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Getting children stoked for Commonwealth Games

by | Aug 2, 2022 | News - General

WLTSC opens its doors to children to stoke excitement ahead of Commonwealth Games

 

Last summer, a year before the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, organisers announced that they wanted to give one million children an authentic Games experience.

On Friday, the Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club fulfilled that dream and opened its doors to schools and members of the local community to get them involved in six sports which will take pride of place at the Games.

Children from seven schools got the run of the club until 2pm, where they got to try out squash, boxing, wrestling, wheelchair basketball, table tennis, and archery.

Helen Tottey, director of squash and racketball at the club, said: “You can hear the laughter as you walk in. I asked some of the children what they were excited for and they said “everything”.

“We’re very excited because the Commonwealth Games is really good for all sports and it’s important to get juniors involved in sports.

“The Olympics united the whole country and Wimbledon puts the spotlight on tennis, but the Commonwealth Games has everything and gives people ideas about different sports.”

The children even got coaching from double medal winning Paralympic archer Mel Clarke, who bought in her silver medal and 2012 Paralympic torch to show the children.

Community engagement manager for the Birmingham Games, Asma Ajaz-Ali, said: “We’re hoping to celebrate and inspire, so children can take a piece of the game and have a go themselves.

“They can say ‘oh wow, where can I go to do this’ and coaches can signpost them to local clubs.

“It’s nice for a facility like this to open its doors to local schools and communities and take advantage of what’s on offer – we’re trying to bring the games to the people.”

Children from St Luke’s Primary, St Andrews Primary, Bilston CofE Primary School, Whitgreave Primary, Eastfield Primary, St Pauls CofE Primary, and Claregate Primary School all took part, before the club was opened to everyone from 2pm.

Commonwealth Games mascot Perry the Bull even made an appearance, posing with members of the public and getting involved with some of the sports on offer.

Mike Harris, head of squash and racketball at the club, is also head of Squash United, the Legacy Programme for Squash at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Mike said: “We wanted to take squash to the people and that meant getting it outdoors.
“To build an outside squash court or take one to a school – it’s just not practical, you could only take a net.

“So we build these mini outdoor courts which are a quarter of the size of a usual court.

“The Commonwealth Games pledged to give a million children a Games experience, and Squash United has seen over 80,000 children so far.

“It was our responsibility to see 50,000 but we’ve done that and we’re still going. We hope to meet 90,000 by the time the Games start and 100,000 by its completion.

“Squash isn’t in the Olympics so we’re very excited for the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s time for squash to be showcased.”

July is for Juniors

by | Jul 22, 2022 | Squash News

July is for Juniors

WOW what a month we’ve had at WLTSC. Juniors from our club, local schools and squash players from far and wide, have been the main focus this month. They have given us joy & laughter and pride at their keenness and dedication to trying something new, developing their skills and representing our club and themselves.

The month began with the Official Wolverhampton Commonwealth Games Roadshow, where over 150 children had the opportunity to try #squash, archery, cricket, wrestling, table tennis, boxing and wheelchair basketball. The joy and laughter began from 9am as the 9 Primary schools – St Luke’s, St Andrews, Bilston CofE, St Pauls CofE, Eastfield, Whitegreave, Claregate, and Newbridge Prep and Wolverhampton Grammer, arrived to take part in the day. When one of the children was asked what they were looking forward to the most, they replied with “everything”!

Their laughter and excitement got louder when Perry the Bull, the official Commonwealth Games mascot arrived at lunch-time for photo’s and more fun. Throughout the day, everyone was treated to meeting professional sports people; from previous professional table tennis player, Carl Morgan, double medal winning Paralympic Archer, Mel Carter, who brought along her medals and Olympic torch from London 2012 and Declan James; professional squash player and one of Team England players at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The day was made possible, thanks to our Head of Squash & Racketball Mike Harris, whose passion for squash and ‘taking it to the people’ is one of the many reasons he is also head of Squash United, the legacy programme for #B2022.

Talking about the aim of the roadshows, Mike said “The Commonwealth Games pledged to give a million children a Games experience, and Squash United has seen over 80,000 children so far using purpose built mini courts. Squash isn’t in the Olympics so it is time for squash to be showcased at the Commonwealth Games and at days like today.”

Then on Saturday 2nd July, the juniors continued to take centre stage with our England Squash Junior Bronze event. Forty children travelled from as far as Durham, to take part in the various age category tournaments. WLTSC’s own, Leon Smith won the main title in the Boys U19; Santana was runner up in the Girls U15 and Conner Walton, Arjun Toira, James Corey and Pheron Hall, all competed admirably in the other age categories competed for during the day. They all enjoyed the opportunity to test out their squash skills against different opponents that will help their own games develop in future.

And while balls were being hit on the squash courts, one of our junior tennis players, Henry Searle walked out onto court number 7 at Wimbledon to take part in his first Wimbledon Junior tournament. Although he lost to the 2nd seed, he played brilliantly and for those watching on TV’s or computers; you could hear the cheers from the WLTSC support team!
So, if you know anyone who would like to be part of our thriving junior programme, get in touch by calling 01902 755265 or email club@wltsc.com.

One million people see squash in action at Grand Central Birmingham

by | Apr 22, 2022 | Squash News, Uncategorised

One million people see squash in action at Grand Central Birmingham

Mike Harris, from Squash United and Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club (WLTSC), takes squash to the people in one of a series of events to promote the racquet sport in the lead up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Thousands of people were recently given the opportunity to play squash on a glass court and 2 mini courts set up in the middle of the concourse in Birmingham's main train station, Grand Central. The £170,000 glass court was in situ for 8 days to showcase and raise the profile of squash and played host to a number of world ranked squash players, local club players, school children, commuters and passers-by. 

Harris, Head of Squash and Racketball at WLTSC, also known as “Mr Squash”, commented ‘Squash will be played during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and this was the largest of Squash United’s community events to promote squash so far, it gave thousands of people from the West Midlands the chance to try the sport. This is the part of a year-long legacy programme for the games organised by Squash United, where we showcased squash to over 1 million people who passed through the station, certainly smashing our aim of reaching thousands.’

Harris continues, ‘This has probably been the biggest community squash event to have taken place in the UK – possibly the world! Approximately 4750 people took part in exciting initiatives over the days including 1250 young people playing squash for the first time. The programme on the glass court included fixtures between professional squash players like Welsh No.1 and World No.8 Joel Makin as well as Birmingham’s Sarah-Jane Perry, giving spectators a true sense of what to expect during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games!’

WLTSC host a Commonwealth Games Roadshow on 1st July, 28 days before the Games begin on 28th July. Local schools and community groups will be invited to participate in 6 of the sports being competed in, including squash, giving another opportunity for Mr Squash and Perry the Bull (the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games’ official mascot), to promote the benefits of squash and sport in general to people in Wolverhampton.

If you have been inspired to play squash, contact Mike.harris@wltsc.com to learn about the opportunities for all standards and ages at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club or visit https://www.wltsc.com/squash-racketball/.

Special Educational Needs and Disability/Junior development fundraiser 29 June

by | Apr 18, 2022 | Community Events, News - General

Special Educational Needs and Disability/Junior development fundraiser

29th June
Long standing member of the club, John Vaughan passed away a number of years ago. He wanted to leave a lasting legacy so his family very kindly donated some money to create our John Vaughan SEND and Jnr Development Fund.

Since then we have had many donations and a special post covid fundraising event in June 2021 raised an additional £5,000. As of 8th November 2021, the John Vaughan SEND & Jnr Development Fund amounts to £7,778.53.

Aim of the Fund

The fund is to be used to enhance the club’s inclusivity credentials and reputation within the local community and specifically to enable minority groups and young people to experience the positive effects of playing sport and being active.