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FWC: USA vs BEL live on SN ExtraKing Coll reigns again as New Zealand squash gets a glimpse of its next star
Sport Nation • July 7th, 2026 11:57 am
Paul Coll | Photo: Photosport
Paul Coll has claimed his ninth New Zealand squash title, but the Kiwi great was just as quick to praise the future of the sport as he was to reflect on another dominant performance.
Speaking with Israel Dagg and Sam Ackerman on Sport Nation Breakfast, the World No. 2 was in ruthless form when asked about rising talent Oliver Dunbar, joking that while Dunbar is one of the country’s best young prospects, he was not about to let him get too comfortable.
“He’s a good kid and he’s coming up, so I had to keep him where he is,” Coll said.
“I brought in Izzy to watch, just for that intimidation factor in case he tried to do an upset.”
Behind the humour was genuine respect. Coll said Dunbar has already shown the attitude and commitment needed to go a long way in the sport, particularly after making the move to Europe at a young age.
“He’s a real good kid and he’s doing all the right things,” Coll said.
“He’s moved over to Europe, which at his age, 19 or 20, is a tough thing to do. I’m very impressed with his attitude. His game is really good and at that age he is a lot better than what I was.”
Oliver Dunbar | Photo: Photosport
Coll said New Zealand squash has plenty of reason to be excited about Dunbar, while warning against putting too much pressure on one young player.
“We don’t want to pin all our hopes on him, but he has got a good attitude and a good head on his shoulders, so I’m sure he’ll go far.”
For Coll, returning home to play the national championships remains important. The travel is demanding and his schedule is already packed, but he said giving back to the sport that shaped him still means a great deal.
“People gave back to me when I was a junior and I looked up to a lot of these squash players,” he said.
“It’s cool to see the sport I love in such a healthy way back here. If I can help that in any way, then I love coming back.”
Coll admitted the trip was not the easiest one to fit in, but said seeing young fans courtside made it worthwhile.
“It’s been a long trip for me, this one. It’s not really what I want to do, if I’m being honest. But I’ve loved it, just to see all the kids running around and happy to see good squash back in New Zealand. I loved it.”
Despite his continued dominance, Coll said he still feels there is more to come in his own game.
“The game’s going pretty good,” Coll said.
“We’ve made a few changes to my team this year, which has been really cool. It’s added a bit more to my game. I’m really learning a lot and feel like I’m still evolving, so I’m loving it.”
One of the key figures in that evolution is trainer Scott Logan, with whom Coll has launched Performance Labs NZ. Coll said Logan has helped bring a more scientific approach to his preparation, including GPS tracking to make training more specific to squash.
“Scott’s been incredible,” Coll said.
“He’s started working with me and bringing in new sports science to the sport, which no one else in the sport is currently doing. We’re doing GPS tracking to make my training more specific.”
Coll said the goal is to lift training standards not only in squash, but across other sports as well.
“He’s got a hell of a skill set that I’ve not seen in anyone before, so we’re just trying to bring that to squash, but also to all sports, really.”
Away from the court, Coll’s West Coast business, The Do Duck In, is also flying. The family operation has opened a third store in Hokitika, and Coll revealed the numbers have been huge.
“We’ve just expanded to Hokitika, so it’s our third store opening now,” he said.
“This week was huge. We shifted 2,200 sausage rolls in that one store alone. Between the three shops, we went over 5,000 sausage rolls for the week, so if you haven’t had one, you better get in.”
It sums up Coll’s current world. He is still winning, still improving, still giving back and still proudly connected to home.
The next generation may be coming, and Coll is clearly excited by that. But for now, New Zealand squash still belongs to King Coll.
Listen to the full interview below:
