SUPPORTIN SPORT FUND
JERSEY SQUASH AND RACKETBALL ASSOCIATION
The Jersey Squash and Racketball Association have been awarded £9,000 in 2024 to support the delivery of their school and community programmes. The initiative is expected to directly benefit around 1,000 participants through the award received by the SUPPORTIN SPORT Fund.
Delivered by the Jersey Squash and Racketball Association (JSRA), their project aims to grow junior participation in squash through targeted delivery in schools, after-school and holiday programmes. These programmes will provide pathways into their well-established development programmes for sustained engagement in squash, with the aim of this participation continuing into adulthood. This funding will contribute to activating the Jersey Squash and Racketball Association’s strategic plan which focuses on increasing overall participation in the sport.
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Delivery of the pilot ‘Squash in Schools’ programme has been led by Head Coach Antony Harkin and supported by volunteer coaches, successfully delivering 2.5 days of squash to local primary and secondary schools between September to December:
Plat Douet School
Plat Douet’s proximity to the Squash Club was a huge benefit to their involvement and sustained engagement in the sport, after all students in Year 5 and 6 (2 form intake) received 1 hour coaching per week, over a 6 week period. This involved 1 paid coach and three additional coach volunteers delivering to groups of 6 students across 4 squash courts. The students all really enjoyed the sessions which included squash-specific movement drills and a different ‘hitting’ theme each week. On week 6, a team competition was delivered focusing on the skills they had acquired over the 5 weeks. Feedback from the students and the school has all been very positive. Students all had a great workout from the movement drills and working in smaller groups of 6, and it was fantastic to see the students progress at all levels. Racket sports are great for general body coordination and even for those who initially found it hard, we saw a lot of progress in their physical skills. As a result of delivery in Plat Douet, the school brought 12 year 5 students to JSRA’s Primary School Squash Festival event that was held on 30 January.
JCG
The JSRA are committed to attracting more girls to play squash, so worked with JCG to deliver after school sessions at the recently refurbished squash courts at Victoria College. During the Spring term, coaches also delivered sessions groups of 10 year 7 students across 2 courts, for a 6-week rotation. At least 2 of these students are now attending the JSRA’s Junior Academy in St Clement. A particular success story comes from the support provided to an autistic student who initially found the environment of trying a new sport challenging, however after engaging for a term, has found her coordination has significantly improved and she is a very welcomed member of the group by all the other students.
Victoria College
Following the successful refurbishment of the Victoria College courts (funded by a private donation to the JSRA and member assistance), coaching was offered to Years 7-11 in groups of 10 during curriculum PE, lunchtime clubs and after school clubs. Feedback from the school and the students was very positive, with a number of boys signing up to participate in the Junior Academy or an internal lunch club as a result of the sessions.
La Moye School
The sessions have been delivered to two year 5 classes using 6 squash-specific rebound nets, thanks to the large available space in the school hall. This meant that sessions could involve 24 students at a time, hitting in pairs either side of the net, which is an effective method to deliver an introduction to racket sports and hand eye coordination.
Mont Nicolle
Delivery of Friday after school clubs to a smaller group of around 8 with the use of squash nets.
Find contact details and more information about the Jersey Squash and Racketball Association in our SPORTS DIRECTORY: