Shropshire Squash Academy – yearly report 2021-22

School Engagement

• 13 primary schools and 1 secondary school involving 168 children new to squash at Market Drayton, SSRC, Brookside
• Raising the profile of squash with pupils and school staff
• Showing school providers (like Energize) that squash is accessible, inclusive, exciting and engaging to all and meets curriculum needs and can be done with large groups

PLANS:

• Continue and expand programme in primary schools
• Offer a squash programme to secondary schools

Commonwealth Games Festivals

• Invited by Energize and SGOs to take squash to 2 school festivals involving 600 primary and secondary school children – using the mini-glass court and rebounders
• Set up the mini-glass court in Shrewsbury town centre
• Secured a spot in the CWG Baton Relay
• Attracting new players to the sport using flyers showing local clubs
• Raising awareness of squash amongst public

PLANS:

• More schools festivals and events
• Public events and festivals
• Improve data capture to follow up on interest shown

Squash Stars

• England Squash initiative started at 3 Shropshire clubs: Bishops Castle, Rowton Castle and SSC
• Attracting new players: 33 new juniors have started the 6 week programme and have bought personal squash equipment

PLANS:

• Continue and expand programme into more clubs
• Improve messaging (on club/county websites, social media etc.)

Club Junior Groups

• New junior clubs have started at Rowton Castle and Brookside
• Financed coaches gaining England Squash qualifications
• Provided financial support in buying new kit at Market Drayton

PLANS:

• Support Bishops Castle to start a regular junior coaching club

Development Squads

• 3 county squads BU19, GU13, BU11 training together regularly and going to England Squash events together

PLANS:

• To invite players from more different clubs and to expand the groups to 6-8 players each

Academy Teams

• BU19 intercounty team
• Shropshire league Div. 2 team
• SSC summer league team WINNERS!

PLANS:

• 3 intercounty teams BU19, GU13, BU11
• Div. 1 Shropshire league team 2022-23
• >2 SSC summer league teams
• Div. 1 and Div. 3 Shropshire league teams for 2023-24

Individual Achievements

• 3 nationally ranked girls: Cordelia Jones, Jessica Weaver, Elspeth Jones
• 4 BU11 ranked in the top 80 nationally: George McGurk, Frank Phillips, Fred Schur, Max King
• Billy Schur selected for West Midlands region Aspire squad