England Squash launches national
performance hub programme
England Squash has announced the launch of a national performance hub
programme to support the next generation of world-class players.
The organisation will work collaboratively with five leading squash
clubs to create ‘home’ environments around the country that enable
players to access world-class facilities, coaching and support services
including strength and conditioning and sports science.
The programme underpins England Squash’s commitment to develop their
existing and future base of talented players at a world-class level and
forms part of a wider review of the opportunities the organisation
provides for funded and emerging athletes within the talent pathway.
The five performance hubs are West Warwickshire Sports Club, Hallamshire
Tennis and Squash Club, Berkhamsted Tennis and Squash Club, Pontefract
Squash and Leisure Club and the National Squash Centre in Manchester.
David Campion, England Squash National Head Coach said: “To develop
world-class talent, we require more accessible world-class environments
for players. The performance hub status is a recognition of ambition
shared with partner clubs and top-level coaches. It will create positive
learning environments and increase contact time with players.”
Rob Owen, Head Coach at West Warwickshire Sports Club said: “I’m
delighted West Warwicks has been chosen as a performance hub by England
Squash. It’s a recognition of the work our players, the club and myself
have put into achieving the results they have over the last five years.
Collectively, we have a desire to continually improve ourselves and
squash in the UK from the grassroots up to the elite level that the Rob
Owen Academy is aimed at. It has personally given me great satisfaction
seeing players getting more out of themselves than they thought possible
and helping them achieve their goals and ambitions. We look forward to a
long and fruitful relationship with England Squash and creating a
long-lasting legacy.”
Nick Matthew, Ambassador at Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club said:
“It’s great to be able to formalise my partnership with England Squash
by helping to create a network where the next generation of players can
grow. When I was a young player, I was able to create a team around me
based in Sheffield between Hallamshire and the English Institute of
Sport with the complete support of England Squash through funding and
expert coaching from the likes of David Pearson and Paul Carter. I’m
delighted that my club Hallamshire has officially become an England
Squash performance hub - a base out of which I hope to support our young
players to fulfil their potential.”
Adam Fuller, Head Coach at Berkhamsted Tennis and Squash Club said: “We
are proud to have a strong relationship with England Squash, and become
a hub for some of England’s finest future prospects. The area has a good
history of players based locally and I’m excited to work alongside Paul
Carter to ensure this continues to be a hub for the future. We look
forward to delivering tailored sessions that suit regular players. We
are excited about creating a fantastic environment for players at
different stages of the pathway to reach their full potential.”
Mick Todd, Owner of Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club said: “Pontefract
Squash and Leisure Club is extremely proud to become an England Squash
performance hub. It’s a fantastic and welcome initiative which we are
pleased and excited to be part of. The aims and objectives of this
partnership extend what we’re already working on at Pontefract where we
consistently produce and develop the current and next generation of
players through carefully devised and proven training schedules designed
by a unique collaboration of Malcolm Willstrop and his team of coaches
with support and guidance from David Campion and expertise in S&C from
Mark Campbell. Pontefract has a well-earned reputation in the squash
world for attracting the world's best players so it’s only right that
our facilities and expertise are made available to benefit home grown
talent.”
Josh Taylor, National Performance Coach based at the National Squash
Centre said: “Manchester is a great city for the sport, having hosted
many major events and been the home to many top professional players
over the years. In partnership with the National Squash Centre and
Manchester City Council, we can continue to help develop an upper end of
the pathway for players and funded athletes to continue to progress
towards their goals. It also allows us to extend our support, and
benefit from experience and expertise across the wider high-performance
coaching network. It’s an exciting development for everyone involved.”
