Five years ago, Russell Lomas took a look around him at his fellow members of the Trent Bridge Squash Club and decided something had to change.
“I had a sudden realisation that I was one of the youngest players at the club,” explained Lomas. “That just wasn’t sustainable.”
Fast-forward half a decade, and he has now become an England Squash-qualified coach, attracting an ever-increasing number of youngsters to his weekly ‘Junior Superstars’ squash coaching at the venue.
“Squash can be seen as a minority sport, but for kids that want to be active, or parents who want their kids to be active, it’s ideal,” Lomas continued.
“We’ve had loads of great feedback on the sessions, and one thing people always comment on is the lovely family feel to the club."
Lomas runs two classes each Sunday morning, catering for different ages and abilities.
Five to eight-year-olds take part in the first session at 10am, which gets youngsters acclimatised to being on a squash court with throwing, catching and dodgeball activities.
From 11am, the session for nine to twelve-year-olds focuses more on racquet skills.
“I always make sure the kids are kept busy,”, added Lomas.
“Some of them have started coming to me after initially playing tennis, but tennis training can involve a lot of waiting around.
“In these classes, you’re always running around and getting involved with hitting, throwing or catching.”
Sunday morning squash coaching costs £4.50 per child, and £4 for each additional friend or sibling.
For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page
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