A SPORTS club in Basingstoke has joined a nationwide junior squash participation initiative to attract thousands of girls and boys to the game.

The Bounty Squash Club in Basingstoke joined the six-week Squash Stars programme, which can be attended by children aged 5-11.

With the Commonwealth Games now only around the corner, kicking off in just a few months across the Midlands, the hype is starting to build around the country.

Whilst many have their sights set on which of their favourite athletes will come out on top and don gold around their neck, others are asking about how the Commonwealth Games will support with getting young people active.

Looking back to the last edition of the Games, in 2018, Australia’s Gold Coast saw some of the most inspiring shocks in sporting history from England’s netball squad beating the Aussies in their own backyard to squash star James Willstrop upsetting the odds to claim squash gold.

And now, with the Games set to take place on home soil in August, England Squash has launched Squash Stars, a nationwide junior squash participation initiative to attract thousands of girls and boys to the game.

The six-week programme, delivered by participating clubs and venues from June, will introduce children aged 5-11 to the fun game of squash. A host of squash clubs up and down the country have signed up to the initiative and will be delivering sessions in Hampshire.

The Bounty Squash Club in Basingstoke is enrolled in the program with all information available on the Squash Stars website.

Squash Stars will help children learn fundamental skills to play squash, and develop hand-eye coordination, racket work, movement and match play through action-packed fun games and drills delivered by specially trained leaders.

England Squash player James Willstrop, who won in the 2018 men’s singles event at the Commonwealth Games expressed his delight at the launch of Squash Stars, saying: “Sport has the power to improve lives, from all ages, and it’s really important to get involved as early as you can. As elite athletes, we have a role to play in helping to highlight the many benefits that sport has to offer – including both physical and mental wellbeing. I really hope that these 5-11 year olds that take part in Squash Stars really enjoy not just playing squash, but getting involved in sport and have fun in the process.”

All Squash Stars will receive six group coaching sessions, and a free racket, a ball, bag and goggles to help them get in the game.

Jo Rowbottom, head of partnerships and communities at England Squash said: “Squash Stars is all about being active, having fun and making friends in a safe and inclusive setting. It’s a particularly exciting year for the sport and we’re thrilled to launch Squash Stars ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and inspire a new generation of players. This initiative supports our long-term efforts to grow the game and will build on the fantastic work clubs do already in engaging their local communities.”

Parents can now enrol their child onto the programme via www.squashstars.co.uk.