fbpx

Squash Stars

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Community Events, Squash News

Squash Stars

WOW what an experience I had at Birmingham 2022. I’d never been to a multi-sport event and to be a part of it has totally blown me away.

I had so much fun, inspiring, and entertaining so many young people, families, and squash fans. I truly hope the work I and the Squash United team, along with my wife AKA Mrs Squash did, and will continue to do, will eventually show in increased participation at clubs and sports centres and most importantly here at WLTSC.

I’ve had many highlights in my career as a player and coach but to get the greatest squash player of all time Jahangir Khan, along with Mohamed El Shorbagy, current World No.5, former World No.1 and World Champion on the Mini Squash Court was such a special moment and one I will never forget.

Gina Kennedy, the first English woman to win a Commonwealth Games Singles Gold Medal, also joined me on the Mini Squash Court to play the squash fans (along with her gold medal). Almost the whole England team joined me on the Mini Court as well as competitors from many of the nations, which was brilliant for all the fans.

It was so wonderful to see Declan James, who came to support the Birmingham 2022 Roadshow here at WLTSC, win a Commonwealth Games Men’s Doubles Gold Medal. I was so delighted for him but also for the whole of England Squash Team, winning 6 medals overall.

I’ve had the privilege to coach almost every player on this team, at Junior National Squads when I was an England High Performance Coach. What made it even more special, a few players now have children, and I had the chance to play them on the Mini Squash Court, I had so much fun.

I’ve always believed the Mini Squash Court would be a success and it truly has been. At the Birmingham 2022 Squash venue, we engaged with over 10,000 fans. As well as the main site, I put up Mini Squash Courts at Birmingham 2022 Regional Festival sites in Castle Vale, Yardley, and Ward End, where my team of volunteers and coaches delivered squash to hundreds of people each day.

On Tuesday the day after Birmingham 2022 officially ended, I put up a Mini Squash Court in an extremely deprived area in Birmingham at a Youth Project in Lozells to give the young people the opportunity to try Squash for the first time. The work I’m doing doesn’t end here, I will continue to champion the game of squash and go out and inspire people of all ages, to take up the game or get them back onto court. I want to continue taking squash to the people and now the real work really begins here at WLTSC.

Squash Stars begins Wednesday 14th September – a 6 week programme for juniors 5-11yrs of age and includes a bag, racket, goggles and T-shirt for total of £42. Non-members welcome.

We will start a beginners #squash & racketball (Squash 57) course from Monday 5th September  – see timetable for details or get in touch to find out more or discuss individual coaching opportunities – 01902 755265

I hope to see you at the courts soon

Mike Harris aka Mr Squash!

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/.

RAF

by | Mar 3, 2022 | Squash News, Uncategorised

This week we have welcomed back the RAF for their Inter Station Coaching Sessions and Competition. The RAF have become a wonderful addition to our club and we look forward to continuing our links with them in the future.