A SQUASH club in Basingstoke is gearing up to launch a Squash Stars programme this November in an effort to support the Government's ambitious sport strategy.

Bounty Squash Club, located at Basingstoke Sports and Social Club in Fairfields Road, is launching the programme to inspire and encourage young children aged between five and nine to lead active lifestyles through the exciting sport of squash.

The Government's newly unveiled sport strategy sets an ambitious goal of increasing participation in physical activities, with a target of getting an additional 3.5 million people in the UK active by 2030.

This initiative comes in response to concerning statistics revealed by Sport England's Active Lives survey, which indicates that a significant 53 per cent of children and young people are not meeting the recommended daily requirement of 60 minutes of physical activity.

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The Government's mission includes an objective to engage one million more children in physical activities, and to support this goal, the national governing body for squash, England Squash, is steadfastly continuing its primary programme for youth participation, Squash Stars.

This marks the fourth intake of Squash Stars since its inception in 2022, an initiative that has successfully provided thousands of young people across the nation with accessible and affordable avenues for physical activity.

The upcoming six-week Squash Stars course at Bounty Squash Club will cost £42 in total, with each session priced at just £7.

In recognition of the current cost-of-living challenges and financial pressures on parents, every child who enrols in the programme will receive a complimentary racket, Squash Stars t-shirt, ball, goggles, and kit bag.

Squash Stars is designed to equip young participants with fundamental squash skills while expert coaches guide them in enhancing hand-eye coordination, physical literacy, and important life skills such as resilience and teamwork.

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Beyond these benefits, the programme promotes physical activity, with squash being widely regarded as one of the highest-intensity participation sports globally.

Joanna Rowbottom, head of partnerships and programmes at England Squash, said: "Squash is a fantastic sport and a great way to help young people get active. The focus at the sessions is very much on having fun, getting active, and making new friends. We want all the children who take part to soar in every aspect of their life, and that starts with a positive experience with sport."

Families interested in enrolling their children in the Squash Stars programme at Bounty Squash Club can secure a place by visiting the official website at squashstars.co.uk.