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 Harrow Challenge 2011
24-26 June, Harrow Squash Club |
Harrow
Squash Club is gearing up for the inaugural ‘Harrow Challenge
Tournament’ on the weekend of June 24th – 26th, a 3
day festival of Squash incorporating an England Squash &
Racketball backed Graded Tournament, running alongside a full
BSPA event, which will see some of the finest professional
players in the country descending upon the Harrow Leisure
Centre.
Harrow Squash Club first came into existence 13yrs ago, the
building having stood closed for 18 months prior to this for
major renovations including removal of asbestos. Tony Morrison
arrived in 1998 as the clubs first coach and organiser, and set
about transforming the clubs fortunes into the thriving 8 court
(3 glass-backed) hub of activity it has since become.
The Squash Club has a very popular ‘Social Squash’ Activity
which runs four times a week with attendances ranging from 15 to
30 players, as well as running a hugely successful Junior
Development programme which incorporates close links with the
local schools, organising mini squash outreach sessions and
after school coaching. These sessions are run without charge for
the juniors to ensure maximum participation. The club also
offers free weekend coaching sessions for Ladies, to encourage
increased female involvement in sport and exercise in the local
community.
This extensive outreach programme has unearthed a real gem in
one of the clubs biggest success stories – recently crowned
inaugural England u11 Champion Oscar Khoo. Oscar started with
the club aged just 9yrs old, and within 18 months had taken the
National title and English No.1 ranking.
The Squash Club has also reached out into the local community to
establish links with the area’s thriving Asian population, which
has led to a sponsorship programme which invites talented
Pakistani juniors over to be based at and train within the club
for free. The most high profile of these in recent times was
Farzan Rasheed, who claimed several PSA Tour Titles whilst
training at Harrow.
It should be noted that Harrow Leisure Centre is a council owned
facility, operating without the financial support or luxuries of
a private club. This relationship with Harrow Council certainly
has proved challenging over the years, including threats of
closure, reduction in court capacity, and ever changing
management. In spite of these challenges, the club has continued
to thrive; culminating last year in the attainment of the
England Squash Silver Mark award, as recognition for the club’s
quality of coaching and development work to increase
participation and inclusion in this fantastic sport.
Entrance to watch the Tournament is FREE over the weekend of the
24th – 26th, and is a great opportunity to see some of the very
best athletes in the world competing head to head.
For more information or entry forms for the graded tournament
(Grades A – C), contact Tony Morrison on 0777 959 7775.
For more information on the BSPA tournament call Gary on 07958
470 591
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