Squash in Schools a big hit

2 April 2013

Squash in Schools a big hit

Tawa School children are revelling in their latest school sports programme and its success reflects solid community partnerships.

The KiwiSport-funded programme Squash in Schools has been delivered to 313 school pupils by Tawa Squash Club, under the direction of Squash Wellington.

Senior pupils in Big Nix are guided through various court and playing skills at the club by top New Zealand and Tawa head coach Nick Mita. In Small Nix, junior pupils’ fundamental movement patterns are reinforced during simple, fun sessions at school. They are generally led by squash-playing mums and members from the Tawa Squash community.

Wellington Squash coaching coordinator Ellie Davidson says the Squash in Schools programme emphasises and encourages community partnerships and pathways. It aims to grow awareness of the sport to children through a school – club delivery partnership.

“We aim to involve at least one school with each club in the Wellington area. Up to four schools could participate in the programme at Tawa Squash Club,” says Ellie. Beramphore School pupils are also currently participating in the programme at Island Bay Tennis and Squash Club and later in the year Raroa Intermediate will be playing at Khandallah Tennis and Squash Club and Queen Margaret College pupils will head along to Thorndon Tennis and Squash Club.

The Squash in Schools programme was introduced in the Wellington City region late last year, following a $12,000 grant from KiwiSport, through Sport Wellington. Ten primary or intermediate schools are targeted for Squash in Schools this year, giving 1500 pupils a taste of the sport.

Ellie says the programme aims to provide early movement skills, allowing children to develop the ability and interest to continue at local squash clubs – or transfer across to a wide range of other sporting codes. Schools can take a ‘school-wide approach’ as Tawa School has or focus on one component. Regardless, the emphasis is on children experiencing the sport in context.

“By delivering the programme at the local squash club the children experience the whole sport – being on court, layout of the court, using the facilities – basically putting them in the squash environment,” says Ellie.

She says having Nick Mita based at Tawa Squash club is a bonus for the Tawa School pupils. Nick has a strong background in coaching and his passion to grow squash at the junior level is evident at Tawa Squash Club. Nick is joined by junior coaches so children are taught in small groups.

Nationally, 2013 is ‘Year of Juniors’ for Squash New Zealand. Ellie says the emphasis on growing grassroots interest in the racket sport is timely. Squash was voted as the ‘world’s healthiest sport’ by Forbes magazine and squash athletes are among the fittest in the world. However the sport needs growth at the junior level to sustain those profiles.

Jason Ward, Tawa School sports coordinator says the structured Squash in Schools programme is similar to having specialised PE teachers and lessons for six weeks.

“It’s great. These coaches are skilled in squash and using the courts puts the sport in context. It’s active and fun and all the children are involved all the time.

“Tawa is a great community for sport and this is a great programme which emphasises the club as part of the wider school community,” says Jason.

KiwiSport Manager Peter Woodman-Aldridge says the Squash in Schools programme provides children with the opportunity to try a sport they might not necessarily come across. “Who knows, there may be a potential Susan Devoy at Tawa,” he says.

For more information on KiwiSport please go to sportwellington.org.nz/kiwisport

ENDS

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