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Intro to Squash 57 Webinar


A Must-See Webinar!

Attention Squash Pros, Coaches, Club Owners, Juniors, Singles/Doubles Players and Organizers. Don’t miss this upcoming FREE Squash Canada webinar that will introduce you to Squash57, an extremely popular version of squash that can drastically increase participation, extend playing longevity, offer alternative teaching tools, provide additional training options and more!!

Squash57 (originally known as UK Racketball), was often confused with the North American game of Racquetball (which is played on a court with different dimensions, no tin, a different ball, and different rules), so the name “Squash57” was coined to differentiate itself (the ’57’ relating to the diameter of the ball – 57mm).  There are many tangible benefits to this variation of squash that will be fully explained in the webinar. England Squash has over 20,000 Squash57 members alone, and they are keeping squash courts busy.

Details:
Date: Tuesday April 6, 2021
Time: Noon to 1:15PM
Location: via GoToMeeting (Webinar Online only – attendees must have access to a laptop, tablet, etc.)
Registration Deadline: Tuesday April 6, 2021 at 9AM EST
To Register: CLICK HERE

Note: This webinar is part of the Squash Canada Coach PD Webinar Series – NCCP Certified Coaches will receive 1 PD Point towards their Maintenance of Certification.

“I personally have been playing Squash57 for 12 years and I absolutely LOVE IT! Once you get past the stigma that it’s just not squash, you’ll quickly find that it’s enjoyable/entertaining and it massively reduces the skill gap between players, so you will immediately find many more people to play with/against,” stated Pete Goodings, Squash Pro at the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton, AB. “You can also easily play both Squash and Squash57 – one doesn’t negatively affect the other and they actually complement each other. In the UK, Squash57 has experienced HUGE growth and I for one have witnessed first-hand how it has been the savior of many small, standalone squash clubs and in many instances, it grew the member base significantly.”

This is a must-see FREE Squash Canada webinar for everyone! You have nothing to lose and tons to gain so please join us on Tuesday April 6th at Noon EST for the introduction of Squash57. And please remember you must register in advance using the above link (space is limited to 140 attendees – first come first serve).

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Implementation of Squash NS Coach Licensing Standard

The measures outlined below will be implemented by 31 Aug 2021 as part of our implementation of Safe Sport practices and the Responsible Coaching Movement.

SC is developing a National Coach Licensing policy which will identify the standards that coaches must comply with to be allowed to coach at events under its jurisdiction or Canadian Teams under its control. In the interim, Squash NS has created its own Squash Coach Licensing Standards which were approved by the BoD in Feb 2020 and which states that coaches are required to adhere to them by 31 Aug 2021 to be licensed. The standard requires licensed coaches to:

  1. Hold a valid Squash Canada coaching certification[1]. One of or more of Intro to Squash, Squash Intro to Competition or Squash Competition Development. For more information please see https://squash.ca/coaching-program/
  2. Be registered with the Coaching Association of Canada (Free), which entails obtaining an NCCP #. Anyone who has completed an NCCP certification or a coaching course or has successfully challenged the coach certification process since 2005 in any sport already has an account at the Coaching Association of Canada and does not need a new one. Please see https://thelocker.coach.ca/account/login?ReturnUrl=%2fhome
  3. Have a current competitive membership with Squash NS, the provincial sport governing body for squash https://novascotia.clublocker.com/login. This membership provides access to screening resources, subsidized professional development opportunities and liability insurance as well as a listing as a coach on the Squash NS Website, for active coaches. Only Squash NS member coaches have the opportunity of being nominated for SC coaching opportunities, and to coach Squash NS athletes and teams in competition
  4. Meet the requirements of the Squash NS Screening Policy available at https://nssquash.ca/about/policies-and-regulations/
  5. Agree to abide by the tenets of the Responsible Coaching Movement https://www.coach.ca/3- steps-to-responsible-coaching-p161376

If a coach does not choose to be licensed, they may still assist other players in improving their game. However, they will not be endorsed by Squash NS, will not not insured and will not be eligible to offer programs in Squash NS clubs or coach Squash NS teams or athletes.  The SNS website will also indicate that any who employ unlicensed coaches do so at their own risk.

[1] Coaches who trained outside of Canada or who received certification under the old NCCP program (prior to Dec 31, 2005), or High Level PSA players seeking to challenge one or more certifications please see the revised Squash Canada Coach Challenge Process https://squash.ca/coaching-program/ for more information on how to do this.

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Squash NS Screening Policy

As part of a national initiative by Squash Canada (SC) and Squash NS to implement safe sport practices, Squash Nova Scotia recently adopted a Screening Policy modelled on the SC Screening policy for all people associated with the sport in an official capacity and are beginning its implementation. This screening policy http://nssquash.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2020-10-28-Screening-Policy.pdf applies to board members, employees, travelling team staff, volunteers, coaches, officials and players. In addition, there are a number of other policies that were approved to support a safe sport environment. They are available https://nssquash.ca/about/policies-and-regulations/

Initial Screening priorities will be for Coaches and Board members and the CG Team manager, followed by officials and volunteers.

Affected members will receive an invitation to begin the screening process in the coming weeks.

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Nominations are open for the Sport Makes a Difference Award.

Want to recognize someone who made a difference to our sport this year? Please consider nominating them for the Provincial Support 4 Sport “Sport Makes a Difference Award”

To nominate someone, enter them in the Nomination event on Club Locker and then please fill in the Notes Section by telling us who you are and why you have chosen this individual, group, organization, or committee to be your provincial sport organization recipient for the 2021 S4S Sport Makes a Difference Award. Please explain how this nominee went above and beyond the call of duty for their sport despite the challenges brought forth by the pandemic.

To be Eligible – the Nominee must be a member of Squash NS (Associate, Recreational or Competitive)

Nominations close on 26 March.

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Squash NS is pleased to announce that Joshua Rudolph has been selected as the Head Coach of the 2023 Canada Winter Games Squash Team

Josh is the current #2 ranked player in the province and is ranked #5 in M40+ nationally.  He led the Provincial Men’s Team to the last two Canadian Men’s Team Championships.  He is a certified squash instructor, is trained to the level of Squash Introduction to Competition and is committed to completing this certification and that of Squash Competition Development as soon as possible once courses and evaluations resume post COVID, with the support of Squash NS.  Josh also started down the path of towards becoming a Coach Developper last month, in a pilot project launched by Squash Canada.

Josh will develop, select and coach the Nova Scotia Squash team to be entered into the 2023 CWG in accordance with Squash NS Policies and under the general direction of the Board of Directors and the Squash NS Provincial Coach. He will be assisted by a team manager, who must be of the opposite gender to the head coach. The team manager will be selected via an open call for volunteers which launched today and closes on March 19th. Interested parties should register via the following link https://clublocker.com/tournaments/12422/info .

Please join us in congratulating Josh on his new role.

 

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Squash and Squash57 – Two games one court and a heck of a workout in 40 minutes

Did you know that there is another kid on the squash courts?

Squash57, used to be known as racketball in the UK until it was rebranded Squash57 in August 2016 by the WSF which governs both sports.

Squash57 and Squash have very similar rules, are played on the same court using different racquets and balls.

The following videos highlight the differences.

Squash overview (courtesy of Olympic.ca)

Squash57 overview (courtesy of UKRacquetball)

So something new to try, either to introduce the sport to younger audiences, add variety to your workout or just try out something new.

Enjoy,

Phil

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COVID Restriction update effective 8 a.m. on 5 Mar 2021

With the premier’s announcement of updated rules for sport today, the province goes back to harmonized squash operations effective 8:00 a.m. on March 5th 2021.

To summarize facilities across the province are operating under the following restrictions:

    • Squash clubs can operate.
    • Competitive play is  authorized, i.e.  organized matches and internal club ladders, leagues and tournaments (max 60 people inclusive of players, staff, spectators coaches and officials) can take place.
    • Squash training programs can take place limited to a maximum 25 people including, participants, coaches, volunteers and any parents and guardians that need to be present.
    • Spectators are permitted.
    • Within the context of minimizing individual social contact circles, players should restrict their playing/practice group to 3-5 players.
    • Inter-region or inter-provincial competitive sport related travel is prohibited.
    • Players and coaches may travel to attend or host training.

Remember that facilities will implement the changes to the rules at their own pace consistent with their approval processes and level of risk tolerance so please be patient.

Remember to practice safe sport:

    • Respect – Facility rules
    • Prepare – Book in advance
    • Screen – Don’t play if you are exhibiting symptoms.
    • Play – Wear a mask to and from the court, come prepared to play including bringing water/sports drink. Don’t wipe hands on court surfaces during play
    • Sanitize on completion of play
    • Do not wipe sweat on court surfaces
    • Masked Spectators/team members allowed to watch within the revised gathering limits (50% of the normal capacity)
    • Exit the facility after play.

For reference the general return to play guidelines for players and venues are attached  for Players and Facilities/Coaches and Organizers.

Phil Jourdeuil

President of Squash NS

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New sport restrictions 27 Feb-27 Mar 2021

With the premier’s announcement of updated rules for sport this week, there are some changes to what squash operations can take place between 8 a.m. Saturday Feb 27 to 11:59 p.m. and Saturday Mar 27  2021.

For facilities and within the HRM the following changes are in effect:

    • Squash clubs can operate.
    • Competitive play is not authorized, i.e. no organized matches, ladders, leagues or tournaments can take place..
    • Squash training programs can take place limited to a maximum 25 people including, participants, coaches, volunteers and any parents and guardians that need to be present.
    • Spectators are not permitted.
    • Within the context of minimizing individual social contact circles, players should restrict their playing/practice group to 3-5 players.
    • After seeking clarification from the province, friendly matches can take place as part of training.
    • Travel into or out of the HRM for sport purposes is prohibited.

For facilities elsewhere in the province the following restrictions remain in effect:

    • Squash clubs can operate.
    • Competitive play is  authorized, i.e.  organized matches and internal club ladders, leagues and tournaments (max 60 people inclusive of players, staff, spectators coaches and officials) can take place..
    • Squash training programs can take place limited to a maximum 25 people including, participants, coaches, volunteers and any parents and guardians that need to be present.
    • Spectators are permitted.
    • Within the context of minimizing individual social contact circles, players should restrict their playing/practice group to 3-5 players.
    • Inter-region or inter-provincial travel competitive sport related travel is prohibited.

Remember that facilities will implement the changes to the rules at their own pace consistent with their approval processes and level of risk tolerance so please be patient.

Remember to practice safe sport:

    • Respect – Facility rules
    • Prepare – Book in advance
    • Screen – Don’t play if you are exhibiting symptoms.
    • Play – Wear a mask to and from the court, come prepared to play including bringing water/sports drink. Don’t wipe hands on court surfaces during play
    • Sanitize on completion of play
    • Masked Spectators/team members allowed to watch within the revised gathering limits (50% of the normal capacity)
    • Exit the facility after play.

For reference the general return to play guidelines for players and venues are attached  for Players and Facilities/Coaches and Organizers.

Phil Jourdeuil

President of Squash NS

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Couldn’t commit to six weeks of Group Lessons with Janet MacLeod at Cole Harbour Place?

Now you can join the group for single sessions for $20 per session!

Only the Mixed (2 spaces per week) and Women’s (5 spaces per week) sessions are open!

Register here https://clublocker.com/tournaments/12349/info

Squash NS Provincial Coach Janet MacLeod is offering a program of group lessons at Cole Harbour Place

Each session runs six weeks from Saturday Jan 23th to Saturday Feb 27th 2021. Each session is limited to 8 entrants each:

  1. A mixed gender session for players of all abilities from 12:30 to 1:30 pm 
  2. A women only session for players of all abilities from 1:45 to 2:45 pm
  3. A mixed gender session for Junior (U19) players of all abilities from 3:00 to  4:00 pm FULL

There is no multi-session discount.

All skill levels are welcome. Racquets and eye guards can be provided if required – please contact Janet directly to request.

New to Club Locker? – Please sign up for free at https://novascotia.clublocker.com/login