Colinton Castle Junior Section is expanding this year. With the help of
Claire Kidd (UKCC Level 3) and the local Active Schools Co-ordinators we are
hoping to increase our Junior membership and have more
activities for Junior members. With Juniors receiving
a FREE membership when their parent/guardian is a fully paid up member is
couldn’t be easier to get your child involved in Squash or Racketball.
Firstly let’s introduce you to Claire.
Claire Kidd – UKCC Level 3 Squash Coach
Claire is 25 years old and has been involved in squash since she was 12
years old. Her involvement began as a player and she quickly became involved in
the coaching side of the game. Having been introduced to the game by
enthusiastic club members Claire was determined that she would give something
back to the game. She enjoys working with youngsters whether they are looking
to improve their game or just looking to get some enjoyment out of it.
Claire was a successful player both as a Junior and Senior. She
represented Scotland at 5 different National and International competitions as
a Junior player. As a Senior
player Claire was heavily involved with the Senior Scottish Squash consistently
attending ruthless training sessions at 6.30am. The training paid off as Claire
was crowned National Champion in 2007 and represented Scotland at the European
Championships for 4 consecutive years. Unfortunately illness/injury forced
Claire to miss out on Selection for the Europeans in 2010 and for the
Commonwealth Games Team 2010. Following this injury/illness Claire has taken a
step back from playing squash to focus more on squash coaching.
As a coach Claire has been involved in coaching since the age of 16
where she first helped her own coach with keeping an eye on the young kids who
attended coaching at her own club. At 17 she took part in the Scottish Level 1
Pilot Course and has subsequently achieved England Squash
Level 2 and the UKCC Level 3 qualification. While at University Claire
worked as a coach at the David Lloyd club in Edinburgh where she built up and
thriving Junior section. On leaving University she
parted company with David Lloyd and began coaching at Colinton Castle alongside
her work with Heriot Watt University and George
Watson’s College. Claire is now working on expanding the Junior
section here at Colinton Castle which we are all very much excited about.
Claire’s involvement in coaching hasn’t just been at club level. She has
been coaching as part of the National Academy and Talent Squad for the last 5
years. She has also been tasked with taking payers to International Competition
when representing Scotland and on all 3 occasions she has coached the team to
beat their seeding. In 2009 Claire coached the U17 team to Scotland’s ever
highest position in a Junior European Competition when they team finished R/Up
to England!!
Colinton Castle is lucky to have such an experienced coach as Claire and
looks forward to helping her expand the Junior section
at the club.
Claire can always be contacted at claire@kiddsports.com and on 07958 547 637. Do not hesitate
to contact her with any questions about Juniors at
Colinton Castle
What’s on offer for Juniors at Colinton Castle?
Mini Squash Class
This is an ideal start class for primary school players. Players will be
introduced to squash through fun games & competition. Mini Squash is split
into 3 levels FUNdation, Improver & Pro and
systematically moves players through the sport introducing them to new shots as
well as games that help to develop their hand eye co-ordination and their
racket skills. Each level is split into 6 or 7 sub levels with small steps
between each level so players achieve a greater amount of success.
At the moment classes are aimed at Primary 4-7 however should you have a child in Primary 1-3 who is interested in
attending please contact the coach to discuss the possibility.
Players will have a list of goals to achieve before they can move on to
the next sub level and the next level. Players have the opportunity to purchase
a mini squash passport where they can track their success. If they do not want
to do this then Colinton Castle have a wall chart at the club where the
progress of each player can be tracked. Rackets, eyewear and balls do not have
to be purchased and can be borrowed from the coach during the class. Mini
Squash uses equipment which is appropriate for the size & the standard of
the player. There is an opportunity for players to purchase their own equipment
should they so wish.
By the end of Mini Squash players will:
· have been
introduced to all the shots used in the game
· be able to play a
game of squash to 11 against another player in the class
· be able to score a
game between 2 other players in the class
· know how to
effectively around the court
· have the ability to
get involved in club & local competition is if they wish
· be able to advance
to the Junior Squash Class
Classes will run in 4 weekly blocks.
Classes take place on a Monday, Friday and Saturday.
The cost of the class is £12 for member and £16 for non-members.
The cost of a Mini Squash passport is £3.
Places are limited to 8 per class.
Junior Squash
This class operates as an ideal follow on from the Mini Squash Classes.
It is also an ideal starter class for players of Academy age. This class will
introduce/further a players knowledge of the shots used in squash. It will also
introduce the players to the concept of tactical play. Players will be
introduced to the idea of Minimum Standards for each shot & their target
areas will decrease in size in order for them to improve. They will also be
introduced to different elements of tactical play knowing when to use each
shot. The class is aimed at giving each player formal individualised coaching
which will help them improve.
As with Mini Squash players will have a list of goals to achieve in
order to pass Junior squash and prove they are a
suitable standard to move onto the Development Squash Class. Players will be
given a booklet that they are responsible for. Some of the goals will require
them to find out information about Squash in the East and in Scotland using
various websites. Players attending this class can borrow equipment from the
coach for the duration of the class.
By the end of Junior Squash players will:
· know all aspects
that was learnt in Mini Squash
· know the purpose of
each shot
· know the Minimum
Standards for each shot in squash
· understand when to
use each shot during a game
· be able to move
more efficiently around the court
· improved their shot
accuracy through solo practice
· used each shot in a
tactical environment
· understand the
general tactics of the game of squash
· Be encouraged to get involved in club & local competition
· be able to advance
to the Development Squash Class
Classes will run in 4 weekly blocks.
Classes take place on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
The cost of the class is £16 for member and £20 for non-members.
Places are limited to 6 per class.
Development Squash
This class is open only to those who have achieved all the goals at
Junior Squash level. It is an advanced class which will develop a player’s
knowledge of the game and is designed to develop match play & competition
skills as well as shot accuracy. Players will be introduced to bulls eye targets for each shot as well as the concept of
pattern play which will aid their tactical knowledge. Players involved in this
class should be prepared to represent the club at Inter Club competitions, East
Junior Events and get involved in some of the adult competition at the club
(where appropriate).
hile involved
in the Development Squash Class players will:
· know all aspects
that was learnt in Junior Squash
· be taught the Bulls
Eye for each shot
· increase their
understanding of tactics through games & practice
· increase their
speed around the court
· continue to improve
their shot accuracy through solo practice
· increase their
racket skills through solo practice
· be involved in
local & club competition
· be encouraged to
enter into National competition
· know many practices
that they can use to improve their squash
· be reminded of all
aspects of squash
Classes will run in 4 weekly blocks.
Classes take place on a Wednesday, Friday.
The cost of the class is £20 for member and £24 for non-members.
Places are limited to 6 per class.
Social Squash
This class can be attended by any player. Players can attend both
coaching and Social Squash or just come along to the Social Squash class. This
class is designed to get players involved in competitive squash with different
club members. Each week the class will take a different format with games being
played as an individual competition or as part of a team competition. No formal
coaching will take place although players will be given tactical tips. Any
JUNIORS, any AGE, any GENDER, any ABILITY................everyone is welcome.
Players showing interest will be encouraged to get involved in
competition and formal coaching classes.
While involved in the Social Squash Class players will:
· increase their
knowledge of the game
· improve their
understanding of tactics
· be involved in a
competitive club environment
· be involved in
individual & team competition
Classes will run in 4 weekly blocks.
Classes take place on a Friday and Saturday.
The cost of the class is £8 for member and £12 for non-members.
Racketball Club
Racketball has always been
played in some capacity in clubs around Scotland however Scottish Squash now
incorporates Scottish Racketball. This class is for
people who find squash too daunting or too difficult. As with Social Squash it
is a purely game playing class. Anyone can pick up and racket & ball and
within a hour be able to play a game of racketball. Racketball can
provide a good introduction to squash or can be a sport of it’s own right.
In racketball the rackets are shorter but with
a bigger head and the ball bounces higher. There is no need to warm up the
ball!! With the ball being bouncier there is less moving in and out of corners
and there will be less need to worry about getting stuck against the back
wall!!
Who should play Racketball:
· anyone who has never played a racket sport
· people who think squash will be too difficult
· anyone who has tried squash but not managed to get going!
· anyone who wants a bit of exercise and enjoyment
· ANYONE!!!
Classes will run in 4 weekly blocks.
Classes take place on a Friday and Saturday.
The cost of the class is £8 for member and £12 for non-members.
