exposed to sports that could change their lives. Young people need to be made aware of what they can get out of playing a minority sport. A minority sport got me into Harvard and there are many many other such sports that could do the same for others.

Finally, what advice do you have for young people looking to take up a sport for whatever reason?

A. My advice would always be to just go for it! What do you have to lose?! There are only benefits from taking up a sport and if young people are worried that they don't have time for it I can promise you that you'll find time for a sport if you fall in love with it… Sport is the by far the best way to stay fit and have fun at the same time.