U.S. SQUASH To Provide Direct Support Network To Pros

As a result of ongoing discussions with groups of teaching pros and coaches over the last several years, U.S. SQUASH will officially launch the Squash Professionals Affiliate (SPA) program on July 1, 2008. The program will address the needs expressed to U.S. SQUASH by squash professionals nationwide.

SPA will offer U.S. SQUASH and professionals a forum to work collectively to grow the sport by providing a range of valuable benefits to squash professionals at no cost, while supporting U.S. SQUASH initiatives to drive growth in the game. With U.S. SQUASH focused on three main strategic priorities: growing membership, building awareness and increasing participation, this program is positioned at the center of the tactics the Association will employ to achieve three-year goals, one of which is a 100% increase in membership, to 20,000.

With the dictionary definition of affiliate being "combine organizations: ..., into a close relationship with another", SPA seeks to do just that by offering these benefits to teaching pros and coaches in the U.S.:

• Personal liability insurance coverage for coaching activities
• Secondary medical insurance coverage for coaching activities and access to a pre-screened, preferred network of health insurance providers by state
• Eligiblity for U.S. SQUASH Membership Incentives, which are a % of dues paid semi-annually - up to $2,500 per year to a pro
• Discounted tournament sanctioning fees and use of internet-based software for online tournament entry
• Free registration to the Annual U.S. SQUASH Professional Development Conference (formerly the "Coaching Conference")
• Opportunity to sell U.S. SQUASH merchandise and co-brand in pro shop
• Eligible for Annual U.S. SQUASH Top Professionals List, Rookie of the Year, Most Respected Professional, and Lifetime Achievement Award's.
• Access to the U.S. SQUASH "Job Network" and "Professional Practices"- an online collection of best practices for coaches and pros
• Regionally-focused professional mentoring, support and advocacy for professional development at clubs

The requirements of squash pros and coaches to be an Affiliate are modest and include:

• Apply for Affiliate status and pass the National Center For Safety Initiatives background check (nominal cost to applicant)
• Maintain a current U.S. SQUASH membership
• Level I or higher U.S. SQUASH Certified Coach
• Club Level (D) or higher U.S. SQUASH Certified Referee
• Teach/coach a minimum of 25% time at current U.S. SQUASH Member Club/Facility
• Display U.S. SQUASH promotional materials in the facility as appropriate
• Host a Club Championship annually, which qualifies players for the U.S. Regional Championship Series tournaments and the new U.S. Club Squash Championships
• Measure and report the total number of squash participants at club on annual basis

This fall, to accelerate the growth of the network, U.S. SQUASH will offer Level 1 "mini-courses" with reduced content, as well as offer the Club Level Referee Certification test online.  Pros and coaches should contact Conor O'Malley at U.S. SQUASH, 212-269-4090, for more information leading up to the program launch.