THE GOAL OF THE COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
To provide access and lifelong engagement in squash to people spanning the entire socio-economic spectrum, fostering lasting relationships across generations, genders, races and religions and building a lasting and diverse community rooted in shared values.
Community Affiliate Facility Program
The Community Affiliate initiative begins the process of developing more formal relationships with key regional facility partners that are closely aligned with US Squash’s mission of promoting squash’s growth and development by increasing access and awareness, supporting meaningful lifelong engagement in the sport, and encouraging sportsmanship while achieving competitive excellence.
Community Affiliates conduct US Squash programs and activities to build the sport, inclusive of scholastic teams, grassroots development programs, high-performance programs, squash and education programs, adult squash development, and accredited leagues, ladders, and tournaments. Community Affiliates receive programmatic assistance including US Squash software and support services, regional and national promotion, and coordination on pilot programs focused on creating and testing best practices for growing the sport.
To become an affiliate, facilities should express interest with US Squash.
Community Affiliate Facilities
Atlanta Community Squash
Comprising five singles courts and one hardball doubles court, ACS provides affordable access to squash in Atlanta for all levels of play and is the new home of A+ Squash, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of young people through the sport of squash and ongoing educational support.
Portland Community Squash
We are a non-profit community center delivering squash, wellness, and education in Portland, ME. We seek to unite neighbors of all ages and backgrounds and to fully support youth on their journeys from elementary school into adulthood. We believe that a commitment to access, equity, and integration makes every community stronger.
Access Youth Academy
Access Youth Academy was created in 2006 to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic mentorship and urban squash. In a 12-year commitment that begins in 7th grade, Access students embark on a curriculum of intellectual, physical, and social development where academic enrichment, sports training, and financial support combine to help them realize their full potential.
Arlen Specter US Squash Center
With the Specter Center’s 20 courts, the Community Initiative will focus on engaging the entire community under one roof – Squash + Education Alliance participants, after school programs, public schools and universities, community partners, area residents, all to be playing and socializing alongside recreational squash players, league players, all the way up to the Team USA women and men who will be in residence and training at the center.
The Community Initiative work at the Specter Center will be a model for other squash facilities around the country. The Community Initiative program director, the US National Teams Coach and other members of US Squash will travel to clubs, schools, universities and public squash facilities to help establish their own broad community programming and best practices nationwide.
Community Squash Advisors
Barrett Takesian
In a first-of-its-kind partnership Barrett and US Squash have come together to provide professional expertise to accelerate the launch of more affiliates. As Senior Advisor for Community Programs, Barrett is focused on improving access, equity, and integration within the sport. Barrett works with emerging community squash programs and reviews community squash applications.
Awards and Accreditations
Inclusive Space Accreditation
Facilities that host Squash + Education Alliance participants and US Squash events, should strongly consider the inclusive space accreditation. To earn this accreditation, facilities must display a statement of inclusion on their website and commit to at least one annual training on one of the following topics: intercultural communication, implicit bias, or systemic racism.
Inclusive Space Pledge
Community Affiliate Announcements
Squash, The Long Game
Expanding Access: A Strategic Framework for Growth
US Squash Announces Access Youth Academy as Third Community Affiliate
Specter Center Court Installation Underway
US Squash Announces Portland Community Squash as Second Community Affiliate and Partners with Its...
