Squash

My name is John Gibson and I am the Area Squash Manager for the North West based at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity Manchester. 

England Squash has a long-standing history for being one of the nation’s most successful sports.  This has been recently recognised with the awarding of one of Sport England’s top ten priority sports.  This recognition led to a further investment in squash that has resulted in us recruiting 6 Area Teams who together are driving the sport further forward at a local level.

I was appointed in September 2004, my main aims are:

• Create and support a network of Squash Clubs and Leisure Centres across the North West, which provides a range of playing and coaching opportunities in a safe, accessible and welcoming environment.
• Develop Minisquash (5-11 years) in Clubs, Leisure Centres and Primary Schools
• Get more clubs Club Chartered (Sport England Club Mark)
• Increase competition for children.
• Create more and better coaches and to increase opportunities for coaches to practice.

Unsquashable Mini Squash got off to an amazing start when it was officially launched live on BBC’s Blue Peter in October 2003, featuring Peter Nicol, the then World and England No1 player, playing on the Mini Mega Zone (an inflatable Mini Squash Court).   The subsequent response has been superb and every coach, club, leisure centre and school now has a chance to be part of the most exciting and innovative junior squash programme England Squash has ever had.  Aimed at 5 to 11-year-olds, Mini Squash forms the very first stage in the National Coaching Scheme Pathway with three further levels - Club Player, County/Regional Player and Potential Programme for Junior National Player.                                                                                                     

Mini Squash offers an ideal introduction to the sport.  This exciting game fits the needs of younger children and is played using specialised equipment designed to help children achieve maximum success.  (Note: To find out more about Mini Squash see the web site www.minisquash.com) .   In the North West Tina Burrows (Ex Head PE Teacher and Level 3 Coach) is the Squash Development Officer for Merseyside and Cheshire whose sole aim is to increase the numbers of children playing. 

The introduction of Mini Squash in Primary School curriculum time is having a tremendous impact on Clubs and Sports/Leisure Centres in England (Note: “Minisquash Teachers Award Courses”.  Once teachers have attended the course, it allows Primary Schools to introduce PE lessons using the Mini Squash FUNdation Level for 5 to 7 years olds).   To have this level of interaction within the Community is to everyone’s advantage, particularly to Youngsters, Parents, Schools and Sports facilities.