What is elitesquash?
Elitesquash is a coaching business for all
levels of player while specialising on providing and environment
to create world class juniors and professionals.
Our mission is to create skilful attacking players with great
movement who play with freedom, intelligence and confidence.
When did your camps begin and what was the aim?
I started our summer camps over 15 years ago with an aim to
provide the ultimate camp environment for young players.
At the beginning there was (and still is) a lot of attention to
detail.
I wanted to create a professional environment in the squash camp
with coaches really engaging, demonstrating and teaching at all
times to maximise the progressive experience for every
individual.
Very importantly after the squash we really went for it with the
evening activities: Kayaking up the river, boat trips, beach
games all allowing for a really fun and social environment which
create memories which last forever.
Intermediate camps, as well as advanced , have recently
been introduced. How is that going?
It's going really well. Often squash camps are only accessible
for more advanced juniors and we realised the are hundreds of
young people who just enjoy the game for fun and also thrive in
a camp environment. It's really important for me that people
understand Elitesquash is not only for 'elite' players.
How do you select your guest coaches that work with your
Bristol coaching team for advanced and Adult camps?
We are very lucky that the professional scene in Bristol has
many world class players who are part of and using our system
and philosophy. For me it is vital that all coaches are
delivering the same message but with a different voice and
experiences. Coaches who really understand how to convey what
they know and can feel the process of the pupil are rare. This
is why I like to use coaches who are living and breathing the
game and that I have a shared passion and trust with.
You are the coach of the current world number one Mohamed
El Shorbagy - Does any of the work you do with him influence and
apply to your junior coaching and camps?
 Working
with Mohamed, Marwan and more recently Yousef Soliman has
massively influenced my views on teaching and the modern game.
Our focus on skill development, creativity and freedom of
playing style has been reinforced by working with and watching
these Egyptian players.
Mohamed of course has all these things but he also has a belief
and will to win like nothing I've never encountered. He will
often say to our young players 'you can always win, no matter
what anyone tells you or what ranking your opponent has, it's
always possible.'
We watch a lot of Psa tv at camps and I try to explain about
these mental battles which are occurring in each players mind
especially matches where I have been in Mohamed's corner been
part of these battles.
What will be in store for the camp participants this
summer?
We will focus mainly on attacking and movement, breaking these
two areas down into fine detail so each player can develop these
them and really feel this on the court. We also focus on
tactical and mental puzzles throughout, constantly asking
questions of the juniors about what is happening and how to
improve things. We want players to absorb as much of our
teaching as possible but then think for themselves and develop
their own squash personality.
Evenings will be for fun and socialising and this year paddle
boarding, climbing, beach games and cinema are some of the
activities.
What is the one main thing that you would want a
participant to gain from attending Elite squash camps?
A feeling that they have learned new things and feel much more
confident about how they play the game especially in attacking
the front court and easy movement. Also that they had an amazing
time and can't wait for next year!
What is next for the Elite Squash academy?
We are starting to take our camps to other clubs where our
coaches bring the Elitesquash coaching philosophy to local
junior and adult players who can't always travel to our camps. I
want to ensure we can access as many keen squash players as
possible and help them get better at this great sport.
Also our partnerships with other clubs will expand over the next
year. Currently Jersey and Dubai have Elitesquash programs
delivered by local coaches who are trained in our system. We are
connecting the players from each academy with camps and trips so
they all feel part of one big global family.
Thanks Hadrian ...
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