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Revolutionary outdoor court to make
Squash more accessible to hundreds of Birmingham pupils
A new innovative outdoor squash court has been officially unveiled today
at King Solomon International Business School in Birmingham which aims
to build on the excitement of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and
introduce the sport of squash to potentially thousands of young people.
World No.5 squash player Sarah-Jane Perry and Perry the Bull – the
official Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games mascot - opened the court
alongside England Squash CEO, Mark Williams and Founder of the school,
Dr Cheron Byfield.
 Funded
by England Squash, the new court is the latest in a series of
initiatives by Squash United, the collaborative group leading the squash
legacy programme which is an official project of United by Birmingham
2022, the community programme for the Commonwealth Games.
More than 600 pupils at the school will benefit from the new court,
which will help to improve physical and mental wellbeing both in
curriculum time and outside of school hours. 12 pupils and eight
teachers have received Squash Activator training so that they can help
deliver squash sessions to their peers.
Mark Williams, CEO at England Squash said: “We are so proud to be part
of Squash United and to have funded this amazing new court, which we
hope will inspire a new generation of players to develop a lifelong love
of squash.
 “It’s
a hugely exciting year for squash as we look to build on the excitement
around the Commonwealth Games to make the game more accessible than
ever.
“This revolutionary outdoor court concept could be a game changer for
school squash, and we would love to see more being installed up and down
the country to help engage young people in our game.”
Ming Lee, founder of Squash United said: “We are delighted to be
creating new sporting opportunities at King Solomon International
Business School and a tangible Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
legacy. It’s wonderful to give Birmingham children a Game’s experience
and ignite dreams of being a future squash star like Birmingham-born
Sarah-Jane Perry!
“This amazing playground squash court has been designed to be flexible
and scalable as part of a coordinated programme to create a squash
culture in schools and a pathway into clubs across the country.
“Making squash visible, accessible and appealing to young people is
vital to our mission of having more people playing squash after
Birmingham 2022 than before COVID-19.”
Dr Cheron Byfield, the Founder of the school said: "I am delighted that
the children at King Solomon International Business School will have the
opportunity to play and learn this exciting sport.
“Thank you to the Parent School Partnership and everyone who brought
this project together. This innovative yet bespoke mini squash court
really is a thing of beauty. I should also like to thank England Squash
for donating the funds to make it a reality and Squash United for
training our Sixth formers and teachers to be Squash Activators for the
school children. This is a wonderful legacy of the Birmingham 2022
Commonwealth Games, and our children and the community will enjoy it for
many years to come."
John Crabtree, Chairman of Birmingham 2022, said: “It is wonderful to
see this great concept of introducing squash courts to new spaces and
communities in Birmingham come to life.
“The court will be a unique addition to the playground at this school,
enabling greater participation within the sport and a chance for some
young people to play squash for the very first time.
“As a permanent feature at the school, the court will be a great
long-lasting benefit linked to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,
raising the profile of one of our sports and allowing more local
youngsters to engage with this exciting sport.”
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