Squash for Development Organisations (SDO’s) use squash as a vehicle for social change, alongside nutritional support, academic support and more to help underserved populations around the world.
Here we shine a spotlight on Calder Community Squash, who are based in Calderdale, UK, but have created programmes across the country. Aron Harper-Robinson founded the program to remove the barriers to playing squash for low-income and minority backgrounds.
Here are some of the many successful initiatives that CCS has run since its inception.
Squash from the Mosque
Squash from the Mosque connects Muslim faith communities with squash facilities across the country, and CCS partnered with England Squash to launch the programme nationwide.
Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey found that activity levels in England are lowest amongst those who practise Islam. The Squash from the Mosque programme both offers greater accessibility to sport for these communities, as well as making sure our squash courts are busy and well utilised. One participant said that the weekly sessions “gets me active, keeps me fit and I meet a lot of people doing it, so it’s a good social event as well”. Hear about PSA star Mohammed Elshorbagy’s take on the program below.
Mixed Ability Squash
Similarly In partnership with England Squash, this program aims to bring more people with disabilities onto court. While running tailored coaching sessions of their own, CCS promotes squash sessions for players with disabilities using committees and coaching networks. Their program, designed to show how others can better include their disabled community has already reached 50 clubs up and down the country. Contact info@caldercommunitysquash.com to find out how you can cater to different disabilities on court.
We See You
We See You provides weekly squash sessions to refugees that are housed in local hotels. The initiative creates an opportunity for some of the most vulnerable in society to experience the physical and mental benefits of squash. Abdelrahim, an asylum seeker suffering from anxiety and depression said of the program’s coach, “he has supported me in my studies, sport and my life in general” and added that he was ‘very happy to be a part of this wonderful community”.
Bounce Back
By working with Newground Together, this program seeks to make a positive impact on the Calderdale community by connecting men’s mental health and playing squash. The sessions promote communication and physical exercise. Nick, a participant in Bounce Back said in an interview, “the sessions not only give me a place I can challenge myself mentally through a physical game of chess that squash provides, but a space to talk in a relaxed atmosphere”. To learn more about the impacts of this program, watch Nik’s story here.
🌟 Meet Nick: An Inspirational Journey to Success! 🌟 (youtube.com)
Holiday Camps
Calder Community Squash also participates in setting up and running summer holiday camps for kids that receive free school meals. These camps introduce squash to the kids for the first time and provide them with nutritious meals to promote their health and well-being.
CCS locates the focal points for the underserved and vulnerable in the community and provides them with weekly squash sessions. The PSA Foundation supports the initiatives at Calder Community Squash and will continue to promote squash as a force for good. If you want to find out more about CCS you can contact them here: Info@caldercommunitysquash.com
