How good was Birmingham 2022?

Dear [[firstname]]

WOW what an experience I had at Birmingham 2022. I’d never been to a multi-sport event and to be a part of it has totally blown me away.

I had so much fun, inspiring, and entertaining so many young people, families, and squash fans. I truly hope the work I and my team did, and will continue to do, will eventually show in increased participation at clubs and sports centres and most importantly here at WLTSC.

I've had many highlights in my career as a player and coach but to get the greatest squash player of all time Jahangir Khan, along with Mohamed El Shorbagy, current World No.5, former World No.1 and World Champion on the Mini Squash Court was such a special moment and one I will never forget.

Gina Kennedy, the first English woman to win a Commonwealth Games Singles Gold Medal, also joined me on the Mini Squash Court to play the squash fans (along with her gold medal). Almost the whole England team joined me on the Mini Court as well as competitors from many of the nations, which was brilliant for all the fans.

It was so wonderful to see Declan James, who came to support the Birmingham 2022 Roadshow here at WLTSC, win a Commonwealth Games Men’s Doubles Gold Medal. I was so delighted for him but also for the whole of England Squash Team, winning 6 medals overall.

I’ve had the privilege to coach almost every player on this team,at Junior National Squads when I was an England High Performance Coach. What made it even more special, a few players now have children, and I had the chance to play them on the Mini Squash Court, I had so much fun

I've always believed the Mini Squash Court would be a success and it truly has been. At the Birmingham 2022 Squash venue, we engaged with over 10,000 fans. As well as the main site, I put up Mini Squash Courts at Birmingham 2022 Regional Festival sites in Castle Vale, Yardley, and Ward End, where my team of volunteers and coaches delivered squash to hundreds of people each day.

On Tuesday the day after Birmingham 2022 officially ended, I put up a Mini Squash Court in an extremely deprived area in Birmingham at a Youth Project in Lozells to give the young people the opportunity to try Squash for the first time. The work I'm doing doesn’t end here, I will continue to champion the game of squash and go out and inspire people of all ages, to take up the game or get them back onto court. I want to continue taking squash to the people and now the real work really begins here at WLTSC.

A New Season

After the success of Squash at the Commonwealth Games, I want to inspire you to take up squash or Squash57 (racketball), so why not sign up for one of our weekly sessions starting in September:

Beginners Squash - Starts Monday 5th September - 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Beginners Racketball (Squash 57) - Starts Monday 5th September – 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Junior Squash Stars (See picture) - Start Wednesday 14th September 5.00pm – 5.45pm

I’ll be restarting

Racketball Skills & Drills - Starts Wednesday 7th September – 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Mini Squash - Starts Saturday 10th September – 9.00am – 9.45am

Little Belters - Starts Saturday 10th September - 9.00am – 10.00am

Junior Pro - Starts Saturday 10th September - 10.00am – 11.00am

Wednesday Junior Pro - Starts Wednesday 7th September – 6.00pm – 6.45pm

Racketball Mix In - Every Tuesday 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Racketball Mix In - Every Saturday 10.30am – 12noon

Squash Mix In - Every Friday 6.30pm – 8.00pm

There will be more sessions added to our programme.

Junior Squash Camp

Let me inspire your son, daughter or young family members and sign up to our Junior Squash Camp (See Picture) on Tuesday 30th, Wednesday 31st August and Thursday 1st September.

Dave Smart Racketball Handicap Tournament

Entries for the Dave Smart Racketball Handicap Tournament has opened, please see the poster attached.

Entries Close on Sunday 11th September

The event will start on Wednesday 14th September

The Finals Night is Friday 21st October.

Squash Stars

Finally, I’m starting a new junior session called Squash Stars. It begins on Wednesday 14th September and lasts for 6weeks. This session is aimed at children aged 5 – 11 years who are beginners. For £42.00, you get a racket, bag, t-shirt, ball, Squash glasses and the 6 sessions. This is an amazing programme, for more information please go to www.squashstars.co.uk or see the poster attached.

I can’t wait for the new squash and squash57 (racketball) season to begin.

Kindest Regards

Mike Harris

Head of Squash & Racketball

11/08/2022

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