Club & Community Development Project Launched in Northern Ireland

Will Nicholson has been appointed as a consultant Club & Community Development Officer for Northern Ireland until the end of March 2024. The Club & Community Development project operates in line with Sport NI funding; however, Irish Squash will be seeking additional investment to sustain and further drive the development of the sport in Northern Ireland in the longer term.

Will is an experienced independent health and wellbeing consultant and has worked across all sectors seeking to improve health and wellbeing through organisational and community development. A lifelong squash player, Will is a qualified coach and takes on the role of head coach at Windsor Club in Belfast and is a founding member of the Mid Ulster Squash Club.

Will leads the initial establishment of participation-focused initiatives and will reach out to clubs directly to offer development support. The key initiatives include:

• Providing support to existing clubs to grow in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
• Initiating the development of new clubs affiliated with Irish Squash.
• Establishing and expanding junior sections and programs within affiliated clubs.
• Delivering junior racket camps in conjunction with local councils.
• Developing new squash programs aimed at encouraging more people, regardless of their backgrounds and abilities, to play squash.
• Promoting squash among schools and universities and driving engagement in the intervarsity national championships and All-Ireland schools championships.
• Assisting in the delivery of the Coach Education Program within Northern Ireland.
• Identifying facilities in need of development and refurbishment and supporting the local community in reestablishing a vibrant squash scene.
• Establishing a North West Squash League.
• Supporting clubs in ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, such as club and membership affiliation, safeguarding, and anti-doping.
• Identifying funding opportunities to benefit affiliated clubs.

Clubs and those seeking to develop and promote squash in Northern Ireland can contact Will Nicholson at [email protected] or 0044 (0)773 345 862.