‘Dedicated’ young squash coach up for volunteer award

THE average life of a 13-year-old will generally involve keeping up with mounds of homework, trying out every new after school club going and spending time on the PlayStation. But Lord Williams’s year nine student, Oliver Cartwright, spends his time a little differently.

Ollie Cartwright (Back-right) with some of the other young squash players he helps

Most of the week after school hours you will more than likely find Ollie at his local squash club, Racquets Fitness Centre. Whether it’s at the squash fitness class on a Monday, on court with the younger juniors Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, training on a Thursday or playing matches at the weekend, Ollie is never far from the squash courts!

As well as being dedicated to improving his own game, Ollie gives up his free time to help with junior squash sessions several times a week. The result of Oliver’s hard work and commitment has come in the form of a nomination for ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’ in the 2017 Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

He has now been shortlisted and will attend the official awards ceremony in January with other young volunteers in Oxfordshire. Head Squash Coach of Racquets Fitness Centre, Chloe Marshall, said: “Ollie’s commitment to our junior programme has enabled us to run squash sessions six days a week, making it much more accessible to our local children. His help has been invaluable! From speaking with the coaching team it has become apparent that Oliver’s own personal confidence has grown tremendously over the past year as well as the development of his coaching skills.

“We wish Oliver the best of luck in January at the awards evening, and with his future in squash.”