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    ES County Association update

    County Association February update


    Dear County Association,

    We have been making good progress since the last council meeting, including the preparation of a new funding bid to Sport England. There will be significant funding cuts, but the new Sport England strategy encourages greater opportunity for England Squash to support and develop the existing squash community. We hope the following provides an interesting update into the breadth of recent activity.
     
    County Association Network (CAN)
    At the end of January, a meeting between CAN, represented by Mike Clemson, Howard Mason and Richard Bickers, and the England Squash Chair Joy Carter, CEO Keir Worth and Director of Participation Mark Williams was convened at Winchester Squash Club. The meeting was an opportunity to review the current working relationship between the two bodies. It was a positive meeting and certainly helped to increase understanding from both parties about the challenges we face in developing the sport. Subsequently, a number of strategic issues will be discussed at the next England Squash Board meeting this month, before further consultation with county associations.   
     
     Marketing and Communications Update
    Membership Survey
    We have been through a process of consultation regarding membership and the outcomes will be discussed at the next board meeting. The outcomes from the board meeting will be shared in the form of a proposal to county associations.
     
    Allam British Open
    We have secured enough sponsorship and support to ensure that the Allam British Open remains at World Series level. The event will take place in Hull from 19-26 March and tickets are on sale now.
     
    National Squash Championships
    We are pleased to announce that the National Squash Championships finals and semi-finals will be streamed through the official National Squash Championships website this Saturday and Sunday.
     
    World Championships Tickets
    Tickets for the World Championships (Manchester, 9-17 December) will go on sale in March.
     
    World Doubles
    We are hosting the World Doubles Championship in Manchester from 1-5 August.
     
     
    Participation Update
    National Forum
    An innovative project has been put forward by the National Forum, looking at launching a pilot project in partnership with iSquash (www.interactivesquash.com), an exciting new way to play squash that has revolutionised the on-court experience. If successful, the project could be the catalyst for a range of similar ‘technology-based’ installations that could have a big impact on the profile and perceptions of the sport.  
     
    Summits
    The three summits are drawing closer and we are looking forward to meeting with club and county representatives in London, Coventry and Manchester over the coming weeks. The summits will provide attendees with an opportunity to share ideas, discuss the latest insight and learn more about activity from across the country.
     
    Squash Girls Can
    The latest round of Squash Girls Can activity has recently been announced, with funding of up to £1,000 available for five cities to deliver a festival and follow-up sessions for new players. This is in addition to the mentoring programme that was funded by the National Forum – for which there are still places available through your Regional Forum. Contact [email protected] for more information.
     
    Sixteen women have been awarded a coaching bursary to complete their Level 2 qualification. Further coaching bursaries are available via the Squash Girls Can coach development programme. Please contact [email protected] for details.
     
    Squash 57
    There is a new toolkit available for all facilities to use to get new Squash 57 activities up and running. The toolkit includes logos, images and posters and is available at www.englandsquash.com/squash57. Please get in touch if you would like a Squash 57 starter pack, which consists of rackets, balls and posters by contacting [email protected].
     
     
    Performance Update
    Level 3 Course
    This year’s Level 3 course began in Manchester at the start of the year. The delivery model has been adapted to ensure candidates receive a more practical and applied experience at the National Squash Centre. In addition, each candidate is being mentored through the programme as part of the ongoing support in between learning blocks. This year’s cohort includes eight coaches who are being funded through Squash Girls Can bursaries.
     
    High Performance Award
    We will shortly be advertising the 2017 High Performance Award which will be run in conjunction with a university and see successful candidates receiving a postgraduate diploma. For more information, please contact [email protected].
     
    British Junior Open
    There were some superb performances at the British Junior Open at the start of the month, with two English finalists in Sam Osborne-Wylde (BU13) and Elise Lazarus (GU17) and five semi-finalists. This was the first time the country has had two finalists in the competition since 2001. It was also the first time all eight Aspire Head Coaches were present as part of a national coaching team. The coaches supported English players as well as spending time with Chris Robertson, Head of Player Development.
     
    Coaching Summits
    Two Coaching Summits, one in the North West and another in the South East, are scheduled for March 29 and 30. The Summits provide an unrivalled opportunity to gain insight from the country’s leading squash coaches. Sessions will be led by members of the senior England Squash coaching team, including Chris Robertson, and will provide coaches with an opportunity to witness the current methods and approaches utilised by the England team and to share and discuss their own experiences, practices and philosophies.
     
    Coaching Programme
    The current coaching course programme runs until the end of this month. For opportunities to join a course, visit www.englandsquash.com/courses.
     

    Articles of Association
    An initial working group is in the process of investigating the changes required to the articles of association, in line with the new governance code for sport. Patrick Fleming has agreed to represent the council and the national forum during these initial discussions and we will report back as soon as possible with regards to the plans for a wider consultation.
     

    Next Council Meeting
    The next council meeting will take place in London on May 24 from 1-3pm. The venue will be confirmed shortly.
     
    Kind regards,

    The England Squash team