SCHOOL SQUASH

 

ABOUT THE SCHOOL SQUASH PROGRAM

 

In today’s society where “Canada is fatter, less fit” according to the Globe and Mail Article published on January 13th, 2010; Squash Ontario wants your school to introduce the “healthiest sport” of SQUASH to your students. 

With the facts pointing to a decline in overall fitness taking place across all age groups, the most marked were children and young adults.  With that said, approximately a quarter of children are overweight or obese (two-thirds of adults are in the same situation) and that is something we can combat now to not only decrease this number amongst children but for this generation moving forward into adulthood.  In the recent Canadian Health Measures Survey it found that there is a significant deterioration in the body composition of children aged 6 to 19 between 1981 and 2009, regardless of sex and age.  In addition, the strength and flexibility of children has declined significantly as well as an increase in body fat and not greater muscularity. 

The facts are straight forward – we must all work together to help combat obesity – and SQUASH is the answer.  Here is why!!    

 

Benefits Of Squash...

SQUASH offers physical fitness benefits for the mind and body and is a lifestyle sport for all ages.  Cardiovascular fitness, reflexes, concentration, anticipation, discipline and finesse are all improved through participation within the sport of SQUASH. 

In the Forbes Magazine article stating SQUASH is the “healthiest sport, Neal Santelmann states, “…"health" and "fitness" are two different things.  The former has to do with reducing the risk of disease, while the latter is about maximizing the four physiological components of fitness: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility”.

As you can see SQUASH is the most beneficial sport today – in addition to capturing everything above on a physiological basis, SQUASH is also a fun-filled, easy to learn sport that can be played for a lifetime.

 

What Is School Squash...

Provided to assist teachers/physical education professionals, clubs, coaches, etc. with introducing SQUASH to Ontario’s youth.  The overall School Squash Program is made up of three components - EQUIPMENT LOANER PROGRAM, COURTING SCHOOLS PROGRAM, DISCOUNTED EQUIPMENT PROGRAM, ONTARIO HIGH SCHOOL SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS and UNIVERSITY SQUASH PROGRAM.

 



EQUIPMENT LOANER PROGRAM is designed to help schools (Grades 3-12) introduce the sport of SQUASH into their curriculum.  Schools may access a number of resources: equipment, instructors and materials - designed for use within the school gym setting.  For more information on this program CLICK HERE.

 

COURTING SCHOOLS PROGRAM is designed to initiate a partnership between clubs and schools.  The relationship benefits clubs through increased revenues and exposure while the relationship benefits schools through introducing students (Grades 3-12) to the sport of SQUASH within a club setting.  For more information on this program CLICK HERE.

 

DISCOUNTED EQUIPMENT PROGRAM is designed to provide schools with the opportunity to purchase their own school set of squash equipment at a discounted price.  For more information on this program CLICK HERE.

 

ONTARIO HIGH SCHOOL SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS is designed to introduce the sport of SQUASH to new and experienced players through friendly competition between Ontario High Schools.  For more information on this program CLICK HERE.

 

UNIVERSITY SQUASH PROGRAM is designed to provide university students with an opportunity to participate in the sport of SQUASH through competition between schools.  For more information on this program CLICK HERE.

 

 


 

For more information on our programs, important news articles and

upcoming events - please take a moment to register for our Teacher E-News.


MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION, NEWS ARTICLES & LINKS

 

 

2011 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

2011 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card Presentation

 


 

SQUASH ONTARIO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

SPORT4ONTARIO AND BLACK KNIGHT


PRESENTS


SQUASH ONTARIO TEACHER'S DAY


~ Professional Development Day for Toronto Teachers ~


Wednesday September 29, 2010

Mayfair Lakeshore, Toronto

 

Squash Ontario was pleased to partner with Sport4Ontario, Black Knight Canada and Mayfair Lakeshore

in hosting the first ever Teacher's Day.  This professional development opportunity for Toronto area teachers

was a great success.  Teachers learned the basic skills and drills of squash and how to adapt them to a school

gym while receiving free equipment and resources for their schools.

Squash Ontario would also like to thank Patrick Hartunian, Brenda Forbes, Rob Brooks

and Mike Bertin for giving their time to act as instructors for this great event.

 


 

School Squash Equipment Loaner Program

RACQUET/EYEGUARD DONATIONS

Do you have old/used racquets or eyeguards still in good condition

and not being used anymore?  Nowhere to get rid of those racquets or eyeguards?  Than look no further, Squash Ontario is always looking for racquet and eyeguard donations for our School Squash Equipment Loaner Program.

To donate racquets and eyeguards, please contact

Geoffrey Johnson for more information.

 


 

We have been Canada’s premier professional organization for physical

and health educators since its inception as the Canadian Physical Education

Association (CPEA) in 1933. In 1948, it became the Canadian Association for Health,

Physical Education and Recreation (CAHPER), and then the Canadian Association for

Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 1994. The 75th year of service

to the profession saw the Association evolve to become Physical and

Health Education Canada (PHE Canada). READ MORE

 


 

At My Best® is a Free comprehensive curriculum-supported toolkit for children in grades kindergarten to grade three to promote and develop children’s overall wellness. At My Best® combines physical activity, healthy eating and emotional well-being and aims to support children’s optimal physical and emotional development by inspiring and motivating them to make healthier choices today, and develop lifelong healthy habits.

Developed by Physical & Health Education Canada, with generous support from AstraZeneca Canada, At My Best® offers curriculum-based lesson plans along with numerous teaching resources, including classroom posters, task cards, blackline masters, music CD, storybook and take-home materials. READ MORE

 


 

 

Focus

Safe Kids Canada’s mission is to lead and inspire a culture of safety across the

country in order to reduce unintentional injuries, the leading cause of death among children

and youth in Canada. As a national leader, Safe Kids Canada uses a collaborative and innovative

approach to develop partnerships, conduct research, educate and advocate to prevent

serious injuries among children, youth and their families. READ MORE

 


 

Resource of the Month



2010 Ophea & PHE Canada National Conference


The conference provides an opportunity for educators, public health professionals, and other community leaders to increase their knowledge and skills to foster healthy active living for children and youth in their schools and communities.  Delegates will also be presented with creative strategies to support cross-curricular instruction, curriculum implementation, community involvement, and assessment & evaluation, and have access to a wide variety of exhibitors, great resources, and exciting activities.

This year's keynote speaker is Craig Kielburger, founder

and chair of Free The Children and co-founder of Me to We!

For more information or to register,
please visit the conference website

 


 

Article

7 Strategies for Supporting Public Health’s Work in Schools:

An Overview of the Ophea Public Health Support Needs Assessment
 

In many ways, public health and public education make a perfect pair. After all, both institutions share a goal of using education and awareness-building to foster strong, healthy communities. And with Ontario’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health Promotion’s Foundations for a Healthy School Framework calling for an integrated, community-based approach to school health province-wide, there’s never been a better time to build partnerships that will help to ensure today’s children and youth are instilled with healthy habits to last a lifetime.

Read more...

 


 

Article

Coaching Athletes with Asthma: What You Need to Know >>>

 


 

Article

Let 'em be kids: A new report suggests a balance of unstructured

and structured play helps children excel in school >>>

 


 

Article

A New Year, A Revised Curriculum,

A New Way of Looking at Student Health >>>

 


 

Article

Child Obesity >>>

 


 

Squash Canada Skill Awards Program >>>

The Squash Canada Skill Awards Program is intended to:

motivate and reward players, to increase the number of participants in

the game and improve their standard of play while having FUN.