Manchester Squash Academy

Facility

National Squash Centre, Manchester (six-court facility).

Summary

The Manchester Squash Academy is a legacy programme of the 2002 Commonwealth Games, established to develop future squash talent. The academy attracts the best juniors from around Manchester and the wider vicinity, inviting them to train with players of similar ability in a top-class coaching environment. This has been achieved by working in partnership with the county organisation, local clubs, coaches, parents and players.

How's it delivered?

Players are selected for the programme on merit, if deemed at a minimum of county development standard by the head coach and the county organisation. The aim is to select younger players who are looking to play for their county in the next year (at entry) and help support them right up to national level standard.

The Manchester Squash Academy (MSA) programme forms four tiers:

• MSA Elite
• MSA Potentials
• MSA Performance
• MSA Development

Each tier meets once a week for coaching, except the elite players who meet twice. The sessions are run over four courts with two coaches supervising - a lead and an assistant. On any given night there are 12 players with various commitments working three to a court.

Cost

Players can sign up to a block of 10 sessions. These cost £36 for Manchester residents and £45 for non-residents.

Workforce

Sessions are delivered by the head coach and assisted by a team of resident coaches and volunteers. Camps are run every holiday and are an opportunity to bring in the wider coach workforce to enable them to share good practice and work with other groups.

Additional information

Communication and openness to work together has been key to its success. The programme has seen great increases in results by pooling junior talent to push each other forward. This could be replicated at a large club or on a roadshow type basis around local clubs.