Cat and daughter Sasha find quality time together on court

Growing up, Cat was a keen squash player, however due to changing friendships and other commitments, she fell out of the sport in her mid-teens. She didn’t pick up her racket again until family inspired her to get back on court nearly 30 years later.  

It’s a familiar story, both in squash and many other sports, with a 2022 survey by Women in Sport finding that more than 40 per cent of girls who considered themselves “sporty” dropped out of sport after primary school.

To help tackle this, England Squash is supporting Time Together, a Women in Sport campaign which encourages teenage girls and their mums (including stepmums, aunties and grandmas) to get active together.

Cat explains:

“I used to play with a girl I went to primary school with and then we went to separate secondary schools and with new friends, new things to do, and no one else I knew playing squash, I just lost interest.”

“Then, my son, Logan, started playing and went back to the club I grew up at [Abbeydale], and I thought I’d give it another go. My husband started learning to play too, and then he broke his foot. He’d signed up for a team, so I said I’d take his spot, and I’ve carried on ever since.”

It’s a hobby she now shares with the entire family, including daughter Sasha, who swapped swimming for squash after enjoying family knockabouts at a local leisure centre. Alongside junior coaching and entering local tournaments, she’s frequently on court with her mum.

Cat said:

“Sometimes Sasha will tell me what she’s been doing in her sessions, and we do that. She’ll teach me. We’ve played on the interactive court a few times, too. We’re not super competitive, we just like hitting it between us.

“I like that we do it together and while she’s at the beginning of her journey, she can teach me little games to play, and we can keep it quite fun. And if she carries on, it’s something we can do together when we’re older. I can hold my own against the kids at the moment, but there’ll be a day in the not too distant future when they’ll be beating me. That keeps me motivated to keep playing.”

Sasha added:

“It’s fun [playing with mum]. She doesn’t smash it to the back of the court and if she wins, she doesn’t rub it in!”

Alongside squash, the pair also play for the same cricket club while Sasha’s interest in swimming prompted Cat to learn herself. On top of the valuable mother-daughter time and physical benefits, Cat hopes her involvement will send a powerful message and help keep Sasha engaged in sport.

Cat said:

“It shows [girls] that they can do whatever they want. Most people I know go to the gym; you don’t see a lot of sports being played by parents. It’s important for girls to see that.”

“It was daunting going back as a middle-aged mum, but there’s just something about squash. I play some of the juniors, I play people in their 60s, you can be part of a club and get that community, you can coach or volunteer. It’s a whole life experience and your kids can see the different ways you can be part of a sport.

“I regret stopping playing when I was a teenager, so if she can carry it on then wherever she is, she can join a club for fun.”

Inspired to hit the court? Locate your nearest court at englandsquash.com/finder