Football meets squash in unique partnership
Lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan Nick Matthew welcomed two footballers from local rivals Sheffield United to his Hallamshire club to launch a new partnership between the League One club and England Squash and Racketball.
Blades players Harry Maguire and David McAllister were treated to a showcase of skills by Sheffield’s world squash champion Matthew.
Matthew has just launched his own academy and Scarlett Smith, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for England Squash & Racketball, said: “Our partnership with Sheffield United is about highlighting Sheffield as a key sporting city, with linking world champion Nick Matthew and two of our most successful squash clubs we are confident that we can get more young people active and playing squash.”
Sheffield United commercial director Steve Coakley said: “This is an exciting initiative which the club is delighted to support and profile. We look forward to a close working relationship with England Squash & Racketball in the future.”
Free taster sessions ran before the Sheffield United home fixture for children during half-term at Hallamshire and Abbeydale Squash Clubs. Youngsters who participated were given free tickets for the Sheffield United v Portsmouth match.
England Squash & Racketball were one of the sponsors of the Pompey game, which the Blades won 1-0 to go second in the table, level on 31 points with Tranmere Rovers.
That must have hurt 1: Matthew is an Owls fan.
That must have hurt 2: Scarlett supports Southampton, Pompey’s bitter rivals on the south coast.