Jason Broadberry reflects on coaching career and targets continued improvement

Anyone who has played squash at Whitecraigs Tennis Squash and Fitness Club in the last two decades will be familiar with the name Jason Broadberry. 

The club’s stalwart coach has educated, improved and inspired squash players at the club and throughout the West region in that time. 

It was a fitting tribute then, when members of the club rallied together to nominate Jason as the Scottish Squash Coach of the Year 2021/22. 

He said: “When I first heard I had won I was taken by surprise because nobody told me that I was up for it. 

“My wife told me how great it was and all my friends and family said how amazing it was, so I sort of got over myself and began to enjoy it.” 

Having been a fixture at the club for so long, Jason was very appreciative of all the nominations and well wishes which he received. 

Jason said: “Everyone at the club was delighted for me and they were all very complimentary. 

“Whenever I bumped into anyone they were all saying congratulations, I felt like a celebrity enjoying my fifteen minutes of fame.” 

The 53-year-old’s love for squash started as a young player in Surrey, and as he grew older, he started to take on the role of coaching, helping some of the younger players at his club. 

When he made the move north to Glasgow he started to dedicate more time to his craft and started working as a part-time squash coach. 

With those years of experience behind him, Jason is keen to help young coaches to be the best they can be, and he shared some advice for coaches at the beginning of their journey. 

He said: “You’ve got to get on court and just do it. 

“You’re going to make mistakes as you develop, but the more time you spend on court the more you learn about your own coaching, and the more you watch other coaches and go on courses, the more you’ll learn.” 

The experienced coach is currently enrolled on the Scottish Squash Thrive Coaching Programme, which aims to develop a network of highly skilled squash coaches across Scotland. 

Jason reflected: “It has been great to get together with other coaches and discuss all aspects of squash. 

“Particularly thinking about young squash players and what they need to help them along the path.” 

And he has now taken the role of Director of Squash at Giffnock Tennis Squash and Hockey Club, where he is helping to develop the junior section. 

Jason is also one of the organisers of Racketball Around Scotland, which organises tournaments across the country, and this is another passion of his. 

The thriving community that he and fellow organiser Keith Gristwood have created has helped the game to grow in popularity in recent years. 

He said: “I think racketball is a great complementary sport to squash. 

“Players can take a break from squash and still have a good experience playing racketball, and people who are coming to the end of their career can use racketball to keep playing.” 

With Jason coaching as many as 80 players in an average week, and his wider involvement in squash and racketball, the influence that he will have on the game in Scotland is likely to continue to grow, as more and more players hear the phrase: “It’s always a good day for squash.”