SoCal initiative PlayLA featured in US Squash’s Digital Drive

Earlier this month, in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Parks and Recreation and SoCal Squash, US Squash launched a youth squash initiative hosted in outdoor parks. As part of Parks and Rec’s PlayLA initiative, which provides youth of all ages and abilities access to quality sports at neighborhood rec centers and aims to inspire the local community leading up to the LA 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles squash players are now introducing local kids to squash on outdoor handball courts! The program kicked off on November 3 at Chevy Chase Park, and will continue into the foreseeable future.

The PlayLA x Squash initiative allowed US Squash’s Train-a-Trainer program – focused on certifying squash players as Start Squash coaches in one day - to launch its second nationwide effort. On September 17, using outdoor handball courts at Pecan Recreation Center, thirteen local squash players participated in the program and became certified squash instructors, and 7 additional players have joined the group since. As part of their training, they introduced sixteen kids to squash for the first time through drills, mini games, and match play. If interested in becoming trained and participating in PlayLA x Squash, contact squash pro Gus Cook (gcook@jc.org) and come on over to the parks!