Introduction

When completing an ESR coaching course you are qualified to coach and will probably know how to deliver a successful lesson.

However, after going back to their club, most coaches realise that they need to know how to sustain their business.

The object of this pack is to provide that support.

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Surrey Junior Pathway

It is important to familiarise yourself with the pathway as you will be regularly asked by parents how their junior can progress. By having this on your noticeboard or club website, the information will be easily accessible to parents.

Equipment

Laptop, phone or tablet

When not on court you will be contacting schools, parents of junior players and senior players to arrange lessons and carry out admin work e.g. performance plans, coaching programmes etc.

Website

To let the public know where you are and promote yourself.

Camera

For pictures to use for advertisements, to show parents and for video analysis.

Goggles and rackets

At least six sets.

School Mini Squash kit

Three nets (optional)
12 Improver rackets
12 foundation balls and cones

A variety of squash balls

Orange, green,
blue dot, red dot,
single yellow and double yellow dot.

Who to coach

Don’t limit yourself to relying on existing club members.

As a coach you need to create new groups from the local community. This will not only increase your income but, also, that of the club, as your new pupils become members. It is important to do this – the club is supporting you so, in turn, you support the club.

Schools are the main source of your grassroots base. Through working with local schools, you will see an increase in your junior membership. This will also encourage parents to play. Schoolwork fills up the daytime sessions, providing work during ‘off-peak’ times.

Create a social session for women and girls where they can invite friends to join.

Working with schools case study: Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club

  • In 2017 Michael Hennings, Head Squash Coach at Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, set out to increase awareness of, and participation in, squash among children attending primary schools near the club. He also wanted to give the teachers a basic understanding of how to coach squash as this would be motivational for them.

  • He was able to show that he had thought through every aspect of the programme and that it would be a good experience for the children, while adding value for the schools.

  • It was essential to have coaches who enjoyed teaching beginners and were good with children. There was the usual challenge of funding but, here, Surrey Squash was able to assist by providing funds for an assistant coach at each session.

  • The club contributed directly by providing equipment and courts free of charge.

Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club

Tips

  • Have the right number of courts and coaches available to ensure that group sizes are manageable.
  • Build a strong and trusted relationship with the teachers and school by ensuring that the sessions go ahead every week with the same coaches.
  • Plan fun and varied sessions so that the children’s confidence grows as the weeks progress.

  • Have a friendly atmosphere at the club that the children experience outside of their school environment. This encourages them to attend other sessions outside of the school programme.

  • Have a clear understanding of the role of the coach. In Michael’s case this is –

    • To liaise with the school/PE co-ordinator.
    • To be responsible for the health and safety of the children on court.
    • To plan content for the sessions.
    • To source an assistant coach.
    • To make each session fun and enjoyable so that the children want to play more squash.

Working with schools

Who to contact to get started and during…

Area SGO (School Games Organiser)

To get started, you need to know who your SGO is. The SGO’s are responsible for school competition in your area and will give you the right contact in the school.

Teachers

If you know any teachers, ask them who is best to talk to about getting started. Once you’re involved, build up a database of the contact teachers. Work with them and report back on how academy is performing. They will advertise your academy on the school website.

Local council

Your local council will have community projects into which you could introduce squash, e.g. council holiday camps. They can also help steer you on funding opportunities.

Juniors’ parents / club members

Ask parents to enquire about setting up a school club or get the contact details for the right teacher. Once you’re involved with a school, update the parents on activities, which will keep them engaged and supportive.

Surrey Squash

We can help you find the right contacts at schools with whom to liaise. Posting non-school events on school websites and WhatsApp groups will advertise you and your club, engaging people in what you are achieving.

Funding

When starting a new project the target group might be hesitant in paying at first so normally seed funding is needed to finance the first two to six weeks of the project.

Sources of funding can be found:

Councils

Check their funding website, there can be some community based funds available

Active Surrey
Sport England

Surrey Squash

Email us to find out how we’re able to support you

Finance tips

  • Group sessions – by taking payment at the first session for a block of six sessions, participants are committed, while allowing you to cover all costs such as, your time, court costs and assistant fees. However, some players may not want to commit so having a “pay as you go” system works well for some sessions, such as women’s coaching.

  • Individuals – offer blocks of sessions and take payment at the first session. For all lessons, instigate a 24-hour notice of cancellation or payment in full is required.

  • Advertise squash camps and other events with plenty of time to spare and put out reminders – again, with camps, take deposit or full payment beforehand.

  • Invoice two weeks before the end of the course, especially in the case of schools, who can take a term to pay. Also include your UTR tax reference and the wording ‘I am responsible for paying my own income tax and National insurance to HMRC’. Some schools will not process an invoice if this wording is not included.

  • HMRC – keep your records and paperwork up to date and file your tax return on time

Monitoring players

  • Keep registers of all those that you coach including emails and phone numbers.

  • Use the ESR 101 App. By using this you also contribute to participation figures which helps funding bids.

  • Use Excel – group your players by sessions and copy emails across to easily send one email to all.

CPD

  • Create your coaches profile on the ESR website.

  • Keep your annual coach membership up to date.

  • Safeguarding and first aid certificates and DBS checks to be updated every three years.

  • Aim to complete the next coaching level and attend one workshop each year.

  • England Squash run online webinars and have many resources on the Coaches Club section of its website.

  • Ask to observe top coaches in the county. Surrey has three Level 4 coaches:

    • Neil Frankland,
    • Phil Rushworth and
    • Jeremy Colton

Finally…

If you have any questions, please email the Surrey Squash coaching team:

Clare Wright

Clare Wright

Mike Hennings

Michael Hennings

Julie Chappell

Julie Chappell

Surrey Squash Coaches Pack v1.1 13 June 2022