Rangers team up with local squash club to develop future stars

A Premiership football giant has teamed up with Scottish Squash Rackets Club to help develop the next generation of football stars.

As part of Rangers Football Club’s youth development programme, young players are encouraged to try their hand at a variety of sports to develop their all-round athletic ability.

One popular offering has been the chance to get on court at Scottish Squash Rackets Club to give squash a go.

Laurie Ellis, Rangers Lead Phase Coach for the Under 15 and Under 16 players at said: “We introduce the players to lots of different sports, to help develop things like movement skills, coordination skills and just to let them have some fun.

“Squash is really fast moving, there’s a lot of co-ordination needed, and you need to have good footwork to get round the court.

“There are lots of instant decisions, so it’s just a great sport to combine with their development as young footballers – and they all love it.”

While the benefits for the young players have been obvious, the link-up has also helped the club’s coaches to add new ideas to their arsenal.

Laurie explained: “When you’re a diligent coach you are learning every day, so if someone’s taking a squash session you can pick up ideas to deliver information, or drills which can be adapted to football.”

He also added that the squash sessions have an added advantage as a way for the coaches and players to have fun with shared experiences and build stronger relationships.

Scottish Squash Rackets Club were named Club of the Year at the Scottish Squash Annual Awards in 2022.

Key to their success has been a focus on working with different groups from within the local community to attract new players to the club.

Joe Hely, one of the coaches that leads the sessions, said: “Most of these kids had never set foot on a squash court before they started the sessions here.

“It was incredible as they all picked it up so well, and as soon as the first session they were playing games.

“It was great to see how competitive they were, and they all enjoyed their time on court.”

With the sessions well received by Rangers coaches and players alike, the partnership has a bright future.

And while the ball might be different, the skills learned by the young players are sure to be of huge benefit in their sporting future, whether on a pitch, on a court, or wherever their talents take them.

If you would like to give squash a try, check out our Where to Play map to find the club closest to you.