Former world No.7 Derek Ryan will be one of the workshop leaders at this week’s Squash Ireland Junior Performance Academy in Dublin.
The 55-year-old physiotherapist and strength and conditioning specialist is scheduled to deliver two presentations on Thursday at Fitzwilliam LTC, starting with a group of U13/U15 players and then presenting to the U17/19 players.
On his LinkedIn page, Ryan described himself: “A former professional squash player, having competed on the PSA world tour for 12 years and reaching a high of No.7 in the world rankings.
“I am a strength and conditioning coach and advisor to a number of the world’s top-ranked squash players (including three top 10).”
Other workshops scheduled throughout the week for all age-grades are a student-athlete squash talk with Busani Xaba, head coach at Amherst College in Massachusetts, and a Sport Ireland anti-doping session.
There will also be a Sport Ireland performance service session looking at the use of environmental chambers and a Sport Ireland Institute facility tour for the U17/U19 players.
The four-day camp, which is accommodating a total of 31 players, is led by national coach Arthur Gaskin, junior performance coach David Noone and junior development coach Michael Conroy. It marks the new-season lift-off for the strategic development of the best of young Irish squash talent.
Since his appointment last October as head coach, Gaskin has targeted the junior pathway system, and the junior performance camp is viewed as a major first step forward.
“It’s a great opportunity for the players to get many reps in with Squash Ireland’s three coaches ahead of the season. Building continuity by working hard every hour together. Watch out, world, there is more to come.
“It is the first time the players would have got together as this type of squad since launching on June 1st. Michael went to the Dutch Junior Open and David to Cairo for the Worlds. Then this is the first time all the age groups are invited to attend a camp, to get together for a couple of days.”
