The Vision That Started iMask
A coach’s concern. A decade of problem-solving. A legacy of protection.
iMask has changed hands over the years, but its purpose has never changed.
Since October 2016, iMask has been proudly owned and operated by Simon and Lois Stanbridge, a family-run business continuing the manufacturing of most components in Tasmania, Australia. What they steward today, however, began decades earlier—with one man, one sport, and one clear vision.
Max Moorhouse’s Vision
iMask was invented by Max Moorhouse, an Australian NCAS-accredited Level 2 senior squash coach who spent many years on court with players of all ages and abilities.
From that vantage point, Max saw what others often missed.
He saw how fast the game was becoming.
He saw how close players stood in tight rallies.
And he saw how vulnerable the eyes were—especially when a racquet or ball struck at full speed in a confined space.
Max also noticed something more troubling:
the players most at risk were often the least protected.
Women.
Children.
Beginners.
Spectacle wearers.
As a coach, Max couldn’t ignore it.
Imagine being hit with a full-blooded racquet swing on the legs, he would say.
Now imagine that impact on your face… or your glasses.
That thought alone was enough to drive him to action.
Designing Protection for Real Players
Although iMask has since proven useful across a range of small-ball sports, it was developed specifically to prevent eye trauma in squash—from both the ball and the racquet.
At the time, protective eyewear existed, but uptake was poor. Players complained of fogging, discomfort, poor vision, and incompatibility with glasses. Max understood that safety would only work if players actually wore it.
So he set out to design something different.
Over nearly 10 years of development, Max refined a patented concept that addressed the real-world problems he saw every day on court:
- A flat-manufactured design, allowing the eyewear to be assembled by the purchaser
- The ability to disassemble the unit for compact, flat storage after play
- Or simply leave it assembled, with no long-term effect on performance or durability
Every element was considered carefully—not in a lab, but through the lens of coaching, play, and experience.
A World First
In 1995, Max Moorhouse’s vision reached a major milestone.
iMask became the first protective eyewear to gain approval from the World Squash Federation.
It was a defining moment—not just for the product, but for squash safety worldwide. It validated the idea that eye protection could be effective without compromising the game.
Carrying the Vision Forward
Today, under the care of Simon and Lois Stanbridge, iMask continues to be manufactured in Tasmania and supplied to players who value both performance and protection.
While ownership has changed, the foundation laid by Max Moorhouse remains firmly in place.
iMask still exists for the same reason it always has:
To protect the most vulnerable players.
To remove excuses for not wearing eye protection.
And to ensure that no game of squash costs someone their sight.
That was Max Moorhouse’s vision.
It’s a vision we are proud to continue.