Squash Wales Strategy 2011-2014 · 2016-05-19 · Wales Squash and Racketball Strategy: V7 May 2016...

Wales Squash and Racketball Strategy: V7 May 2016 Page 1

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.



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



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.


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


Providing an opportunity for children and adults to fulfil their sporting potential


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


Continue the development of a robust financial regime to secure a stable and beneficial future


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.


Excellence - We are committed to being the best


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


Every child hooked on sport for life


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.


Raise awareness


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


Increase our influence within the European and World Squash Federations through a strategic and

targeted approach.


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



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.


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



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

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Squash Wales Strategy 2011-2014 · 2016-05-19 · Wales Squash and Racketball Strategy: V7 May 2016...

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