News and Updates - 1/31/23
Hello from Massachusetts Squash! Here\'s the latest on all things squash related in the Boston area.
WINTER WEEKEND AT SQUASHWEST 2/11-2/12
The inaugural Dual County High School Squash League has officially launched between Cocnord-Carlisle and Acton-Boxborough+. With players ranging from grades 8 through 12, these coed teams are currently practicing 3 times per week in preparation for the 10 scheduled season matches against teams from Brookline, Boston, Lowell, Needham, and more. Coaching these teams will be world-class international squash pros Paul Ansdell (CC) and Gary Gargan (AB/LS), each of whom brings with them a wealth of experience from years of coaching across various levels of organized squash.
During the weekend of Feb. 11 and 12, SquashWest will be hosting three events, starting on Saturday Feb. 11 with a celebration of both of our high school squash teams’ winter seasons. Stop by between 1-5pm on either day to see the 34 high school players from two public high schools play, led by Gary (AB) and Paul (CC). Acton-Boxborough is proud to have finished their first season as a Public High School team, while Concord-Carlisle completes their first season since the program paused during the pandemic.
Feel free to stay for the Superbowl watch party after the game play on Sunday. Food will be provided.
Click here for more information and to follow the teams' progress.
NEW SQUASH CLUB IN BOSTON!
Exciting news for 2023, LearnSquash has partnered with SquashBusters and Northeastern University to open a squash club in 2023. The club will be called the LearnSquash Community Club at SquashBusters (LCC at SqB for short) and will be located at 795 Columbus Ave in Boston. The club will offer both regular monthly memberships as well as pay to play memberships.

For membership information, have a look at the website, www.learnsquash.com and/or contact 
Cliff Wenn at - info@learnsquash.com. 
CURRENT LEAGUE STANDINGS
Most of the 9 league divisions are just beyond the halfway mark in league play. Competitive juices are beginning to heat up, and with ref exam points getting awarded in a week, the teams advancing to playoffs can easily shift. The standings are particularly close in the open 4.0 and open 4.5 where the top FIVE teams are within 12% win max. Here are the top two contenders in each division as of January 22, 2023:
  • O6.0+ Harvard/Murr, University Club
  • O5.0+ Cross Courts, T&R
  • O4.5  Union Boat Club, T&R
  • O4.0  Union Boat Club, Cambridge Athletic
  • O3.5   Lifetime Metrowest, Maugus
  • O3.0  Union Boat Club, Equinox
  • O50+  Lifetime Metrowest, Maugus
  • W2.5/3.5  Squashbusters, Cambridge Athletic
  • W4.0  Sue's Sharks, Jimena's Hotshot

*For the full list of standings in each division:  https://clublocker.com/leagues/1336/home
We hope everyone is giving some thought to either having the division winning teams, or an ALLSTAR team from your division, your club, or even a team of best buds compete in the USQ National Teams Tournament at the Specter Center in Philadelphia April 28-30. Viewing of the elite players' finals on US National Squash Teams is part of the fun (Thursday/Friday nights). Players' ratings will be averaged for seeding purposes, so you can easily create teams that include a combo of 3.5 and 4.5 or even 6.0 rated players. Check it out here!  
UPCOMING JUNIOR ROUND ROBIN: 2/26
Deven Kanwal, James Andrew, Fernanda Rocha (Argentina - University Club professional), Tarin Karimbaux, Max Silverman, Ishaan George
The next MASQUASH Junior Round Robin program will be held on February 26th
Please visit our updated posting on the MASQUASH website for details on registration, dates, times, revised sign-up procedure, etc.
TOURNAMENTS
2023 Mass State Hardball Doubles Tournament Sign-Up is Underway!
This years' tournament will take place from March 1-May 8. Divisions are as follows:
  • Open
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • 50+
  • 60+
  • Century
  • Mixed
  • Women's Open
  • Women's B (sign up only at UClub or by email: squash@uclub.org)
  • Parent-Child
  • Siblings

This is a self-scheduled tournament that will culminate with finals being played on May 8th at The University Club. Although there is no entry fee, remember you need to be a member of US Squash/Mass Squash to enter (exception is Women's B draw for which you need to contact the University Club Pro Shop). Deadline to enter is on February 22, 2023.
 
LESSONS & CLINICS
Dover Squash is offering Summer clinics for juniors of all levels starting in June.
All sessions will run from 9am - 12pm
Session 1: June 19-23
Session 2: June 26-30
Session 3: July 10-14
Session 4: July 17-21
Session 5: August 7-11
Session 6: August 21-25
The camp will feature 1 coach per court for more individual attention, target match play and group training culminating with with a tournament at the end of each week.
for more information email Khaled@doversquash.com
The Dexter Southfield School is offering competitive and development junior squash clinics on Thursdays and Saturdays during the spring Program info and pricing can be found HERE. Please reach out to the squash director, Dan Roberts, with any additional questions.
Junior Squash Clinics are available at Milton Academy on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-7 pm. Beginner to intermediate level and typically lower/middle school age. Private lessons are available as well. For further information contact Morgan Poor.
LearnSquash programs:

Junior Clinics:
Sundays 
  • 9:00-10:00am: Beginner to Intermediate Clinic, ages 6-9yrs
  • 9:00-10:00am: Starter/Beginner Clinic (NEW), ages 10-18yrs
  • 10:00-11:00am: Beginner to Advanced Beginner Clinic, ages 10-18yrs
  • 11:00-12:00pm: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate Clinic, ages 10-18yrs
  • 12:00-1:00pm: (NEW) Intermediate+ , ages 10-18yrs
  • 1:00-2:00pm: (NEW) Adults Beginner to Intermediate, ages 18+

Private or Semi-private lessons (Adults & Juniors, 45 min slots)
  • Saturdays - 11:15am-5:30pm

Email us to inquire about booking a lesson. There is currently a waitlist for private lessons.
Squash Journey—lessons & clinics at Tufts University

Are you looking to balance mental & physical well-being in squash? Tufts University’s new assistant coach Alex Grayson is offering group clinics for intermediate to advanced level juniors are now available on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30-8:30pm. Using the new 8 court facility on campus in Somerville/Medford, lessons and clinics will build a range of skills from mindfulness, mobility, and technique, to conditioning, recovery, and performance analysis. For more information, check out squashjourney.com or email Alex with any questions.
Individual lessons are also available for all levels.
Squash Clinics at NTA/Cross Courts Squash & Fitness

Spring clinics are underway at the Nick Taylor Academy for juniors of all levels. *Note that Membership to Cross Courts Squash & Fitness is required to sign up for these sessions.

Private lessons are also available to all levels of players, whether you’re new to the game or want to take your game to the next level.
For more information, check out their program page here.
Led by Harvard Varsity Coaches, Next Step Squash continues to offer junior clinics for the Spring.
ALL LEVELS: Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:15pm.
NEW FROM MARCH - MAY: Afternoon Round Robins; Mon, Tues & Thurs 3:30-4:30pm. All levels welcome.

Please email Luke for more information.
Don't Forget to Add Your Vaccination Status to Your US Squash Profile!
Follow us on Instagram @mass_squash!
Know anyone who may want to sign up for our newsletter? These are free and membership in MA/US Squash is not required. We use the SafeUnsubscribe service and don't share our list. Please have them sign up on the left hand of our website. 

Is your mailing address current with US Squash? If not, you may be missing out on Squash Magazine. Log in to your account and update your address today!

Have any news? Please share it with us!