Squashed Egos at Herts Sports Village

In support of Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire, an initiative developed in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) has embarked on a programme to promote participation in squash by the older population. 

Squash is widely regarded as one of the more strenuous sports and is not one generally associated with debutants, aged 60 and over, but that is exactly what the HSP Squashed Egos programme sets out to achieve. The recent launch of the project saw a dozen older adults join coaches and HSP team members Adrian Ledbury and John O’Callaghan for a come and try session. 

The launch followed hot on the heels of the Partnership’s Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire Celebration Day held in early September at the Hertfordshire Sports Village and several of those that took part experienced the game of squash for the very first time, as part of that event. 

The programme which uses modified rules to accommodate walking squash players is ideal for older adults wanting to remain active in later life and can even be played by some of those with long term health conditions. This is achieved by reducing the area of the court to be covered by participants, who play with a bouncier, red-spot squash ball. 

Feedback from the launch event, which was used primarily to outline the basic rules of the game and to get participants to develop their hitting skills, has been very positive. So much so that the organisers are arranging further monthly sessions starting on November 15th 2024 and hope to submit an application to Sport England for funding to develop a weekly session throughout 2025. 

Reflecting on the launch event, coach Ledbury said: 

“Most of the participants had never held a squash racquet before and some hadn’t played for over 40 years, but it was hugely encouraging to see how willing they all were to have a go, and how quickly some of the skills developed.  

Squash can be one of those sports that you play throughout your life but historically an entry point for older adults hasn’t generally been on offer. Nevertheless, I am confident that this programme will address that and look forward to seeing how we can reach and enthuse a growing number of older adults to get involved.” 

Fellow coach, O’Callaghan, said: 

“I was a squash enthusiast playing regularly for over 30 years – without, sadly, getting any good at it! In 2016 I dislocated my ankle whilst playing which resulted in an eventual ankle fusion, which has restricted my mobility. Alongside a former HSP colleague, Peter Simmons, we cobbled together some basic rules for Walking Squash and being the only two participants at the time, we took it in turns at being World Champion! 

We quickly learned that the adapted rules facilitated a good workout and an excuse for a pint afterwards, and we now have about 10 players of a certain age, that regularly participate in the sport in Hertfordshire. It was that experience which was our motivation for developing the Squashed Egos programme and I would urge anyone over the age of 60 who is interested in giving it a go, to come along for the next free session on the 15th November.” 

For further details of the Squashed Egos programme please contact Charlotte Bird c.bird3@herts.ac.uk