Vicky's story

After gaining my qualifications through Squash Girls Can, I am now employed as a squash coach!

I first got involved in squash through my son, I used to watch him play every week and one day I decided to give it a go! I’d never done a racket sport before, but I really took to it and soon became captain of the ladies team at Walthamstow Sports Club.

I received funding to do my level one coaching qualification from England Squash and as a result of that I was able to run my own Squash Girls Can sessions at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre. The Centre then offered me a contract as squash coach. I’m committed to inclusion and increasing youth participation and as a result founded Walthamstow Junior Squash academy in summer 2016. The academy launched in December 2016 and already has 20 members and 6 coaches! I also run four female only sessions every week at Walthamstow Sports Club. It’s great to see the ladies relaxing and pushing themselves in a way that they may not do otherwise.

I used to work in the academic field, however after a recent diagnosis and successful treatment for cancer, I have structured my work in school around developing squash in the local area. I have developed my own brand Smart Squash and love the educational aspect of coaching and working with juniors – passing on my passion for squash is extremely rewarding and life affirming!

I am currently doing my level 2 coaching qualification through the 2016 Squash Girls Can Coach Development Programme so that I can continue to grow and develop squash in my local area. Being on the Squash Girls Can Development programme has done more than give me a new career, it has allowed me to find a great work-life balance, while keeping fit and giving back to the community. If you are looking to develop yourself as an individual, want to make a difference and enjoy being on court, I would highly recommend joining the Squash Girls Can Development programme!

Find out more about how to get into coaching, like Vicky did, here.