2007 bursary awardee - Richard Ashby

A level one squash coach, Richard provides mini squash lessons on a group and individual basis to children at the Eastgate Club in Lincoln. Richard has initiated a programme of promoting squash through the provision of free group lessons for mini squash to Junior schools in the Lincoln area in association with the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership and the local Primary Link Teachers, along with England Squash. Children who work with Richard in the Primary Schools are given the opportunity to visit the Eastgate Club where they will receive a free lesson on a full court. They are then offered six months free membership to the club with a view to increasing participation.

Richard has already established an original and innovative programme with the schools, so the Nancy Ovens bursary has provided him with further funding to enable him to improve and sustain his work. Following discussions with England Squash it has been agreed that a mini-squash wall will be provided along with further funds to pay for Richard's Coach Development Pack and cover some of his travel costs/equipment.