World Squash Day 5th Nov 2011 - Get involved!
This will be taking place on 5th November 2011. Lets all try and get involved to help promote both squash and racketball. It would be great to hear from anyone that is doing something for this day!
For more information please see below:
HERE COME THE GIRLS...
EVENTS GUIDE: WHAT TO DO
Here is a suggested programme of events that can take place at any squash club, anywhere in the world
PLANNING
1: Make room in the club calendar for a day of activities to attract new female members to your club.
2: Prints fliers and posters (download here). Promote the events in schools, colleges, gym clubs and sports shops. Invite wives and girlfriends to join in.
3: Register your event on the World Squash Day website (www.worldsquashday.com)
4: Make sure you staff up for the whole day to stage all of these events.
5: Make sure the club is clean and welcoming to women of all ages. If your courts are grubby and dirty, NOW is a good time to clean them up. You could even buy some flowers for the club lounge!
6: Lay on healthy snacks and free drinks all day. Make sure the tea and coffee is nice and the cups are clean!
7: Show squash videos on the club TV so your members and guests can see and enjoy top-level women’s squash
8: Arrange follow-up coaching and fitness classes so your new members can instantly join a programme that will keep them involved.
9: Most importantly, arrange crèche facilities for young mums to attend
ON THE DAY
Welcome Classes: Free drinks on arrival
Introduce Squash and Fitness to your new class
Coaches hold a quick exhibition to demonstrate the game
Warm-up: Invite the girls on court to stretch and jog
Split into small groups for each court
Coaches should feed easy shots for the newcomers to hit
Gradually make the rallies longer
Introduce some fun games so that the girls are playing squash within a few minutes of entering the court
Quick tactics talk
Make sure plenty of fresh water and sports drinks are available (FREE) all day long
Finish each session with a Play The Pro Challenge
Q and A session on court
Give prizes or gifts to everyone
Fashion and Fitness: Arrange special offers on the day for squash shoes, rackets and clothing
TOP TIPS:
1: You could repeat the above programme two or three times during the day
2: Invite everybody back for a party in the evening to promote the social side of our great game
3: Make sure that everyone has a fun time and wants to come back for more
4: Make sure there are free follow-up classes
5: Make sure you collect email addresses from everyone. Within 24 hours write to thank them for coming along and tell about the next free classes
HERE COME THE GIRLS...
Q and A:
What is World Squash Day?
World Squash Day is an annual event. Squash federations and clubs all over the planet are encouraged to open their doors, show the world what a great sport we have, and encourage more people to play.
What’s special about this year?
World Squash Day 2011 is dedicated entirely to attracting more female players, of all ages and abilities.
What can clubs do to achieve this?
Clubs should stage special fun events and offer free sessions, free coaching and arrange special membership offers to attract more women to join. (See our Online Guide for ideas on events)
How do you keep these new members involved and active?
Good question. You arrange regular weekly sessions to suit the women, and also offer Mums’ Mornings in midweek
Clubs should arrange fun, friendly competitions, plus coaching tips and a guide to the rules, so that players can improve as they learn and get the most enjoyment out of the sport.
Is squash good for fitness?
Squash is rated the best indoor sport for fitness (see Forbes Magazine survey) and tests have shown that squash burns more calories than any other indoor sport.
What about schools?
Clubs and federations should be setting up links with local schools to attract large numbers of new, young players. Clubs should make sure they have the coaching staff to cope with an influx of new members. The youngsters should instantly be involved in training programmes leading to fun competitions.
What about kit?
Squash clothing looks fantastic. There are lots of major companies producing a whole range of apparel that is both comfortable and stylish.
LEADING FEMALE STARS SUPPORT WORLD SQUASH DAY
The world’s leading squash stars are lending their support to World Squash Day.
A worldwide programme of events will take place on November 5 to promote increased female participation in this high-energy sport which is battling for Olympic status.
Clubs all over England are being encouraged to open their doors and stage events to attract female players of all ages and abilities.
World Squash Day founder Alan Thatcher, who is president of the Kent SRA, is busy promoting the message throughout his own county and beyond.
He said: “We will be holding free introductions to squash, racketball and fitness sessions taking place on court at a number of clubs. The accent is on having fun and making sure that squash clubs can provide a welcoming environment for women of all ages.
“We will be launching new competitions for women, with local leagues based in several towns to encourage participation. There will be fun sessions for the recreational players, special classes for those who want to get fit through squash, and we will also focus on providing extra activities for those with a more competitive streak.”
England’s leading players are right behind the scheme.
JENNY DUNCALF, the world No.2 from England, added: “I think it's a great idea to try and get more women involved in the game.
“Squash is the perfect game for women of all ages to take up and enjoy. It provides the ideal workout to stay healthy and in shape as well as being mentally stimulating and fun.
“So the message for World Squash Day is to pick up a racket and see for yourself … you won't look back!”
ALISON WATERS, the 2010 British national champion, said: “Squash is the perfect sport for females to take up. Get a group of your friends together and not only will you have a fun social time but think of all those calories you will be burning in one workout! What could be better, fun, friends and fitness!”
NICOL DAVID, the world No.1 and five-times world champion from Malaysia, is right behind the programme.
She said: “Squash appeals to women everywhere; anyone who is looking for the perfect sport to pick up. It provides the best all-round workout and it's a lot of fun with friends.
“Anyone can play it! This World Squash Day is focussed on getting women and girls to join squash, so create a social trend among your girlfriends to keep fit with squash.”
CAROL OWENS, a former world champion from New Zealand, joined in on court with members of the All Blacks rugby team during an earlier World Squash Day. She said: “Squash is a brilliant game that can be played all year round. It’s fast, fun, strategic and competitive. It’s totally addictive.”
FACT FILE:
FACT: Squash is the best calorie-burner of all indoor sports.
FACT: Squash was rated the No.1 sport for fitness by the influential Forbes Magazine in America.
FACT: World Squash Day is all about fun, friendship and fitness.
WORLD SQUASH DAY: IDEAS FOR EVENTS
Ideas for events are published on the WSD website: www.worldsquashday.com
You can also download a free poster to publicise your activities.
To maximise publicity, you can register your event and let the world know that you are part of the big day.
LIFE WITH THE PROFESSIONALS
Female professional squash players are members of WISPA, the Women’s International Squash Players Association.
The WISPA World Tour is growing year on year, staging tournaments in some spectacular locations, including England, Egypt, Monte Carlo, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, USA, Canada, France, China, Qatar, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.
Several events are staged in the open-air, with fabulous venues including Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) and the Cayman Islands.
There are Rising Star and Challenger events for younger professionals, and a WISPA Gold Series for the game’s leading professionals.
WISPA Tour Guide online: www.wispa.net
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