It is of our humble opinion that more needs to be done in supporting of community-based squash programmes, from closure.
Last month we were saddened to hear about the removal of squash courts at Bath Sports & Leisure Centre was a major blow for the sport to make way for more profitable activities from which the courts will be used for trampolining sessions.
From a business perspective, this was a poor strategic management decision by GLL, given the strong number of squash players who used the squash courts – 100.
World Female No.1
Just last year it was announced that participation in squash was on the up and also Laura Massaro (below) ended the year as the female world squash no.1; if this isn’t enough incentive for GLL to keep the squash courts at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre, what it is!!
With the UK Squash Championship taking place this month, there will be plenty of young people inspired to take up the sport because of the likes of Laura, Nicol David and Nick Matthews – however, with the threat of squash courts being removed – where else can the next generation of squash learn about the sport? Overseas!!
Photo Credit: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images – source The Guardian
With the UK Squash Championship taking place this month, there will be plenty of young people inspired to take up the sport because of the likes of Laura, Nicol David and Nick Matthews – however, with the threat of squash courts being removed – where else can the next generation of squash learn about the sport? Overseas!!
It is common knowledge, that one tennis star from the UK learnt their craft playing tennis overseas and went on to become the first Brit to win Wimbledon in over 5 decades.
Needless to say, this should not the be case for Squash.
However, if this is down to finance – collaborative partnerships can help fund various Squash initiatives as a form of CSR along with funding from the local authority too.
Types of initiatives
As someone who is a squash and community business, advocate, we would suggest the following points to support squash development locally:
- More taster sessions for young people at the leisure centres or private members club
- Open squash tournaments – inviting people of all abilities to take part
- Fundraising events with squash as an event to raise money for local causes
Any of these initiatives can squash more to the forefront of the local community. Let us not forget, following the success of London 2012 (despite squash not being a featured event) a sporting legacy is supposed to be built upon to inspire people of all ages into sports – thus squash this magic should be rubbing off onto squash as well.
Final Thoughts
Squash has a lot f potential as a sport that every young person from the inner-city can participate in with their peers.
Taking into these points raised, we reckon it can happen and would partner up with any company to help bring Squash to the mainstream.
As for venues, there should be some form of a legal covenant to prevent closure on the basis of putting to a vote to help keep the provision alive. This could be getting funding through local grants to help promote the sport to a wider audience via an outreach programme.
Alternatively, find replacement venues to accommodate the closure of local Squash provisions, and then work harder to boost local interest to new audiences, thus retaining the existing local audience.
To conclude, Squash in the UK can become great providing it capitalising on its successes and making it more accessible to those who live in the inner-city, via school partnerships, etc.
