Squash Wales Spring 2025 Newsletter

We've got a busy few months ahead, with major tournaments on the horizon in April, and Easter Squash Camps just around the corner. Inside, you'll find updates from our leagues, details on an upcoming safeguarding course for clubs, and the latest news from our Squash in Schools programme. We're also sharing information on a Level 2 coaching course date and providing an update on the 'Time to Listen' workshop. We hope you enjoy reading about all the exciting things happening in the Squash Wales community.

Dive right in...

• Easter Squash Camp 🐣

• Performance Junior & Senior Players 🌟

  • Seniors

  • Juniors

• League Update 🏆

• The Clubs 🏘️

• Squash in Schools 🚸

• Coaching 📒

• Safeguarding ✋

  • Time to Listen Course

Easter Squash Camp 🐣

During the Christmas break and February half term holiday, we held our first ever Squash Wales holiday camps. With over 50 juniors, current and new, attending the two sessions, our coaches worked to ensure development and enjoyment. Thank you to Sally Davis, Lewis Poole and Rob Cronick for lending their coaching expertise.

Our next camps will be held on the 16th and 24th April, please sign up here.

Performance Junior & Senior Players 🌟

Massive well done to all our players who have competed over the past couple months. Here are some standout moments to celebrate 🙌

Seniors

• Joel Makin won the PSA Pittsburgh Open.

• Joel Makin reached a career high World Ranking of 5.

• Emyr Evans reached a career high World Ranking of 67.

Juniors

• Ollie Jones won U19 Croatian Junior Open 

• Nia Seren Thomas, Grace Breach & Elsie Griffiths all 3rd in French Junior Open. 

• Salah Farrag ranked 2 in Europe in the U13 age group.  Won Slovenian Junior Open, runner up Austrian Junior Open and 3rd place in the German. 

The team selections are now live for the upcoming Five Nations and European Teams Tournaments on the Squash Wales website here.

League Update 🏆

Spring 2025 season is drawing to a close with most teams now entering the last 3 games of the season – and with a number of the leagues looking tight there is still everything to play for!!!

Good Luck to all for these final games.

Please remember that until the final results are in there are no guarantees on many of the promotions and relegations in the feeder leagues as the algorithm used depends on how many teams are received from the Premier League.

League Master will be updated as results are entered so keep your eyes peeled, and details of the algorithm to be used can be found in the League Constitution & Rules (LCR) on the Squash Wales website.

Spring 2025 has been a tough season for some clubs with Llanelli and Abergavenny having to withdraw teams but hopefully Winter 2025 will see the return of those teams.

Winter season will be us in September with the aim to have fixtures starting week commencing Monday 9th September.

I will be in touch in the next few weeks regarding further plans/ league structures etc, for the winter season.

Remember we have our League Annual General Meeting scheduled for Wednesday July 2nd 2025, and there have been a number of proposals received from members for rule changes to be considered. Club Leads will be updated and will be discussing with you any planned changes so ensure your views are heard.

As the league currently stands we are expecting a play off to take place on Thursday May 1st 2025 at Sport Wales,  if it does happen it will start at 7pm and there will be a bar. However with some weeks still to play - anything could happen

In the meantime enjoy the rest of the season and again, Good Luck to all!

The Clubs 🏘️

Our safeguarding audit is almost complete for this year. Thank you for all our clubs who have ensured compliance. If you want to check the status of your club's safeguarding policy, please get in touch.

Squash in Schools 🚸

14 schools have now participated in our Squash in Schools programme with over 600 pupils achieving their OTW Level 1 squash award.

Swansea tennis and squash club hosted Oystermouth and Mayals primary schools while Cardiff and Newport squash clubs hosted Lansdowne and St Mary's primary schools respectively.

We have 4 schools enrolled on our level 1 & 2 programmes this term and look forward to seeing the results and subsequent club visits.

Coaching 📒

3 new coaches completed the level 1 coaching course earlier this month 👏

Our next level 2 course takes place on 17th & 18th May at Newport Squash Club. Please contact Tom Rosser with any enquires [email protected]

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 Squash Wales Lead Safeguarding Officer at [email protected].

Feel free to reach out with any questions!