TrySomethingNew: H//T SQUASH introduces hundreds of women and girls to “The Healthy Sport”

Like many women and girls in Scotland, Chloe Hockney’s first real experience of squash came during a H//T SQUASH session.

The programme aims to introduce females to squash by providing an opportunity to learn the basics of squash in a fun, friendly and safe environment.

Last year alone, over 100 players were introduced to the game for the first time through the delivery of H//T SQUASH.

Thinking back, Chloe said: “I used to play racketball with my boyfriend and we had tried squash, but I found racketball easier and tended to revert back to that, so the H//T session was the first time where I would say I played squash properly.

“I thought the sessions were really good, especially the basic squash skills that we learned – it was great for a beginner, and a great way to get more women into squash.

With a regular playing partner from a different H//T SQUASH cohort, Chloe continues to enjoy the game today.

“I play a lot more squash now than I ever had before, and I would recommend the course to everyone.”

Leading the movement at clubs across the country are a group of ten (and growing) H//T ACT/VATORS.

It was Edith Mackenzie, leading the activation work at ESC, who delivered the first session that Chloe took part in, with lots of success stories since.

Edith said: “The fact that it’s a six week programme is a great introduction, as it’s not a long time commitment, so you can go for six weeks then decide whether to continue or not.

“It’s also great as one group work through it together, so they can see themselves and each other progressing which is really nice.

“After the H//T blocks finished, we started a beginners night for the individuals that had done the course – and that’s doing really well with lots of women coming along regularly.”

With female participation in squash a key target, the success of H//T SQUASH is helping clubs grow and diversify their membership.

Kirsty Lobban, Scottish Squash Club Development Manager (Women and Girls) said: “It has been great to see the success of the programme at Edinburgh Sports Club.

“H//T SQUASH is a great place to learn the sport whilst being in a fun, friendly and safe environment.

“There are currently ten clubs across Scotland delivering H//T, so if you are reading this and thinking it is something you would like to get involved with, please drop me an email and we can find the right session for you.”

If you are a female squash player that might be interested in bringing H//T SQUASH to your club, or someone new to squash looking to give squash a try, please email kirsty.lobban@scottishsquash.org.

Clubs across Scotland run H//T SQUASH sessions, with details shared on club social media channels as courses run.