squash wales strategy 2011-2014 · 2016-05-19 · wales squash and racketball strategy: v7 may 2016...
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Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2019
Statement
The priority of Wales Squash & Racketball is to devise and implement the strategic plan for:
maintaining and improving existing standards (governance);
expanding and developing community partnerships (development);
developing and supporting elite players (performance).
This is the journey from 2014 to 2018.
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Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
1. INTRODUCTION
Heritage
Squash was first developed in the late 19th
century, and codified in the early 1900s. It achieved a real breakthrough
in the 1970’s when it was the exercise of choice for millions. Following a minor decline in the 1990’s squash has
developed into one of the top ten most popular sports among adults in England and Wales (Active People Survey 3,
Ipsos MORI/Sport England, 2009). Racketball, played with a bigger, bouncier ball and shorter handled, slightly
larger headed racket, was developed from the American game of racquetball and came to Wales in the 1970’s. It is
akin to squash, with similar rules, and played on a standard squash court. The bouncier ball makes it less physically
stressful and easy to learn – it is always great fun and can be highly competitive. Racketball was re-introduced in
Wales from January 2012.
Health and Fitness
Squash has been voted ‘the world’s healthiest sport’ by Forbes magazine in a technical survey that included
measures of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and calories burnt.
Racketball is similar – less stressful on the joints and requiring less speed around the court, it nonetheless offers
fantastic cardio-vascular and muscular exercise. The ball stays in play, longer, so the players have to work hard!
Squash and racketball are played by people of all ages – children start Mini Squash at 6 years old, and the National
Championships even includes a category for the Over 70s. Squash and racketball are perfect for those with a busy
lifestyle as you can play a good game, have a fun workout, shower and change inside an hour. You only have to find
one opponent and because it’s indoors, you never get rained off!
Structure
The Wales Squash & Racketball Office is situated in the Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff. Our officers are
responsible for Competitions and Events, Coaching and Coach Education, Performance, Membership and Finance.
We have regional Community Coach Activators, who work with leisure centres, clubs and universities to promote
membership and participation in both squash and racketball. The Regional Development Officers from
North/South/West/Mid Wales co-ordinate grassroots programmes and offer guidance and support to key clubs,
counties, local coaches and selected players. North Wales has a Regional Performance Officer responsible for
performance coaching and domestic and English Inter-County competition.
Wales Squash & Racketball staff have proved that they can successfully deliver diverse structured programmes of
advice and practice throughout the communities of Wales.
Squash and racketball really are sports for all; available to everybody, played by all
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Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
Where to Play?
There are 210 squash courts in clubs, leisure centres, universities and colleges in towns and cities throughout 100
venues in Wales. Local Authority Leisure Centres have over 75% of the national total of squash courts which are
available for public use on a daily basis. Most Leisure Centres have squash equipment available for hire but is
inexpensive when purchased from the National Governing Body. There are far fewer Leisure Centres providing
racketball equipment for hire.
Players who play regularly join member clubs and some progress to representative squash. Wales Squash &
Racketball has 110 affiliated member clubs. Clubs provide access to competitions, coaching and a great social
network.
Vision
Our vision is to:
increase the popularity and profile of squash and racketball – better collaborative working
increase participation in squash and racketball – every child hooked on sport for life/nation of champions
ensure coaches and referees are suitably qualified and receive continuous professional development –
supported to pass on their skills and passion for sport to others
continue to provide a system to nurture elite players so that they can mature and fulfill their potential
achieve success on the highest stage – top 20 World ranked player
produce players who are honoured to represent their country
foster players who respect their sport, their peers, their family, their coaches and themselves.
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Continued increase in popularity, profile and international success
Goals - We aim to achieve our vision by establishing key goals for:
Stability, Independence and Governance - creating a robust governance, financial, commercial and management
regime that will ensure the long term prosperity of the organisation
Participation, Accessibility and Membership – encouraging more people of all ages and from all sections of the
community to take part in our sports, and to be part of Wales Squash & Racketball
World Leading Performance – ensuring that all players can achieve their full potential up to the creation of
international champions
These key goals are underpinned by commitments to:
Competition – developing opportunities for every squash and racketball player to play competitively at local,
regional and national level (Domestic Competition/Player Pathway Plan)
Coaching – establishing world class coaching resources to create the best coaches and comprehensive
opportunities for all to receive the best possible coaching experience (Coaching Plan)
Refereeing – developing and nurturing a system to recruit, maintain, assess and grade referees to a high standard
to ensure that squash and racketball are well served and officiated at all levels (Referee Plan)
Membership – retaining existing members and increasing members in all categories. The Action Plan which will be
identified at the Preliminary Level of the Equality Standard will also shape our membership strategy (Membership
Plan)
Performance – formulating a plan to develop the best players in Wales and identify a World Top 20 squash player
and a team to compete in the Commonwealth Games in 2014 (Back to Basics)
Olympic Inclusion – supporting the World Squash Federation in its campaign for the inclusion of squash in the
Olympic programme
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Providing an opportunity for children and adults to fulfil their sporting potential
Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
2. GOVERNANCE
Responsibilities
As the governing body we have responsibilities. We aim to remain true to the spirit of sport by aspiring to deliver:
Fairness - we will treat everyone and every situation equitably
Openness and Honesty – we will be transparent and informative in our dealings. We will communicate wisely,
widely and effectively.
Ethics – we will ensure that we fulfil our role in:
The promotion and development of best practice concerning anti-doping
The safeguarding of all young people involved in our sports through the awareness, education and training
of our staff, as well as robust systems for management of all safeguarding issues
Providing equality of opportunity for all sections of the community by a commitment throughout the
organisation to the understanding of barriers to participation and specific initiatives to break down those
barriers and promote inclusion
Over the strategy period we will:
Strive to maintain the highest standards of ethical practice through continued work in the fields of Anti-
Doping, Safeguarding and Equality
Develop successful relationships with Sport Wales by delivering results and meeting targets
Increase earned income as a proportion on turnover on a sustainable and diverse basis
Review our policies and procedures annually or when we become aware of a relevant change in legislation
Consult with and invite feedback from all our stakeholders on a regular basis although we are happy to
accept comments and feedback at any time
Subject to continued funding from Sport Wales, employ an Operations Manager to ensure the integrity of
the governance of Wales Squash & Racketball
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Continue the development of a robust financial regime to secure a stable and beneficial future
Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
3. DEVELOPMENT
Benefits
Wales Squash & Racketball is dedicated to working with and offering support to clubs, leisure centres, universities
and schools across the country. On a regional basis we have officers who develop both sports through support,
guidance and advice which meets the needs of a particular organisation.
Wales Squash and Racketball, as National Governing Body, has officers who assist leisure centres by building the
framework for long term programmes which encourage more people to play regularly. Officers can help to
introduce a variety of specialist programmes to help increase participation whilst maximising court usage.
Running a club isn’t an easy task; it takes a whole team of enthusiastic and committed people to make a successful
club. Our role is to support all our affiliated clubs to help them become successful and sustainable. Our
development coaches can deliver coaching and expertise within clubs to help bring more people into the sports.
Success
Squash and racketball are fantastic sports that offer lifelong opportunity for participation in healthy, sociable
activities which are easy to learn and play. The history of squash in Wales is of increased popularity and sustained
success. Despite being a relatively small country, Wales has defied the odds on the National, World and European
stage by producing champions and winning medals at every level.
How to expand?
Wales Squash & Racketball, as the national governing body, is proactive in developing and promoting squash and
racketball. We provide a comprehensive range of services and support at local, regional and national level, for
example:
Structured junior and senior development programmes
Events and competitions for all ages and abilities
Advising the private and public sectors
Extensive coach education programmes
Advice on technical and maintenance services
Through our website, marketing programmes and effective communication channels we are also able to increase
awareness of our racket sports and bring them to the attention of new audiences.
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Excellence - We are committed to being the best
Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
Where to Affiliate
Wales Squash & Racketball offers a full membership package with specific benefits for clubs, leisure centres,
universities, teams and individual players.
Organisations that affiliate to Wales Squash & Racketball are eligible to enter teams into County Leagues, the
Premier Squash League and National Competitions, and also receive support and assistance that contributes to
maximising participation in squash and racketball at a local level.
Working in partnership with Higher Education
From January 2012 Wales Squash & Racketball engaged with higher education institutions (HEI’s) across the
country. Our short term aim is to establish a small number of high quality projects to generate good working
practices with seventy institutions equipped with squash courts. We will select an HEI to pilot a tailored package of
support and resources which would generate opportunities for staff and student players, coaches, referees and
volunteers. We would establish ‘Regional Themed Workshops’ which will include ideas on creating social and
informal playing opportunities, increasing court usage through the introduction of racketball and also referee
development.
Other benefits for HEI’s that work with us, include the option to enter organised HEI squash and racketball
tournaments and access to other valuable Wales Squash & Racketball resources including advice and guidance on
development from the three Regional Development Officers.
Working in partnership with Leisure Centres and Public Facilities
Wales Squash & Racketball are committed to increasing participation in squash and racketball to provide the
opportunity for both children and adults to fulfil their sporting potential and contribute to the improved health of
local communities whilst building lasting mutually beneficial partnerships.
We will liaise with Local Authority’s and Sports Development Officers in local government and councils to
encourage squash and racketball within the community to encompass all ages, genders and socio-economic groups
including:
Women and Girls sessions
50+ sessions (U3A sessions)
University focused sessions
Workplace/Corporate sessions
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Every child hooked on sport for life
Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
Making It Better
Squash and racketball are minority sports with limited funding and resources. The challenge facing Wales Squash &
Racketball, following the slump in the popularity of squash experienced in the nineties, was to return to the dizzy
heights of the eighties. We set out on the journey to give the “squash experience” to children and adults
throughout Wales.
We started with grassroots junior development with the aim of increasing participation amongst children in Wales.
Wales Squash & Racketball piloted a primary schools programme which introduced Mini Squash to Key Stage 2
pupils.
The pilot scheme was a great success and the demand soon exceeded the capability of Wales Squash & Racketball
to deliver to every primary school in Wales. We needed to form partnerships with external bodies with more
resources.
Wales Squash & Racketball has joined with like minded authorities and provided schools programmes to many
regions in Wales, but we always want to improve.
We have consulted our partners because they are able to identify and provide feedback on the elements of our
programmes which have been successful, those which may be improved upon and make suggestions regarding
future strategy.
Mutual Goals and Benefits
Strong partnerships are built on shared goals and mutual benefits conducted in a climate of bilateral trust and
reliability.
Mutual Delivery
Wales Squash & Racketball has demonstrated that it has a programme that works and the staff to deliver the
programme. We have negotiated for our programme to be included in LAPA’s and devised specialised schools
programmes for sports development departments.
Facilitation
The popularity of our programmes has introduced the facilitation process into our delivery. Wales Squash &
Racketball has sold Mini Squash equipment to schools, LA’s, sports development departments, health boards and
has trained their staff to deliver the programme. Wales Squash & Racketball has adopted a supervisory function.
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Raise awareness
Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
Some Ideas for Our Future
Wales Squash & Racketball may:
Introduce the benefits of Mini Squash to other racket sports organisations.
Advertise Mini Squash and display press releases via LA school notice boards.
Include Mini Squash in transition festivals.
Introduce squash to community groups.
Distribute Wales Squash & Racketball Calendars to LA’s so that they can book Mini Squash into their
annual sports programmes.
Over the strategy period we will make squash and racketball two of the best known and recognised sports in
Wales by:
Developing marketing – through brand awareness, recognition, development of communications and
plans with a focus on health and fitness in our sports
Working with the World Squash Federation to achieve Olympic status
Creating a strong profile for squash and racketball via the media
Over the strategy period we will:
Increase our influence within the European and World Squash Federations through a strategic and
targeted approach.
Over the strategy period we will:
Increase overall participation in squash and racketball over the next 4 years, focussing on the groups
identified in the Equality Standard Action Plan
Grow the Family
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Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
Over the strategy period we will deliver the key objectives of the Membership Plan:
Develop the numbers and types of membership product to include individuals, casual players, clubs,
associations and ‘premier’ categories
Increase individual player membership equivalent by 1% over next 3 years
Maintain the number of affiliated clubs
Increase Coach and Referee membership
Over the strategy period we will deliver the key objectives of the Coaching Plan:
Develop an inclusive Squash Coaching Model to provide clear direction and a strategic framework for coaching policy and practice in Wales
Set out and implement a clear, comprehensive and inclusive model for the long-term development of squash participants.
Set out and implement a clear, comprehensive and inclusive model for the long term development of squash coaches.
Set out and implement inclusive squash-specific coaching strategies at national, regional and local level.
Recruit (using the community development officers) and retain qualified coaches in each of the three regions of Wales, with the skills to coach inclusively at each phase of the participant pathway.
Maximise the role of coaching in the education sector using the Wales Squash & Racketball Leaders Award Programme as an introduction.
Establish accessible and effective education, delivery systems and resources to underpin the long-term development of coaches and the coach education workforce in the context of the UK Coaching Certificate and effective CPD programmes, using these as an incentive to increase the number of licensed coaches.
Establish appropriate systems to identify, train, qualify and support quality coaches for specific sport populations (eg high performance athletes, talent identified athletes, children)
Develop coaching qualifications, CPD and specialist qualifications linked to the pathway phase/target group (eg inclusive coaching of primary aged children – under 11 talent id).
Set out and implement the steps needed to establish coaching as a professionally regulated vocation recognising volunteer and part/full time roles.
Conduct a sustained, long term campaign to raise the profile and recognition of coaching at all stages.
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Implement an ongoing research and development programme into participant and coach pathways, coaching quality and expertise and coaching resources in line with the UK Coaching Framework priorities.
Over the strategy period we will deliver the key objectives of the Referee Plan:
Provide and maintain an organised and efficient refereeing structure
Increase the total number of referees
Improve the standard of refereeing
Ensure that qualified referees become registered to Squash Wales
Increase the number of higher level (above club grade) referees
Improve the quality/number and consistency of tutors
Improve the quality/number and consistency of assessors
Promote and monitor the use of registered referees to gain additional points within the County and South Wales Domestic Leagues
Over the strategy period we will deliver the key objectives of the Domestic Competition/Player Pathway Plan by
running a full domestic calendar which incorporates the following key programmes and events:
Mini Squash School Programmes
Community development events & team events
Area Performance Centres
Academy Days & Training Night Squads
National 11 and Under Programme
Optional Junior/Senior Tournaments
Compulsory Junior/Senior Tournaments
Junior European Grand Prix
Under 23 & BSPA Tournaments
English Junior/Senior Inter County Competition
Racketball events Raising the Bar
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Wales Squash & Racketball Strategy 2014-2018
4. PERFORMANCE
Our aim is to develop and maintain a finite and consistent player pathway, provide appropriate support to talented
performers at all levels and nurture and sustain a world class coaching system.
Over the Strategy period we will deliver the recommendations made in the “Back to Basics” Programme:
A Junior National Squad structure.
A Senior National Squad structure.
Formalised fitness testing and programme support for all Junior National and Excellence Squad members.
Weekly junior training night programme in North and South Wales.
A European junior tournament coach support programme whereby excellence players who attend specific
European events will be supervised by Squash Wales coaches.
A coaching programme for selected players to receive elite coaching prior to and in preparation for
representing Wales or for players in the Under 15/Under 17 age groups who have funded themselves to
attend specified tournaments.
To operate an Under 11 Talent ID programme.
To continue the Elite Cymru programme with players who have clearly demonstrated their potential at
either Under 19 level or the first phase of Talent Support.
To utilise Talent Support funding for senior players moving to or from the Elite Cymru scheme. It will also
be used to support younger players in the Under 15 and Under 17 age groups before they enter the junior
to senior transition stage.
To change the cultural paradigm through an effective communication plan that clearly explains the
transition to this new strategy and also makes clear the benefits of the solutions being implemented.
To introduce a formal programme to aid players in the transition stage from junior to senior.
Develop consistent support programmes for players at senior, transitional and junior national levels
Maintain the success of Welsh players and teams in European and World, senior and junior competition.
Develop a team of World class squash players to compete at the Commonwealth Games in 2014
A Nation of Champions