And David Evans, the former World No 3 and British Open champion, involved with the Jersey Squash Club for the past three years, is now a full time development officer for Island squash.
The Bedell Group, already sponsors of the local leagues, is supporting a new, wide-ranging initiative to increase the profile and raise the standards of squash with the aim of helping the Jersey Squash Racquets Association take the sport to the next level.
At the heart of the initiative is an extensive, inclusive calendar of events with the aim to instruct and inspire.
This takes in new tournaments, junior and senior elite squad training, development events for grass-root players, Open-day taster sessions in schools, coach and referee education, exhibitions from world-class players, masters events, corporate challenges, development sessions for ladies squash, visiting team events and Jersey team participation at events in the UK and Europe.
This further builds on the work done since the appointment of Evans three years, since when the sport has enjoyed a significant resurgence.
Steve Law, president of JSRA, said: ‘The development programme set up by Jersey Squash, with tremendous support from ESC and the Jersey Squash Club, has already been a great success with more people playing.
The groundwork has been laid.
We now need to build on this with a more aggressive, professional and full-time programme.
‘Squash has a proud history in the Channel Islands but Jersey has fallen behind Guernsey in terms of player numbers.
‘Our aims are simple.
Get more people to try squash, get past players to return to the sport and fulfil the potential of the many talented players we already have with a view to producing squash champions of the future.
‘We are extremely lucky to have the talents of a player and coach of the calibre of David Evans.
In our sport this is the equivalent of having a Roger Federer or David Beckham working with our players!’ Peter Byrne, partner at Bedell Group comments: ‘It is becoming increasingly popular, both globally and in Jersey, and this initiative gives even more people the chance to get involved at all levels.
Jersey has a strong tradition in the squash world, and we’re very pleased to help in supporting its future.’ ‘I’m delighted that Bedell Group have committed to the ongoing development of squash in Jersey,’ says Derek de la Haye, of ESC.
David Evans has done an excellent job in a part-time capacity and I am sure he will have an even greater impact now that he is full-time.
We will continue to support this development work and I look forward to a successful period over the years to come.’
