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- Squash Wales Autumn 2024 Newsletter
Squash Wales Autumn 2024 Newsletter
Russell Edwards
October 16, 2024
As we welcome the crispness of autumn and warm up with extra games of our favourite sport, we're excited to share updates on junior events, player highlights, club achievements, and brilliant squash initiatives!
Dive right in...
Performance Players 🌟
Well done to Joel Makin on his win at the British National Championships in August and more recently his performance at the Silicon Valley Open, where he …!
And congratulations to Tesni Murphy and Emily Whitlock on reaching the semi-final of the British nationals.
Here are a list of the games coming up in October and November for our top players… Some matches will be available on Squash TV, check here for more information.
League Update 🏆
Winter season has begun and after a few initial challenges all leagues are up and running. We have lost 2 teams since the start of the season - Bangor University and Ynys Mon 3 in the Eryri leagues due to injuries and player availability but we hope to welcome both these teams back for the Spring 2025 season.
Membership continues to improve with new players joining almost on a daily basis - certainly keeping me busy creating player profiles and adding players to ranking lists!
On the subject of rankings, Mid season is almost here, so there will be an opportunity for clubs to ”fine tune” their rankings, if required, to maintain as much competitive and fair squash as possible. Deadline for proposed rank changes is Friday 25th October and Club Leads will be contacted about this shortly.
After 5 games now played by most teams things are looking tight at the top of a number of leagues.
Swansea A are currently leading Premier A but both Merthyr A and Abergavenny A are in hot pursuit
Llantrisant A, Rhiwbina B, and Llanelli A are all looking as potential promotions to Premier A for Spring 2025 and
With Monmouth A and Old Penarthians A look like they could may be joining the Premiership next season; and could be joined by either Meads A or Llanelli B who are virtually neck and neck at the top of West Central One
But, its early days and anything could happen!! 👍
Good luck to all teams in all leagues and enjoy the rest of the Winter 2024 season
Welsh Masters Open 🏴
Complete your registration for the Karakal Welsh Masters Open 2024, before the 8th November closing date!
The Open will be taking place from the 29th November until the 1st December. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this fantastic event and bag yourself a trophy.
Junior Events ✨
We’re thrilled to announce there’s been a record number of Welsh players entering the British Junior Closed this year, as well as Welsh players in the following events in October:
🏴 England Squash Silver in Chichester
🇩🇰 Danish Junior Open
❄️ Nordic Junior Open
If events like these feel a little out of reach, we’ve got the perfect event for juniors who are new to competitive Squash. The Junior Individual Development Event is happening at Swansea Tennis and Squash Club on 9th November 2024, entries close 1st November. Sign up by emailing [email protected] with the player’s name, age and phone number.
Player Spotlight 🤩
Welsh International Squash Player, Noah Allnatt shares his inspiring journey from grassroots to representing Wales internationally, in an exclusive interview with us.
Noah credits his passion for the sport to his local club in Swansea. His dedication and perseverance led him to compete in prestigious events like the 5 Nations and the European U15 Junior Team Championships. Read more about Noah’s journey and his hopes for the future here.
The Clubs 🏘️
Fantastic news for some of our clubs receiving funding and progressing with grant applications…
Ynys Mon squash club and Monmouth squash club have been awarded the Be Active Wales Fund (BAWF)
Wrexham, Cowbridge, Llanelli, Maesteg and Rhiwbina all through to the second round of the application for an Energy saving grant.
Porthcawl squash club deserve a special shout out for starting up their junior section this month with great success. Well done and good luck!
And here’s the renovation work underway at Beaufort Park’s courts courtesy of the Cost of Living Fund.
Squash in Schools 🚸
Squash in Schools Programme started this term.
With 7 schools across Carmarthen, Swansea, Neath, Cardiff and Anglesey involved this half term and many more booked in later in the year, we aim to increase squash Wales exposure in the primary educational system while supporting the national curriculum developing basic physical literacy including hand-eye coordination and lateral movement.
Each school receives 2 sessions delivered by Squash Wales (Week 1 & Week 6) and a resource pack consisting of 4 activity-based lessons. The lessons are based around the development of 5 specific skills leading to the achievement of the Off The Wall level 1 Squash award. During the final week (Week 6) the school are invited to the local squash club to round off the experience.
Following completion of the level 1 award, schools will be offered the opportunity to partake in the level 2 programme, focussing on basic racket skills and squash shots.
Any clubs or schools that would like further information please contact [email protected].
Squash Learning & Development 📒
Coaching Level 1 & 2 👟
Get certified as a Squash Coach - sign up for our coaching courses:
Level 1: 26th October
Level 2: 16th & 17th November
Boost your coaching skills and help shape the next generation of players. Visit squashwales.com/events for more info and to register!
‘How to…’ video collection 🎬
We’re releasing a number of ‘How to…’ Squash short videos on our social and YouTube channels. Great for sharing with friends who are just getting into Squash. Watch them here.
Safeguarding
Time to Listen Course👂
Squash Wales is offering a free Safeguarding Time to Listen course in the near future. This 3-hour workshop, developed by the Child Protection in Sport Unit, is tailored specifically for Club Safeguarding Officers.
The workshop uses practical examples and case studies to help you understand your role within the club and Squash Wales, ensuring you can effectively safeguard those in your care.
If you run a junior section or are in the process of starting one, attending this course is mandatory. The course is certificated, valid for 3 years, and part of the qualification required for Club Safeguarding Officers.
To express interest or for more information, please contact David Evans at [email protected].
Feel free to reach out with any questions!
The Winning Parent Webinar 👀
Squash Wales are in the process of finalising dates that will give our members the fantastic opportunity to join a webinar lead by Danny Massaro author of the book “The Winning Parent” which is a parent’s guide for the journey of competitive sport. Danny is a sports psychologist who has also coached squash at various levels. Danny is also coach/husband to 2x British Open and World Champion Laura Massaro. Please keep a look out for the dates.
Child Protection Policy
Please see link for Squash Wales Child Protection Policy/Procedures here.
Other Squash Wales News 🗞️
Anti-Doping 🙅
Squash Wales 2024 annual submission to UKAD has been reviewed and accepted. Please find details below regarding the published 2025 Prohibited List now confirmed as being in force and a summary of the major modifications which can be found on the Agency’s website via the following links:
2025 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods
2025 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes
As the WSF is a signatory of the WADA Code it’s mandatory to comply with this list and the full details are also available under the Anti-Doping Information section of the WSF website.
If you have any questions or queries please contact Squash Wales Anti-Doping Lead: [email protected]