ISEA: Enrichment, Education, Equality

ISEA (Irish Squash and Education Association) is a newly founded youth enrichment non-profit organization that launched its flagship programme ‘Squash Link’ in Ringsend, Dublin 4 on November 2^nd. Squash Link is committed to enhancing the future of underserved children by building life skills through squash, education and extracurricular activities. It is strongly influenced by the urban squash model – flourishing throughout the USA and now firmly established in Canada, Columbia, India and South Africa – by offering a unique mentoring programme, helping students build confidence and learn essential life skills

Squash Link is inspired by a community outreach and engagement initiative first introduced by Trinity Squash in 2012 – a programme which saw the introduction of squash to local inner city children whilst also offering Trinity students coaching qualifications.

Up to 150 local primary and secondary school students will be attending SPORTSCO in Ringsend throughout November and December. SPORTSCO is a leading leisure centre and its facilities include three competition standard squash courts. During this period, Squash Link – a first of its kind in Ireland – will be working very closely with local schools in selecting 12 students to participate. As with any challenging after-school initiative, attrition will be inevitable and therefore 12 reserve places will also be offered. The reserve students will be invited along to training sessions and events throughout the year with the promise of joining the programme at a later date.

All involved with ISEA believe passionately in equality of educational opportunity. Where students lack adequate encouragement, confidence and support from their surrounding social environments, Squash Link is ultimately driven by the goal of giving these children the tools to shine both on and off the court by instilling in them the integrity and character to become caring, active and productive members of their communities as adults.

The question of why children drop out of education is inextricably tied to our knowledge about why children do not learn – explanations which include poverty, low attendance and negative peer influences. Programmes such as Squash Link rely on the value and importance of human connection, on relationships. Everyone involved or wanting to get involved with ISEA passionately embraces the reality that no significant learning occurs without significant relationships and understanding. Squash Link’s edifice is therefore one built on this imperative to understand the needs of underserved children defenselessly at risk of leaving school early.

Get involved

If you want to inspire positive health and lifestyle outcomes, improve levels of socio-emotional responsibility and facilitate character development, life-long learning and leadership skills for the benefit of underserved children, Squash Link would love to hear from you. You can find out more about the programme at www.squashlink.org. ISEA will in due course be offering training and orientation programmes for anyone who would like to consider a commitment to our mission and vision.

We have an outstanding voluntary board of world class squash players, educators and business people all devoting their time and energy to the Squash Link cause. If excited by the prospect of engaging with us, simply get in touch. We are seeking highly motivated students and professionals wanting to be a part of this unique offering.

To register your interest, please email: [email protected].

The Munster Junior Invitational 2015 entry is now open on Tournament Software.
The tournament is for Munster Juniors and will take place on Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 8.

It will take place in Thurles Squash Club. Contact Gerry Connaughton (0872634313) for any queries.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the marathon Squash Cycle around Dublin last weekend. Skerries local paper picked up on the event – and you can read the article here.

ULSTER JUNIOR OPEN 17/18th October Belfast Boat Club, – Results here 

Go to twitter.com/IrishSquash for some pictures.

Sports Capital Grant

Thurles Squash Club were delighted to learn this week that we have received a €35,000 sports capital grant. This grant will greatly assist us in putting in two new World Squash Federation approved standard floors, the introduction of a new LED Lighting System and

Some of our new members pictured here with one of our club coaches Gerry Connaughton at a Beginners Coaching session. There is great potential in this group. A new Squash Beginners Course is starting in November, check out the club Facebook page for more information. From left to right, Gerry Connaughton, Tammy Raven, Tracy Rooney, Lorraine Kelly, Michelle Kelly, Amy O’Brien & John Kennedy. Missing from the photo Orla Darmody.

many other proposed improvements which will cater for our rapidly expanding membership. Thank you to Deputy Micheal Lowry, Minister Alan Kelly, Deputy Noel Coonan and ALL the other public representatives who worked in the background to help secure this wonderful grant award.

Online Booking
Our new online booking system has commenced. Paid members can now book their games from a remote site by logging onto Thurlessquash.com.
Our paper bookings is now obsolete . If you have not yet registered for the new online booking system or paid your membership simply visit Ashling in the Golf Club Office. Office Mon-Fri 10am-5pm or contact a committee member for assistance. Rory (Chairperson) 0866001010, Belinda (Secretary) 0873922797, Gerry (Treasurer) 0872634313

Club Teams
Thurles Squash Club are delighted to be fielding three teams in the upcoming Munster Leagues. Last year we had two teams last year so a third team is a reflection of our thriving club. Last year our Division 4 team won Munster Honours which was the highlight. Thanks to Liam Maher for coordinating this years teams.

We wish the following the best of luck in their upcoming competitions.
Where they are from will give you a sense that the club has members dispersed throughout the county and even Kilkenny.

Division 2
Ciaran Maher (Holycross), Karl McLoughney (Thurles), Kevin Moloney (Golden) (captain), Dara Butler (Loughmore), David Broderick (Thurles)and Tony Maher (Holycross)

Division 3
John O’Donnell (Cashel), Micheal Hassett (Thurles) (captain), Martin Gleeson (Gortnahoe), Pat O’Donnell (Cashel), Darragh O’Donnell (Cashel)

Division 4
Liam Maher (Boherlahan), Luke Tough (Tipperary Town), Gerry Connaughton (Cashel)(captain), Adrian Cleere (Ballingarry) Kieran Slattery (Dundrum) John Cahill (Urlingford) David Corcoran (Thurles) Rory McLoughney (Thurles)

With a record entry of 32 Irish entries in the Nordic Junior Open which took place in Malmo there was some notable success gained. There was 4 semi finalists and 3 finalists. Hannah Craig came 3rd in the Under 17’s beating Emma Fitzsimmons from Scotland 3-0.

Conor Moran had a super battle in the Under 15’s vs Europe No. 1 Victor Byrtus from Czech. Conor had 3 match balls but couldn’t convert them to lose 3-2. Just the bounce of a ball in it.

Ulster Senior Open is now open for entry HERE

Tournament days

Friday, October 23, 2015 to Sunday, October 25, 2015

Leinster Masters Squash Open 2015

You can enter with the Entry Form or on-line Entry HERE

An unprecedented number of Irish juniors will travel to the Nordic Open this weekend.

In total 32 Irish players have entered the event.
Irish Squash are sending national coach, Paul Bell,  to work and support the players. Paul will also be assisted by a mentored Irish coach. Eoin Ryan is also traveling to work with the large number of players from Sutton and seasoned player Dara O’Flynn will also be on hand to assist with the players.

A great weekend of squash and hopefully medals is be in prospect.

Good luck to all.

For the list of players :
http://esf.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/players.aspx?id=88ACEAD7-64C1-4C03-AF5D-28C78ACDB428&c=IRL