New Team Announcement: Seattle Freeze + Interview with Freeze Owner Ali Piyarali

The National Squash League is thrilled to announce another exciting new addition to our Women’s League: the Seattle Freeze. With the addition of the Freeze, the NSL officially plants its flag on the West Coast, bringing team squash to a growing community of players and fans in the Pacific Northwest. With squash set to make its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles, the westward expansion of the NSL comes at an opportune time. Seattle fans can also look forward to the launch of a men’s team in Seattle, set to debut in 2027. 

The Freeze is owned by Ali Piyarali, a recently retired executive at Accenture who has deep ties to the city of Seattle and the squash community. Ali was kind enough to answer some questions about his background, his excitement about joining the NSL, and his vision for the Seattle Freeze ahead of their inaugural season. Our correspondence reflected Ali’s ardent passion for community engagement, and his belief in squash’s power to bring people together. We can’t wait for Ali and the Freeze organization’s contributions to the continued growth of the NSL and the game of squash. 

Below is our virtual interview with Freeze owner Ali Piyarali:

Could you share a brief overview of your professional background and current work outside of squash?

I spent 25 years at Accenture, retiring as an executive. Since retirement, I’ve focused on giving back to my community through several volunteer roles: serving as Logistics Manager for the Red Cross in Seattle, helping disaster-affected families; teaching mathematics to middle school students in South Seattle to prepare them for Math Olympiad competitions; and mentoring young college students and recent graduates with career guidance. These experiences have reinforced my belief in the power of community engagement and developing the next generation—values I’m excited to bring to professional squash in Seattle.

Do you have any previous involvement in squash, whether it’s playing, coaching, community efforts, etc?

My squash journey spans over 50 years and multiple continents. It began one hot summer in Karachi, Pakistan, when I was a bored teenager looking for something to do. My friend and I discovered a makeshift squash court with cement walls and floors, and a door so small you had to duck to enter. Before each game, we’d sweep away leaves from the overhanging tree. With no windows, we’d climb that same tree and perch on the concrete ledge to watch our friends play—and ensure they didn’t exceed their time! Simple as it was, it brought immense joy.

That same summer, feeling confident, my friend and I entered a tournament at a prestigious Karachi squash club. My first qualifying match? Against an unknown player named Jahangir Khan, just beginning his legendary career. Final score: 9-1, 9-2, 9-3. I like to say there was steady improvement in my performance! Little did I know how that story would come around (see below)

I’m proudly an ‘average joe’ club player—someone who plays for recreation. I see squash as inherently social, a sport where we welcome newcomers and value the connections we make. Recently, the Masters Circuit has reignited my passion. I’ve competed at World Masters tournaments in Poland and the Netherlands, loving both the fierce competition on court and the camaraderie off it. I’m a self-proclaimed Squashaholic!

What excites you most about joining the NSL, especially as it relates to the direction of women’s squash in particular?

This is an opportunity to give back to Seattle, the city where my children grew up and where I’ve built deep friendships over the decades. I’m thrilled that we’ll be the first NSL team on the West Coast, establishing Seattle as the premier destination for professional squash in the western United States.

Women’s squash particularly excites me because these athletes exemplify what we want to teach the next generation about excellence, ambition, and community. The women competing at this level are complete players—technically brilliant, mentally tough, and inspiring role models. I can’t wait to welcome them as members of the Seattle Freeze and to showcase their talents to Pacific Northwest audiences. Looking ahead, we’re planning to add a men’s Seattle Freeze team in 2027, creating a comprehensive professional squash presence in our city.

Where will the Freeze host their home matches? What standout features of the venue can Seattle fans look forward to?

The Freeze will compete at the Seattle Athletic Club (SAC) in downtown Seattle—a venue with deep squash heritage. SAC was among the first clubs in the Pacific Northwest to feature squash courts, with its program initially led by the acclaimed Yusuf Khan, uncle and trainer of squash legend Jahangir Khan (yes, the same player who defeated me 9-1, 9-2, 9-3!). This storied history makes SAC the perfect home for the Pacific Northwest’s first professional squash team. We are going to call SAC, ‘The Freezer’. The all glass court where we will play is now the ‘Ice Cube’, opponents enter at their own risk. 

The location couldn’t be better: minutes from the iconic Pike Place Market and Seattle’s stunning new waterfront park, right in the heart of historic downtown. Our fans will experience world-class squash in a premium setting with easy access to Seattle’s best attractions.

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The NSL’s inaugural women’s season delivered thrilling, down-to-the-wire competition, and fans can expect more of the same as the Freeze enter the mix. Keep an eye out for announcements regarding official match dates for Seattle’s 2026 season – you won’t want to miss the first NSL match played on The Freezer!