Squash fun for ladies at Thame Festival

HEAD squash coach at Racquet Fitness Centre in Thame, Sue Martin Downhill, is determined to spread the word that squash is a great game for ladies. “For mums they just need someone to look after the kids!” She says.

And to prove it, last Sunday, March 12, Racquets held a Ladies Squash Festival – an opportunity for ladies of all ages to visit the club, try out the game and socialise with other ladies who have already discovered that squash is great exercise and fun. Coach, Roger Ridler was on hand to help any ladies who had never been on the court before.

Sue Martin Downhaill (R) with her band of happy squash-playing ladies

“Roger’s gentle approach allows ladies to conquer the fear of walking on the court for the first time,” explained Sue. “Using a bright orange, bouncy ball he helped a few learn how to hit the ball and to serve and after only a short while all the ladies were able to play the game. Some ladies on the court for the first time were able to progress from the orange to the blue and then onto the symbolic ‘single yellow dot’ squash ball. Everyone learns at their own pace and there are other ladies looking for games with other ladies who are at the same stage of learning.

“We find that many ladies are afraid that they might make a fool of themselves on court. After only a few minutes on court though they realise that there are plenty of others in the same boat and I find that everyone laughing at the strange things we do when faced with an oncoming ball is the best way to rid ourselves of the fear; just get in there and give it a go.”

While the ladies were playing squash, the club ran a Creation Station workshop for the kids and a crèche for the very little ones. So the mums could bring their kids along and know that they were in good hands and enjoying themselves too.

Mary Frew, whose husband has played regularly for years but has only just taken up the game, said: “I had a brilliant time at the ladies squash festival. It was a great mix of friendly games and drills to keep us all sharp. The best thing was the amazing atmosphere and laughter. It was great to spend my birthday today with some of the fantastic ladies that I have made friends with through group coaching at Racquets, and to be joined by other friends trying the game for the first time or remembering it after 15 years away from squash. The kids all loved it too. Thank you Sue and Simon for organising!”

Denise Caley only had one hour to play because of mother duties but still managed to get plenty of squash in. Denise has only been playing for two weeks but said; “The kids didn’t want to leave and neither did I. Thanks indeed for organising this brilliant event.”

Sue concluded that Racquets were grateful to England Squash and South Oxfordshire District Council for the #SquashGirlsCan funding which allowed the club to offer so much on the day.