New players - Junior Squash in the ACTSquash is a great game for developing coordination, confidence, fitness, friends and a sense of achievement. But most of all its FUN.
Introduction
Junior squash caters for kids from about 8-18 years of age and offers a great blend of individual challenge and team play.
Squash can be enjoyed in rain, hail or shine.
Squash is growing rapidly worldwide. The international circuit is growing and now offers unprecedented opportunities for players to enjoy full-time, professional squash careers.
Playing squash
A short version of the rules can be found at the World Squash Federation Website.
To play squash you will need:
Racquets can be purchased from squash centres or sports shops and cost from $80-250 (they generally last a long time in the hands of juniors).
The ACT Junior Squash Pennant Competition
Two ACT junior pennant competitions are held each year:
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the Autumn competition runs from late February to mid-June, and
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the Spring competition runs from mid-August to early December.
Each competition includes 10 rounds plus finals; no matches are played during school holidays or long weekends.
Each competition costs about $100.00 (varies slightly between clubs). Junior competition is played on Friday nights, commencing at 6:30pm
The ACT junior competition has 6 or 7 grades (depending on numbers). Each team has 3 members. Teams are mixed. Each player’s match is the best of five games. Scoring is “point a rally”, first to 15 points wins a game.
In addition to playing singles matches, Divisions 1-5 play a rubber of 3 doubles games, partnering each of their team-mates. Doubles is great fun and very popular. It is great for sharpening reflexes and honing skills for singles.
The junior competition is monitored closely to ensure that all players are fairly graded. If necessary positional adjustments are made.
Registration form to be handed into your nearest club
Safety
Safety is paramount - all juniors are required to wear approved protective eye-wear. The cost is about $30-50 depending on model. Otherwise, squash is a very safe game if normal care is taken.
The Squash Matrix
Squash ACT uses a sophisticated Web-based system called the Squash Matrix which adjusts each player’s score following each match to adjust their position in the order of merit. The Squash Matrix is a totally open and transparent system and allows us easily to grade accurately ACT players for tournaments and rank the top players in each age group.
To browse junior pennant results and matrix scores:
- go to the Squash Matrix link on the Home page,
- select ACT Juniors,
- then (from the menus at the top) select ACT Juniors (for the Order of Merit), club, division, team or players for more detailed information.
Rankings
ACT junior rankings (featuring the top 10 players in each age group) are published four times each year:
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ACT rankings are based primarily on player Matrix scores
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ACT rankings contribute to national rankings, also published four times each year.
Junior Player Development
All clubs conduct weekly junior practice sessions, at which pennant players are expected to participate to develop their squash skills. Most sessions are supervised by accredited coaches. For practice times, contact you local club.
Squash ACT encourages junior players to seek additional coaching to assist player development. Information on accredited coaches can be found at the Coaches link on this Website or contact the club representatives.
Squash ACT encourages participation in junior tournaments, especially those in the ACT, Sydney and regional NSW (mostly within 3 hours drive from Canberra). They are an excellent way of meeting new friends and developing squash skills. As well as age championships, graded tournaments ensure juniors play against others of similar ability.
Elite Squad
Squash ACT manages an Elite Squad which comprises the best players in 13, 15 and 17 age groups. The squad forms the basis of ACT representative teams at major tournaments and trains on Sundays under the supervision of the ACT Junior Squash Head Coach and assistant coaches.
Representative Teams
The ACT contributes and sponsors teams to participate in several important annual tournaments, in particular the:
These events typically involve under 13, under 15 and under 17 teams for boys and girls (some have under 11 or under 19 events as well).
Clubs / Courts
See the Clubs page for club contact details.
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