PSA Foundation’s Women In Coaching Fund has announced an exciting move into the next phase of the programme, with the next coaching courses taking place in Malaysia
The fund launched in 2023 in the US as a legacy of the Women’s Squash Leadership program, with the aim of encouraging more women to participate in the game at a coaching and tutoring level.
Malaysia has an extensive and successful history in squash, with 8-time world champion and squash legend Nicol David being a key player in this phase of the fund.
Nicol and fellow former professional Marianna De Reyes have been instrumental in developing squash in Malaysia, setting up the Nicol David Organisation in 2022 and their subsequent Little Legends program.
This initiative aims to engage the children involved with squash, developing their life skills, providing them opportunities to learn English as well as enabling good nutrition.
Nicol and Marianna will be key leaders in developing this next phase of the Women in Coaching Fund within Malaysia: further expanding women’s roles within leadership, mentorship and coaching positions in squash.
Through this course, Nicol will also become a certified WSF Tutor and will therefore continue to lead more women in coaching courses in Malaysia and hopefully other parts of the world.
Adriana Olaya, Head of the PSA Foundation, said:
“Its fantastic that the Women in Coaching Fund is continuing to expand to other areas of the world, and we are thrilled to be working with the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), Nicol and Mariana on expanding this innovative programme.”
“Nicol and Mariana have s always been fierce advocates of empowering women through sport. We first worked together in the “It’s Mine” campaign which aimed to increase awareness and highlight the values of the female athletes on the PSA Tour”
“ And now it’s really exciting to work together with them to increase the number of women coaches who will also embody the values that Nicol has represented in the sport for so many years.
Nicol David, Former World Number One and Eight Time World Champion, said:
“Having female role models is vital for us to be able to increase girls participation in Squash and this is why I believe that this Women’s Coaching Fund will be a huge enabler for more women who wish to develop in coaching.
“I am truly happy to have 16 women getting their Level 1 coaching in my own country, Malaysia, we are hoping to get even more women involved with the program.”
