Last Friday marked the successful conclusion of the inaugural “Squash – Supporting Children’s Physical Literacy Journey in Primary School” Teacher’s Summer Course in Ballina and Thurles. Over the week, 33 enthusiastic primary school teachers participated, learning how to seamlessly introduce the dynamic game of squash to their students while aligning with the Primary Curriculum.
The course culminated with an engaging visit to the Ballina and Thurles Squash Clubs, where teachers had the chance to try the game firsthand, meet with some club officials and explore the excellent facilities available. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with teachers now equipped with the necessary resources and expertise to bring squash into their classrooms in the upcoming school year.
This groundbreaking initiative was made possible by the collaborative efforts of many dedicated individuals and organisations. A heartfelt commendation goes out to the course authors and tutors, namely Ivan O’Mahony, Michael Hassett, Mark Healy and to Michael McKenzie from the Mayo Education Support centre for driving the programme. Special thanks are also due to the members of Irish Squash who provided unwavering support through their commitment of time and expertise and to staff at the Thurles and Mayo Education Support Centres and for their exceptional administrative and logistical support, as well as for managing the resource pack loan scheme for schools going forward. The Directors of the three centres deserve recognition for backing the course, selecting it to run in their catchment areas, and funding the necessary provisions for tutors and participants.
The success of this course has laid a solid foundation that can be replicated in other regions across the country next summer, with additional planning and recruitment of tutors., in turn creating more opportunities to build a squash community in the schools across Ireland. This initiative not only benefits teachers and children but also fosters the growth of squash, creating a lasting impact on the sport’s future in Ireland.
Great news for squash sports clubs nationwide: Ireland’s official guide to managing waste, MyWaste, has today launched a free sustainability toolkit designed to help sports clubs improve waste management practices and embrace the principles of a circular economy. Supported by the Federation of Irish Sport, the MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit marks a significant step toward fostering environmental sustainability within the Irish sports community.
New research conducted by MyWaste in conjunction with the Federation of Irish Sport reveals that over 90% of clubs believe they could enhance their waste management efforts. Key findings from the survey include:
The toolkit offers practical steps to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics, strategies to promote the reuse of sports gear, tools to track progress, and engaging communication assets to raise awareness. Sinéad Ni Mhainnin from the Regional Waste Management Planning Office highlighted the toolkit’s significance: “By equipping sports clubs with the right knowledge and resources, we can collectively make substantial strides toward a greener future.”.
The first phase of the toolkit’s rollout will focus on raising awareness and encouraging adoption by sports clubs nationwide. An Online Masterclass will also be held later this year for club representatives to learn more about the toolkit and best practices.
For more information and to download the free MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit, click here.
Belfast Boat Club squash player Shriya Drawid took up the sport when she was eight and it was her older brother Rohan who first inspired her, and has gone on to become a recipient of the Mary Peters Trust athlete awards.
“Along with mum and dad, I was always around squash and squash players, watching Rohan compete and experiencing the vibe. I just loved it and wanted to be part of that world,” Shriya relates.
“I joined the junior section of Belfast Boat Club, then took private lessons and trained very hard. By age 10 I was playing in U13 as well as U11 tournaments and at that stage I realised I was good at squash. It gave me the impetus to really push forward.”
The Methodist College, Belfast student has finished Year 1 of her GCSE studies and became a Mary Peters Trust athlete in Spring 2022. Shriya has met Lady Mary on several occasions, including at the Trust’s Athletes Academies held each year and bringing together young sports people from across Northern Ireland to officially celebrate their funding awards.
Massive thank you to Local Sport Women for running Shriya’s story – Full story here
Irish Squash has announced the Under 13 and Under 15 team to play in the 5 Nations tournament between Ireland, France, Wales England & Scotland. The tournament will be held in the Squash Wales Centre in Cardiff from Friday 5th April to the 7th.
We wish all the players the best of luck and congratulate them on their selection for the international team.
The teams are:
The WIS Racket Sports Team -Tennis Ireland, Badminton Ireland, Irish Squash and Table Tennis Ireland – are
delighted to announce our new Women in Sport leadership event. The event will take place at Carlow Lawn Tennis Club, Oak Park Road Carlow, R93 K402 on Saturday 27th April at 2.00pm – 6.00pm.
This event is open to qualified female Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis and Squash coaches. The event will include a talk from guest speaker Chloe Magee and give participants a chance to gain experience by leading
a participation event. There will be great networking opportunities on the day with refreshments included and a free t-shirt for all participants.
Register here for the event: https://forms.gle/zWJHfNkdboHQQz1dA
For more information email [email protected]
Participation Event
The WIS Racket Sports Team -Tennis Ireland, Badminton Ireland, Irish Squash and Table Tennis Ireland – are delighted to announce our new Women in Sport initiative, ‘Come and Try It’ Day. The event will take place at Carlow Lawn Tennis Club, Oak Park Road Carlow, R93 K402 on Saturday 27th April at 4.00pm – 6.00pm.
This event, organised jointly by the 4 sports, will create opportunities for females of all ages and abilities to try a new sport(s), meet old friends and make new ones, but the main aim will be to interact with one another through sport while having fun.
As well as welcoming existing members of the 4 sporting bodies, we will be delighted to see females with no sporting background. Coaches from each of the 4 sports will ensure everyone gets a chance to experience the sports and make it a fun day for all.
The event is Free of Charge, please register your interest here: https://forms.gle/Qu3zNEUYu6RfTWsZ7
Irish Squash have selected Hannah Craig, Breanne Flynn, Emma Lundy and Hannah McGugan for 2024 ESF European Division 3 Squash Championships in Bucharest, Romania from April 17th – 20th. Ciara Moloney Doheny is named as a non-traveling reserve.
Off the back of her second national title and a stellar few months on the pro-circuit, moving to 91st in the world, Irish no.1 Hannah Craig is included in the side. She is joined by 2024 national finalist and multiple time national senior champion, Breanne Flynn. Craig’s fellow Lisburn Racquets Centre team-mate, Emma Lundy has secured her seat on the plane with some impressive performances throughout the season. With bronze medals in the senior nationals and Leinster senior open this season, Hannah McGugan completes the travelling team.
The addition of pro-circuit sensation, Craig and multiple national champion Flynn, puts team Ireland in a very promising position to avenge last season’s finish, when they were relegated from division 2 and the women will no doubt fancy their chances of rebounding back up a division in April.
Team Coach Ken Flynn says he’s “very excited and upbeat as Coach to select and participate in the 2024 European Championships with Irelands strongest players available for selection this Championship”. He added, “our realistic goal with such a strong team is to regain promotion back to Division 1-2 and regain our rightful place among Europe’s elite teams”.
There are high hopes for a squad marrying form, youth and experience with promotion the goal as action is set to get underway on April 17th.
Updates will be provided across our social channels as the girls get underway in April and their opponents, schedule and results will be available here – ESF European Team Division 3 Squash Championships 2024
Irish Squash Federation Constitution Mark Up Recommened by the Board
Irish Squash Federation Constitution Clean Copy Recommened by the Board
Irish Squash Organisation Structure Summary
Draft Terms of Reference for Interprovincial Forum
The five new sports heading to the LA28 Olympic Games have come together on International Women’s Day to inspire inclusivity in sport.
Squash World No.1 Nour El Sherbini was joined by baseball softball’s Kelly Maxwell, cricket’s Smriti Mandhana, flag football’s Diana Flores and lacrosse’s Erica Evans in a video message promoting this year’s International Women’s Day theme: #InspireInclusion
View the full story and incredible video here – https://www.worldsquash.org/new-olympic-sports-inspire-inclusivity-on-international-womens-day-2024/
