New College partnership launched in Auckland

In the Year of Youth Squash, a new partnership aims at engaging College squash players

Squash Auckland, Squash New Zealand and ASB College Sport Auckland have formed a partnership aimed at promoting youth squash. The partnership hope that the initiative, which will now allow Auckland secondary school competition players to be graded, will encourage more school leavers to continue playing squash.

Squash NZ Chief Executive says “the changes are positive for youth squash in Auckland and we hope to work with other districts to implement the initiative. In April we launch the Year of Youth Squash national campaign and this partnership highlights how thinking outside of the box can help to engage our youth.”

During 2012 there were 772 active participants (164 teams from 39 secondary schools) in the ASB College Sport Auckland Squash Competition yet less than 10% of those players were club members. Auckland squash club membership or engagement with schools or players has not grown as a result of the current competition platform. During 2012, 11 clubs, six commercial squash centres and seven schools supported the ASB College Sport Auckland squash competition through use of facilities.

To support the growth of squash in the Auckland region, the partnership has formed an Auckland Secondary Schools Club for players which will allow engagement with schools and the competitions participants at a new level. Club members are secondary school players who participate in the competition. At the end of each year, or when a student leaves school, their membership is terminated. Effectively secondary school players will now be graded, with all matches counting towards their grading. The player grading will also enable keen players to enter tournaments held by clubs.

Squash Auckland and Squash NZ see this as a great opportunity for the Auckland clubs that will:

• remove the barriers for participation in squash within the school environment
• grow the sport in the Auckland region
• encourage more school age (and school leavers) to engage with clubs
• encourage the growth of the sport at secondary school level to over 1,000 (2015)
• encouraging participants to remain in the sport once they have given it a go
• encourage school leavers to join clubs and stay in the sport
• grow junior squash at club level – encouraging clubs to prioritise junior squash
• clubs encouraged to engage with potential junior members
• develop volunteers via schools and parents
• develop closer links between Squash Auckland / Schools / Clubs
• develop coaching resources within clubs and schools

For more information about the partnership please contact Philip Vodanovich (Squash Auckland General Manager) or Jim O’Grady (Squash NZ Chief Executive) or for more information on the Year of Youth Squash, please contact Pennie O’Connor (Squash NZ Development Director)