PHILLY SQUASH

July/August 2011, "Everyone Plays"

PHILLYSQUASH IS THE PROUD SPONSOR OF 'EVERYONE PLAYS'

By Jim Snyder   Thu, Sep 16, 2010

The "Everyone Plays" campaign was launched last year by Jim Snyder and Ron Koenig, coaches at Malvern Prep.  Ron and Jim stopped in on three schools in Chester County- St Patrick’s, St Nobert’s and St Monica’s.  Using painter's tape, they laid out four small scale, one wall courts on the gym floor complete with lines on the walls for tins.  Two gyms, conveniently had 19 inch heating vents along the lower wall that made the traditional tin sound when hit. 

Jim and Ron began each gym class with a quick overview of squash followed by a sometimes one sided demo match.  Ron managed to sway the cheering students to his side despite excellent play by Jim.  Chants of "Ron, Ron, Ron" echoed in the gym after a few intense rallies; however, most ended with a chorus of "Nice try Ron."  After the demo match, the students got a chance to hit with Ron and try out the game for themselves.  Ron said the students took to the game immediately; "within ten minutes, they were playing competitive rallies."

The classes ended with the students splitting up onto the four courts and playing King of the Court.    The teachers and students loved the demo and the chance to play squash in the gym.  The teachers are set to add squash to their regular curriculum and the students were eager to try squash on the full court. 

Ron and Jim would both like to see the campaign grow; introducing the game of squash to a greater demographic here in the Philadelphia area. Both are available and willing to set up more gym class demos.  They would also like to see one wall squash grow as an outdoor sport.  "It's simple and takes little preparation.  All you need is some tape, a racket and a ball" says Jim Snyder.  "It a great way to introduce hundreds of kids to a game they would otherwise know nothing about."   

• Ø      PhillySquash.com is dedicated to bringing squash to as many people as possible.  We proudly support “Everyone Plays".  If you would like to see squash at your local school or become a sponsor of "Everyone Plays" contact Jim Snyder at spidersports@yahoo.com or 610 731-9000.   To learn more about the Everyone Plays program visit them on Facebook at Everyone Plays PhillySquash.com

By Jim Snyder

Jim Snyder started out in Racquetball over thirty years ago.  During his racquetball career he coached at several clubs in Florida and Pennsylvania including the Healthplex in Springfield, PA.  He also taught indoor racquet sports at Montgomery County Community College.  While Racquetball Pro at the Healthplex, Jim took up squash and has played ever since.  He is now the Director of Squash at Malvern Prep and the Editor of Phillysquash.com.  He teaches squash for Chester County Night Squash and is the coach for the Malvern youth team in the Chestmont Squash League.

Jim is the co-founder of "Everyone Plays" along with Ron Koenig  and is dedicated to keeping young people active and on the squash courts.

Comments(1):

1. Tuesday, October 05, 2010 james

   great article