Women’s Squash Week is an international campaign that aims to celebrate and raise the profile of female squash.
PSA Foundation are proud to champion this key awareness week, and a core part of our work is empowering women and girls to participate in squash.
We speak with Egyptian squash legend Engy Kheirallah about her career, the importance of more women coaches and her experiences coaching Former World Number Three Nour El Tayeb.
“I started playing when I was 12, so that was a little bit late compared to a lot of the other players and when I was 14 I joined the national team.”
“I was a member of the team that won the first the first Egyptian team that won the world teams under 19 in 1999. I was a semi-finalist in the individual event and I was a member of the team that won the first Egyptian team that won the world teams in Egypt for the women’s in 2008.”
“I was also the first female coach for the national women’s team that won the world championships two years ago: it was amazing to get really close to those top players.”
So [when Engy first started coaching] I did a little bit of coaching part time. I would see a couple of the juniors, not like top notch players, but there was a little bit of chemistry and I really enjoyed it.”
“I was on the tour, back then and after the worlds Nour El Tayeb approached me and asked me if we can work together. Then Rowan ElAraby did as well.”
“I think you relate to a lot of the situations you’re put in as a player. I played at the time, and, I didn’t play when I was a mother, but I have three kids so you know I’ve been through all the ups and downs of being a mother. So I think this is what attracted Nour to talk about working with me.”
“I think, a lot of women need to be heard. So you want them to talk and sometimes it’s You just need to listen And sometimes the session is not just about the squash it’s the mental part as well.”
“It’s a mix, especially when you have someone who did not like sleep well or has been up all night or, you know, had a rough week. You need to put this into consideration before you go on court, talk a little bit and listen.
I think at first maybe women were a little bit, and like worried to take this route [coaching]. But then the more you see women the more you’re encouraged. You feel, okay, I can do it as well.
