Kilkenny City squash club opens its doors to new members!

The sport of squash is experiencing a renaissance in communities across the country, especially in Kilkenny City.

Just months ago there was a chance the city would lose the club it had supported for decades, but the campaigning committee found the club a new home and now membership is booming.

Kilkenny City Squash Club is delighted to call the courts at St Kieran’s College their new home.
Membership has doubled since the club relaunched, last spring, and the plan is to keep growing.

Chairman of the Club, Liam Hennessy said the new season is underway and they are hoping to attract even more people to the sport - especially young players and women.
On the back of the campaign to save the club, last year, membership grew to its highest level in many years, with returning members and the sports-curious.

The City club has entered into provincial leagues, for the first time in years, including the Leinster League and the Three River League between Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford players.
Now a plan is being put in place to encourage those new players to stay and improve their game, as well as offer new members to improve their squash skills.

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The whole dynamic of the club has changed with the new-member influx, from a majority of experienced players to about an equal three-way division between the experienced, the returning players and brand new squash players. And people of all ages.
That brings its own energy to the club, like a shot in the arm.

Squash can be a quick game, from 30 minutes to a maximum of an hour, and players ‘get a good buzz’ Liam described playing.
The club currently meets on Tuesdays, for female players, and Wednesdays for the mens’ blitz. They are considering holding weekend sessions now too, as well as starting up a junior coaching programme. Attracting junior members is key to securing the long-term future of the club.
Coaching advice is always available to all members.

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Open Nights
Every Wednesday in September will be an open night when new members are welcome to come along, sign up or try out the sport of squash. All you need is to wear trainers and bring a squash racquet if you have one, if not there will be a spare racquet for you to use.

Squash dropped in popularity as a sport in the 90s, but in the last 10 years it has experienced a resurgence. There are four clubs now in North Kilkenny with others in the process of being set up in neighbouring counties, as well as new leagues being created.

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Liam hopes to form links between the Kilkenny City Squash Club and the local GAA clubs, something that used to see a very popular crossover in the GAA off season.

If you would like to try out squash go along to the open nights or get in touch with the club on social media. The courts are located at St Kieran’s College and are open from 6pm. New members are very welcome.