From one session to a thriving programme: A club’s journey into Mixed Ability Squash

A family's passion for squash has helped a Lincolnshire club open up the sport for all through its flourishing mixed ability programme.

In 2022, Grantham Squash Club were beneficiaries of an England Squash initiative providing squash 57 equipment to deliver Mixed Ability Squash, and over three years it has grown from two initial mixed ability sessions to several each week involving 25-30 participants across two groups.

The initiative is spearheaded by husband and wife duo Nigel and Rachel Truman plus their son Louie, through their TruCoaching project, and the rewards are clear to see.

“We had two mixed ability sessions in January and February and that was it, but we thought if we had a bit more time and could make it last a bit longer, we'll do it that way,” said Nigel, a Level Two coach who teaches both squash and squash 57 at Grantham.

“It's worked in so many ways and anybody who is involved is doing their bit. Even the participants are volunteering to lead sessions on warm-up routines.

“The adult support workers are getting involved with wanting to learn more about squash 57 so they can be a bit more independent and put another session on, so we're growing it that way.”

The sessions were initially run on a voluntary basis with one day centre, but the club have since been able to secure funding from both Sport England and Greene King to bring in another. With additional funding from Lincolnshire County Council, they have also been able to install a lift to make the club more accessible.

But while the funding has proved helpful in that regard, the real secret to their success has been the way Grantham Squash Club have gone out of their way to integrate Mixed Ability Squash.

One of the first things they did was offer free membership to the participants and free use of the facilities for the mixed ability sessions, in recognition of the financial challenges some face.

Nigel, who combines his squash commitments with his work as a driving instructor, also gained approval from the club to take a couple of hours between sessions each Friday to look after the administrative side and put together funding applications.

Just as importantly though, Mixed Ability Squash has been embraced by Grantham Squash Club as simply just something else they offer.

That welcoming environment, in turn, led to the participants wanting to give back to the club by volunteering to help maintain upkeep of the facilities, as well empowering them to take the lead in their own squash sessions.

“The club have been fantastic,” Nigel said. “They voluntarily mentioned 'You've got your membership, we're not going to charge you, we're not going to charge you for the lights'.

“Then the group turned around and said 'This is fantastic, can we volunteer to do some work around the club?'.

“It's unbelievable. Everybody has got an individual job and skill. One of our group, who has Down syndrome, is into yoga-type poses, and we went into putting some music on and she led a session where people would copy the movements.

“They share their experiences and encourage each other. Every single person is benefiting mentally and physically.”

Plans for the year ahead include applying for more funding to add a third group, bringing centres together for mixed ability sessions, and encouraging those participating to come along to spectate at team matches at the club.

Nigel is in no doubt Grantham's experience shows there are only positives to embracing Mixed Ability Squash and had plenty of advice for other clubs wanting to start their own mixed ability squash programme.

“Be prepared to learn and enjoy,” Nigel said. “Feed off the adult support workers, work both ways, open your club up, but open your arms and your hearts up.

“Be prepared to adapt and have a really, really good time along the way, that's what it's all about. It will grow - the rewards are fantastic.

“We're always going to be here, we're always going to keep doing it no matter what.”

Interested in running Mixed Ability Squash at your club but need funding to get it off the ground? Why not apply for our kickstart grant or simply sign up to delivering Mixed Ability Squash at your club. You can also find out more about Sport England's Movement Fund.