Jamaica Squash brings the game to the classroom in push to inspire young players
Jamaica Squash President Karen Anderson (left) shares a moment with Dia Campbell after the student was introduced to the sport during the school’s recent Girls’ Day celebration.
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica Squash continues to invest in the future of the sport by introducing young students to the game through hands-on school outreach initiatives.
- As part of that effort, representatives from the organization recently visited St.
- Andrew Prep School during its annual Girls’ Day activities, giving students a unique opportunity to experience squash firsthand.
- The sport was featured alongside several other activities, including basketball and go-kart racing, while netball, already established at the school, also remained part of the day’s offerings.
- The initiative forms part of Jamaica Squash’s broader mission to increase participation and identify new talent by exposing children to a sport many have never previously encountered.
Jamaica Squash continues to invest in the future of the sport by introducing young students to the game through hands-on school outreach initiatives.
As part of that effort, representatives from the organization recently visited St. Andrew Prep School during its annual Girls’ Day activities, giving students a unique opportunity to experience squash firsthand. The sport was featured alongside several other activities, including basketball and go-kart racing, while netball, already established at the school, also remained part of the day’s offerings.
The initiative forms part of Jamaica Squash’s broader mission to increase participation and identify new talent by exposing children to a sport many have never previously encountered.
Students embrace the experience
The response from the students exceeded expectations.
Throughout the day, girls eagerly engaged with coaches, watched videos showcasing competitive squash, and learned the fundamentals of the game. Instruction covered essential techniques such as grip, ball control, serving, and striking the ball correctly. Coaches also emphasized the importance of proper hydration during competition, a lesson that resonated strongly given the warm conditions.
Many students returned repeatedly to the squash station, demonstrating growing enthusiasm as they developed new skills and gained confidence with the racket.
Coach Stephen Dear (left) observes as Kalani Davis puts her newly acquired squash skills into practice during Girls’ Day at St. Andrew Prep.
Anderson: School programs are vital to growth
Jamaica Squash President Karen Anderson said the visit aligned perfectly with one of the organization's key strategic objectives.
"Today St. Andrew Prep is celebrating Girls' Day. And so it's just the young girls from St. Andrew Prep and it's about exposing them to sports and exposing them to squash. This is a perfect opportunity for us to achieve one of the goals on our strategic plan, which is to get more kids playing it and getting it into schools. And so we brought our inflatable court today and exposing the young girls to what squash is about. Hopefully we'll get some young people who are interested and continue to grow the sport as we have wanted to do for a number of years."
The portable inflatable court provided an accessible and engaging environment for the students, many of whom were experiencing squash for the very first time.
Enthusiasm on full display
Anderson was particularly encouraged by the level of excitement shown by the participants.
"It's been fantastic. There's one young lady who has come back at least four or five times and every time she leaves to get her water or something, she says, this is my racket, don't let anybody else take it and I'm coming right back. And every time she's gone to another booth, she's come back. And she's still over there right now as I'm looking across so it's been wonderful."
She added: "The little kids have just absolutely enjoyed it. And we have a screen up so they can actually see what squash is. And they're like, oh, that is it. Yeah, we love that. So very excited."
The repeated visits from several students served as a clear indication that the sport had successfully captured their attention.
Empowerment through sport
Beyond introducing squash, Anderson emphasized the importance of supporting initiatives that empower young girls and encourage personal development through athletics.
"We're really appreciative of St. Andrew Prep inviting us to their Girl’s Day. It's about empowerment and getting young ladies to understand that they are strong, that they can achieve just about anything that they want to achieve. And it's about how you carry yourself and the character that you build and I'm sure that St. Andrew Prep is developing that with these young ladies."
She noted that the event also aligned with wider efforts to promote greater opportunities for women and girls in sports.
"So squash is excited to be a part of that. It aligns with us and with the whole gender equity going on across the world in sports so we're very excited about being a part of this with this girls' day with St. Andrew Prep."
Coach Stephen Dear (left) demonstrates ball-control techniques to St. Andrew Prep student Kalani Davis during Jamaica Squash’s recent Girls’ Day outreach activity.
Looking ahead
Buoyed by the success of the visit, Jamaica Squash officials left St. Andrew Prep encouraged by the interest generated among the students and eager to replicate the experience elsewhere.
With school outreach forming a central pillar of its development strategy, the organization is already looking ahead to future opportunities to introduce the sport to more young people and broaden squash’s footprint across Jamaica.
