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The ESF board has taken the very difficult decision to cancel all 2021 Championship events.

The key factors in reaching this decision include all the uncertainties caused by the Covid pandemic around universal access to indoor sporting facilities, uncontrolled variables such as travel within Europe and the significant costs of trying to create a safe indoor environment for players, coaches and officials.

So, while we wait for our Masters circuit to restart, ESF would like to provide you all with an opportunity to train ‘together’ virtually. 
Derek Ryan, official physiotherapist for the PSA and former world no. 7, will lead these online sessions: 
 
 
 
  ESF in partnership with Derek Ryan – Virtual Training Sessions  
 
Strength and Conditioning sessions: Tuesday evenings from 20th April-8th June 2021
Tuesdays 19:00 for 8 weeks starting 20th April 2021 until 8th June 2021.
Sessions can be individual or block booked. It is not necessary to register for all sessions.   
 
What is Masters Squash FIT?
It’s a moderate to high intensity strength & conditioning total body workout combining functional movements and resistance training using body weight, weights and bands. This Physiotherapist led, squash specific circuit based class will develop your strength, power, stability, mobility and endurance.
Derek Ryan
The classes will be delivered by Derek Ryan, former World Number 7 and World Masters Champion. Derek is the current Lead Physiotherapist for the PSA World Tour and Strength & Conditioning Consultant to some of the World’s leading players.Registration Weblink
All players need to register online. Online Zoom invitations will be sent before the sessions by email to each registered player.
https://forms.gle/NyVqf1oQ2StrartX6
 
The classes are free!

 
Competitive weekend event: 7th-9th May 2021
 

In addition, Derek will host a weekend ‘event’ 7-9th May which consists of 4 training sessions (Friday evening, Saturday morning & afternoon, Sunday morning) which will mimic the pattern of physical activity we remember from playing squash tournaments!

There is a competitive element to the event also using a points-based system and includes answering some fun squash questions. 
Each player will represent their country and the team with the highest score wins!
The cost of ‘competing’ in this event will also be covered by the ESF. All you have to do is sign up and represent your country!
 
Competitive weekend event: 7th-9th May 2021
4 training sessions (Friday 18:00, Saturday 11:00, Saturday 18:00 and Sunday 11:00. Any player entering will represent their country and the team with the most points wins! Emulates a weekend tournament.Suitability
The May weekend event is physically demanding, emulating four games of competitive squash. By registering for any of the events, you are declaring you have the appropriate level of fitness to participate and agree the disclaimer.

Deadline for registrations
Online registrations close on Friday 30th April.

Eligibility
Players need to be over 35 years of age and affiliated with a European Member Nation.  Please click on the weblink to register https://forms.gle/NyVqf1oQ2StrartX6

Equipment
A light weight or own body weight can be used. Players will also need a racket, court shoes, and 3 metres to move backwards and forwards.

Zoom
The sessions are live and will take place via Zoom, video on or off. It is necessary for everyone to be online and ready with a stable internet connection and a suitable device by the start time for each session. 

Enjoy both the classes and the weekend event on May 7th – 9th.
Good News for Squash Refereeing! World Squash Officiating (WSO) will officially launch it’s new website full of useful info and media for current and emerging squash referees.
 
www.worldsquashofficiating.com will provide an online facility for advancing through the new levels from Level 0 to Level 5 and will be a great asset to us all.
 
Check out the Irish Squash website refereeing section to see how Irish Squash will cover your initial fees.


Regards

Lee Healy
Refereeing Secretary 

 

Introducing the First Ever Junior Online European Championships, which will take place from the 16th – 18th of April. So far there are 8 nations participating, so it’s sure to be a competitive (but fun) weekend!  The processes, information and requirements are outlined below. Entry is FREE!
 
Infomation for Participants
 
Send a mail to [email protected] to register by 1pm on Thursday 15th April 2021
 
All you need is your racket, a small weight and some water
 
A Points Based System  will be used during the tournament
 
The points based system works as follows:  1 point per session attended.  Bonus point if all 4 sessions attended.  It is ok if participants do not attend all 4 sessions however there will be penalty deductions for example:
1 Class attended:      1 point awarded but 3 points deducted = Score -2
2 Classes attended:  2 points awarded but 2 points deducted = Score 0
3 Classes attended:  3 points awarded but 1 point deducted = Score 2
4 Classes attended:  4 points awarded plus 1 bonus point = Score 5
 
There will also be opportunities for bonus points during the sessions! 
At the end of the tournament, points will be tallied for each nation and divided by the number of nation participants to give a nation average.  The nation with the highest average will be crowned the winner! 
 
Videos May be On or Off during each of the sessions.
 
Full name used at registration must be displayed on Zoom for all sessions attended. This will help to make sure you are awarded the correct points!
 
See posters attached, please use these on your social media or email to your club members
 
All feedback before, during or after the tournament is welcome so please feel free to direct this via your association.
 
See the Event Website for information and a bit of background. https://squashfitness.co.uk/squashopen2020-usflyer_new/
 
 
 

Good luck and we hope you all enjoy the tournament!!

Irish Squash in partnership  with Squash Fitness are offering a 12 week strength & conditioning programme for Juniors, commencing next Monday April 5th and for Seniors commencing Wednesday April 7th.

Under 13’s & U15’s class is on every Monday for 12 weeks from 5-6pm and  U17’s & U19’s are on every Wednesday from 5-6pm. The classes are strictly for the ages above and no younger than 11 please.
 
We also are offering a 12 week strength & conditioning programme for senior players, commencing Wednesday April 7th.
The class is on every Wednesday for 12 weeks from 7-8pm.
 
What to do
 
E mail [email protected] to say you want to register and supply the name of the player. Closing date is next Sunday April 4th. You will then be sent the zoom link for the classes on Monday morning April 5th.
 
See the poster attached, which can be sent to club members or put up on your club’s social media with the instruction above
 
Hoping as many of you as possible join the classes, as there is no limitation on numbers.
 
Irish Squash in association with Squash Fitness, Wales, Scotland and England invite you to the First Ever Squash Masters Online Home Internationals.  With all four nations participating it’s sure to be a competitive (but fun) weekend!  The processes, information and requirements are below, but feel free to contact me if you have any questions. The weekend sessions will  be delivered by Derek Ryan. Some of you have been doing sessions with Derek over the last few weeks.
 
How it works?
 

FIRST EVER! SQUASH MASTERS ONLINE HOME INTERNATIONALS 2021

WHAT?    Four 1-hour LIVE sessions of squash specific strength & conditioning exercises delivered over a 48-hour period to emulate a weekend tournament with players from Ireland, Wales, England & Scotland

When?   26-28th March.   Duration: 1 hour.    Schedule: Friday 6pm, Saturday 11am, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 11am

Who?    Masters aged 35+

Need?    1 light weight (dumbbell, Medicine Ball or 2 litre bottle of water); Racket; Court Shoes; Non-slip surface; Area of 3m minimum to move forwards/back; and Laptop/phone/tablet

Delivered by?  Derek Ryan: Former World No.7; PSA World Tour Lead Physio; Professional Strength & Conditioning Consultant to Leading PSA Players

How?      Delivered LIVE and ONLINE via ZOOM. Video on or off

 
Points Based System
The points based system works as follows:  1 point per session attended.  Bonus point if all 4 sessions attended.  It is ok if participants do not attend all 4 sessions however there will be penalty deductions for example:
1 Class attended:      1 point awarded but 3 points deducted = Score -2
2 Classes attended:  2 points awarded but 2 points deducted = Score 0
3 Classes attended:  3 points awarded but 1 point deducted = Score 2
4 Classes attended:  4 points awarded plus 1 bonus point = Score 5
 
There will also be opportunities for bonus points during the sessions! 
At the end of the tournament, points will be tallied for each nation and divided by the number of nation participants to give a nation average.  The nation with the highest average will be crowned the winner! 
 
.Full name used at registration must be displayed on Zoom for all sessions attended. This will help to make sure you are awarded the correct points!
 
All feedback before, during or after the tournament is welcome so please feel free to direct this to [email protected]
 
To Apply – Send an e-mail to [email protected] to enter for free with the name of the player entering.  Closing date is Thursday March 25th @ 1pm. The zoom links for the weekend will then be sent to you on Thursday.
 
Good Luck and we hope you all enjoy the ‘Tournament’

Sport Ireland invites applications for Women in Sport Analysis and Punditry Training

Through its Women in Sport Programme, Sport Ireland is seeking candidates to partake in a new initiative that will provide expert training on pre, during, and post sport event analysis and punditry for broadcast (TV, live-streaming, radio).

Increasing the visibility of females in sport is a key pillar of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy and a number of objectives have been set out, including the training of potential female analyst and pundits. Increasing the pool of female candidates available to broadcasters is one such objective.

The programme, run in conjunction with training, development, and communications experts The Communications Clinic, will last approximately six months, and will provide the successful candidates with the understanding and the practical skills of working in a live studio environment, preparation & research for broadcasts, on-air delivery, establishing area(s) of specialisation and establishing relationships with key stakeholders – broadcasters, players, officials and governing bodies.

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy welcomes the launch of the training, “I am delighted to open applications for this training. Sport Ireland is committed to increasing women’s sustained involvement in sport as coaches, volunteers, club members, athletes, advocates, leaders, and participants.  Having more females visible as analysts and pundits is central to increasing involvement and visibility and I look forward to seeing more balance on our screens and on the airwaves in the near future”. 

As part of the training programme, the successful candidates will also partake in a mentorship programme, which will see them learn from the very best in the business.

Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr. Úna May commented, “This training will take women who have a passion for sport, who know their sport inside out and prepare them to face the obstacles that exist in television and radio. It will help them develop the skills, experience, confidence and ability to become world class media contributors and national role models. Increasing the visibility for women in sport is a key aim of our work and we look forward to seeing more visible role models”.

Sport Ireland Women in Sport Lead, Nora Stapleton added, “Since the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy was launched in 2019, significant work has been done to increase the visibility of women in sport. We know that the heroes of today inspire the next generation and sports heroes aren’t just those who compete or perform on the world stage. Many people look up to the expert analysists and pundits and it is important that there are female role models in this area as well”.

The training is aimed at anyone who has a love for sport, a flair for analysing and dissecting matches and events and are seeking a career in the media. 

Interested individuals are asked to submit a brief personal statement that gives a summary of why they are interested in partaking in this programme, and how their experience makes them a suitable candidate for the programme. The application must also include a short video or audio clip analysing a passage of play from a match or event.

Further information on the training and the application format can be found on the Sport Ireland website.

Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday April 2nd.  Applications must include a completed application form and a sample audio or video file.

For the full details and to download the application form visit Sport Ireland website.

www.sportireland.ie/women-in-sport/broadcast-training

Many teenage girls across Ireland are missing out on the benefits of sport and physical activity because they don’t think they are “sporty enough”, they don’t know where or how to get involved, and they don’t think there are opportunities for them to be involved in sport other than traditional team sports.

Use your voice to help these teenage girls realise that sport and physical activity can be a part of their lives and that sport is for everyone, including them.

Be part of the Sport Ireland Girls Get Active Hackathon. Help us tackle the challenge of inactivity by being part of
the solution.

What is a Hackathon?

A Hackathon is a short concentrated event that brings people together to brainstorm and share a range of creative and innovative ideas around a challenge. It is a great way for people to come together, share ideas and create positive change in society.

See here for how to get involved – Hackathon

The WSF Coaching Conference will take place during the afternoon of Saturday 20th March. It will be recorded and uploaded to the WorldSquashTV YouTube Channel at 7pm Irish time for everyone, as we only have limited capacity for the live session.
 
The Conference is being held in English, as the recording will be available on YouTube, subtitles will be available in various languages.

Programme for Coaching Conference

William Louis Marie – Welcome & Introduction (10m)
WSF Vice President & Chair WSC Sarah Fitz-Gerald – Opening Speech- Duration (5m)
Jesse Engelbrecht – WSC/SquashSkills Foundation Coach Course (20m)
Roy Gingell – WSO Online Courses (10m)
Intermission (5m)
Ronny Vlassaks – Video analysis using Zoom (55m)
Intermission (5m)
Jesse Engelbrecht – The Mind Game (40m)
WSF President Zena Wooldridge OBE – Closing Speech (5m)
Please note all timing is approximate, and the order may be subject to change at short notice.

The YouTube Link will be published on the WSF Face Book page as soon as it is available on Saturday 20th March, so please make sure you like and follow the WSF Face Book page 
https://www.facebook.com/WorldSquash/ to make sure you do not miss out on the day!
 
We hope that you will enjoy the first virtual WSF Coaching Conference.

Join Sport Ireland Coaching as we explore the officiating pathway for females in Ireland and how it can be improved. 

Speakers on the day include Michelle O’Neill, a League of Ireland official and FIFA International Assistant Official and Maggie Farrelly, GAA and Ladies Gaelic Football official at provincial and national level. 

Both speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table and will discuss their experiences of progressing through the ranks of refereeing and officiating and their hopes for the future and the development of a pathway to encourage more women in to refereeing and officiating in all sports. 

Registration for the event which is on Friday 12th March at 1pm through this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wV5-fdzBT9aDkZISRQuW2g

 The webinar is open to all with an interest in women in sport and particularly suitable for anyone currently officiating, those who have an interest in the pathway of developing more female officials in their sport.

A reminder of the next and final event in our Squash Webinar Series. 
 
‘Mazen Hesham – A Conversation with the World No.12’ hosted by Ireland’s very own Aisling Blake, former World No.21 and Irish Champion.
 
Wednesday 10 March at 7.30pm  
 
Don’t miss out!
 
Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/squash-mazen-hesham-a-conversation-with-the-world-no14-tickets-136716610061