England Squash expand Places for People Leisure partnership
By Squash Mad Reporter
England Squash & Racketball (ESR) have recently launched their new participation strategy, ‘Game Changer’ and in doing so, have expanded their current partnership with Places for People Leisure. The National Governing body and the Social Enterprise, who run 100 courts across England, will widen their squash programme across their leisure facilities to attract 5,000 new people into the sport.
Wycombe Sports Centre, Kingsway Leisure Centre in Cheshire and the Arena Leisure Centre based in Camberley will continue to work with the Governing Body, whilst a further six sites have been identified that will be part of the new strategy aimed at introducing local communities to the sport. ESR will also continue to provide support to current facility managers in order to help increase squash participation at these sites.
The partnership is part of England Squash & Racketball’s long term strategy to increase participation and footfall through public squash courts. Sport England’s most recent Active People Survey figures suggest that almost 200,000 people are currently playing squash once a week.
The programme will be run for adults and children with the focus on socialising, having fun and learning to play squash. The sessions will run in six week blocks and cost from as little as £10 – those who attend at least five times will also have the opportunity to enter a draw to win their own squash racquet and receive a £5 shopping voucher.
Natalie Davis, Participation Manager at England Squash & Racketball comments: “I am thrilled about this new partnership between ESR & Places for People Leisure, we are looking forward to creating new and innovative opportunities for people to play squash in these facilities and are excited to move forward with this work in the near future.”
Rich Millard, Partnership Director at Places for People Leisure adds: “This further expansion of our relationship with ESR only serves to demonstrate how successful the partnership has been so far. The expertise in delivery and coaching provision from ESR combined with a number of our facilities will ensure that together we provide the highest possible service to local communities. Across England, Places for People Leisure manages more than 100 courts and it will be fantastic to see them utilised to their full potential.”
For more information please visit www.placesforpeopleleisure.org or www.englandsquashandracketball.com