Jamaica Squash Association rolls out training programme with Penwood High

 
Penwood High School students who will be participating in the Jamaica Squash Association’s (JSA) introductory squash training programme pose with seven-time All Jamaica Squash Champion, Chris Binnie, (far right),13-time All Jamaica Ladies Champion, Karen Anderson (third right) and JSA Junior Progamme Manager, Gill Binnie.

Seeking to expand the reach of the game, the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) has rolled out an outreach training programme with Penwood High School.
Under the programme, eight female students from Penwood will participate in squash training sessions each Saturday at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston. The inaugural workshop was conducted last week by seven-time All Jamaica Squash Champion, Chris Binnie.
Fresh from the successful defence of his national title at the All Jamaica Championships last month, Binnie gave the girls an introductory squash lesson before taking them through a series of on-court drills and some match simulation.
Subsequent sessions will be conducted by certified coach and 13-time All Jamaica Ladies champion, Karen Anderson and JSA Junior Progamme Manager, Gill Binnie.
The major objective of the initiative is to expose youngsters to the sport with a view to recruiting new competitive and recreational players.
“In order to keep local squash growing we have to ensure that a wider cross-section of people get to experience the fun and excitement of the sport,” Gill Binnie said.
“The JSA is developing a programme to work with both primary and high schools and although we are starting it on a small scale we hope to attract financial support so we can broaden the scope in the future,” she added.
The Penwood students will participate in training sessions up until the end of the school year in late June.  After the initial training programme, players will have the option to become part of the JSA’s junior squash programme.