Squad Player Development

Squash New Zealand will base the player development programme around these levels of development:

1. Professional / National Squad
2. World Junior Squads
3. National Development Squads

The purpose of the squad structure is to:

• Identify the talent development pathway for players through to NZ representation.
• Provide year round plans and programmes for the players.
• Provide a base of technically, tactically, physically and mentally prepared players from which NZ teams can be selected.

Good strong district programs will enable Squash NZ to pass some of the responsibility for developing players back onto the district.

This has several benefits:

• Allows the entry criteria into the National Squads to be higher.
• Allows more focussed time to be put into National Squad players.
• Allows Squash NZ’s resources to be more focused.

Squash New Zealand must however ensure that both the National level and District level programmes are effective if the programme is to be sustainable.

Hence the following is paramount:

• Squash NZ must work closely with the Districts
• District Programmes must mirror the National Programme
• District personnel are constantly upskilled

Following is an explanation of the squads, the criteria for entry and the objectives of each level.

Professionals and National Squad

Players at this level will be competing on the WISPA and PSA circuits, and this group will set the standards for squash in New Zealand. All players will have access to support from Squash NZ, and will be on individualised player contracts.

The criteria for this level will be those players who are on the PSA & WISPA World Tours and deemed to have the ability to help Squash New Zealand achieve its High Performance objectives.
Individual contracts will take into account the high cost of competing on the world circuits, and Squash New Zealand will actively assist players where possible to attain as higher level of performance as possible.

The goals of this squad are:

• To produce players capable of representing New Zealand with distinction in senior international competitions, particularly the professional circuits.
• To provide opportunities for all squad members to take their squash careers as far as possible by competing on the WISPA and PSA circuits.

Players will have access to:

• Academy of Sport Service providers (Physical Conditioner, Doctor, Physio)
• Gym facilities at the National Squash Centre
• National Squash Cente
• Squash New Zealand's High Performance Coach

Selection

Numbers will be dependent on the standard of players at any one time. The squad will be selected by the Squash New Zealand Senior selectors.

The criteria for entry to the squad are:

• Players deemed to have the ability and potential to progress onto the World circuits in the near future
• Players capable of assisting Squash New Zealand achieve its High Performance goals.

The squad training starts in January 2011. Players will be expected to complete fitness tests at each camp throughout the year. Failure to meet certain fitness levels as agreed by the player, coach, Squash NZ and physical conditioner may result in the player being asked to leave the squad.

World Junior Squads

These squads have selected on a combination of results and potential.

The criteria for entry to the squad are:

• Players deemed to have the ability and potential to represent New Zealand at World Junior Championships and have the desire to be a squash professional. The purpose will be to introduce them to, and prepare them for, the demands of international squash.

The major goals of the squad will be:

• To prepare players for World Junior Championships

• To introduce players to, and prepare them for, the demands of international squash

Coaches
Anthony Ricketts, Mike Allred, Robbie Wyatt, Joanne Williams, Mark Waldin.

At the first camp in February 2011 players are given a booklet that explained the Squash New Zealand player development pathway, the selection policy and the events players must compete in to be eligible for selection for the World Junior Teams

Squash New Zealand's Strength and Conditioning Coach will give each member of the squad a personalised programme that is regularly updated. This will be an individualised program that will take into consideration cardiovascular fitness, strength, power and flexibility. Players will be required to submit fortnightly training logs to Squash New Zealand that reflect a comprehensive training program. Failure to do so may result in the player being removed from the squad. At the same time, Squash New Zealand can add players to this Squad at any time.

Camp Dates

Selectors will take into consideration:

• A player’s attitude, discipline, motivation at all camps.
• Results at selection tournaments
• Head to head matches at training camps
• Results from fitness tests
• A desire to play professional squash after World Junior Boys

To be eligible for selection in the World Junior Women's Team players must compete in the following:

• Squad weekends as arranged with the Head Coach
• NZ Junior Open
• Wellington Open
• Auckland Junior Open
• The squad members must also particpate in the following events - 
• South Island Juniors
• North Island Juniors
• NZ Junior Nationals