PSA Foundation Partners with Off the Wall Squash
by Sean Reuthe




photos PSA

September 13, 2017 - The Professional Squash Association Foundation (PSA Foundation) have agreed a new partnership with UK-based coaching academy Off The Wall Squash that will see the two organisations work in unison towards promoting and growing junior squash around the world through the implementation of an innovative coaching programme.
 
The partnership will see the PSA Foundation work with Off The Wall Squash to make the OTWS Junior Progress Awards - a programme already backed by some of the world’s top players - freely available to all clubs, coaches and schools around the world.
 
The programme provides a skills-based awards package to help enhance junior squash activities, allowing young players to work their way through a series of challenges and disciplines in order to collect certificate awards and coloured wristbands to record their progress
 
PSA Foundation Manager Adriana Olaya said: “The Junior Progress Awards are a fantastic tool for coaches and junior players. It’s a great way to introduce the game to young players and allow them to measure their level with players who are using the same program all over the world.
 
"We want this tool to reach every country so players all around the world can reap the benefits of it. We fully support the project and can only see positive things emerging from it.”
 
England’s former World Champion Laura Massaro is one top player to have endorsed the programme, which has similarities to the coaching system she progressed through as a junior.
 
“I genuinely did really enjoy the junior skills programme when I was younger. I remember doing the exercises over and over but it didn’t count until my coach at the time saw me do it,” said Massaro.
 
“I was so nervous before and happy when I did it. It’s great that kids will get a chance to achieve the certificates and wristbands again.”
 
2011 British National Champion Daryl Selby said: ”I still have my progress certificates from when I was a kid. They were a huge part of my development and I used to love adding a new one to my collection. They help to improve your game and definitely add a layer of competitiveness.”
 
Off The Wall Squash Director of Coaching and Operations, Matt McFahn, added: “The partnership with the PSA Foundation is really exciting for junior development everywhere.
 
“Both organisations want to provide new and exciting ways to increase participation and collaborating on the Junior Progress Awards provides an excellent opportunity to deliver a great tool and ensure maximum exposure to the squash community.”
 
The jointly branded resources are being exclusively managed by Off The Wall Squash and can be obtained from their website www.offthewallsquash.co.uk/junior-development/