Ackworth SchoolSquash Academy

“If you can inspire a kid to pick up a racket and play,that’s really what it’s all about”

James Willstrop

Anton Maree

Iam extremely pleased to beable to offer youngsters thisoutstanding opportunity to

achieve their personal bestunder the world class coachingat Pontefract Squash Club, andI am convinced that AckworthSquash Academy will join ourTable Tennis and FootballAcademies in achieving furthersports excellence on a nationallevel.

Ackworth School has developed an exceptionaltradition of sporting excellence in both girls’ andboys’ games in recent years. We have achievedthis through vigorous discipline, excellentcoaching, investment in facilities and with amarked regard to flexibility in the curriculum.Many pupils represent the school, Yorkshire andEngland at county and national level and severalhave continued to excel on the world stage

Squash is more than a leisure activity; it offers aprospective career for promising youngsters toaspire. There is however, no point in aspiring to acareer of mediocrity, and in the challenging worldof modern-day professional sport, eliteperformance is the benchmark for success,satisfaction and fulfilling one’s potential. We willbe the ones to nurture and build talent to the nextlevel of superb athletic skill that we have alreadyachieved in other sports.

The Ackworth School Squash Academy providesthe environment in which players can train anddevelop, to attain excellence in performance whileaccessing a first-class education in a school thathas a high regard for traditional values like truth,equality and peace. The Academy adds to thestrong performance of our existing Table Tennisand Football Academies at the school which havehelped to develop exceptional athletes.

Ackworth School is proud to work alongsidePontefract Squash Club whose ethos aligns withthat of the school. The Club has produced anumber of world-ranked players in addition toestablishing a sound platform for younger playersnew to the sport as well as encouraging highacademic and behavourial standards.

Ackworth School, which offers excellent facilities,is set in beautiful grounds in the village ofAckworth and enjoys access to nearby towns andcities such as York, Leeds, Harrogate andWakefield. Manchester Airport is just over onehour away.

Anton Maree, Head

Head’s introduction

Our HistoryAckworth School was founded in

1779 by John Fothergill on behalf ofThe Religious Society of Friends

(Quakers) and the School Committee (orBoard of Governors) remainsaccountable to this body. The schoolwas established for Quaker boys andgirls and the Quaker Christian ethos,with its emphasis on quiet reflectionand the search for God within oneselfand within others, lies at the heart ofthe school.

Periods of reflective silence form part ofeach day, for example during MorningMeeting and before meals, and eachThursday there is a short silent Meeting forWorship for the whole School. On Sundaymorning boarders attend Quaker Meetingfor Worship unless they wish to attend

another place of worship. The importanceof respect for others and honesty at alltimes emphasised by the Quaker ethoshelps to produce a calm, friendlyatmosphere which is supportive andreassuring for young people.

The majority of pupils are from non-Quakerfamilies and about 10% come from othercountries. Indeed, the international natureof the School, especially in the Sixth Form,is one of its distinctive features. As in anysuch community there has to be a cleardisciplinary framework and ourexpectations are high. Ackworth pupilsrespond well to this and to theopportunities provided for assumingresponsibilities, within the boarding housesand on the School Council.

3Ackworth School Squash Academy

Ackworth prides itself on the wide rangeof sports accessible to the students inboth Junior and Senior School. Sports

and physical and mental well-being are veryimportant to today’s students, providingthem with a positive foundation for theiracademic work. Sport develops self-discipline,practice and preparation, teamwork,goalsetting, success and failure, andresilience.

Ackworth School has the full range of facilitiesavailable to rival any academy. With indoor andoutdoor all weather training surfaces, Ackworthhas what our students need to be on the ball.

Our facilities include squash courts, a fully-fledged large-scale sports hall, gymnasticfacilities, all weather astro pitch, a fitness suiteand a heated indoor swimming pool. Studentscan enjoy a wealth of opportunities to supporttheir physical development.

Set in the open countryside, Ackworth offers aclean, safe and open environment with theopportunity to use the sports tracks for running,to engage in countryside walking and take part inteambuilding exercises.

By utilising our facilities, Squash Academymembers can practise aerobic endurance as wellas building strength and stamina, which can helpalleviate the stress on the body’s muscles andjoints and help prevent squash injuries.

SchoolFacilities

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4 Ackworth School Squash Academy

Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club enjoysan unrivalled international reputation,and is home to a wealth of world class

players. It is a friendly community club, whichwelcomes players of all standards, age groupsand abilities. It boasts an array of excellentfacilities, including 8 squash courts, 5 of whichare glass backed, with viewing available onevery court. The club also offers a full annualprogramme of social activities. It is aninclusive club, which facilitates disabledaccess to squash and offers coaching to thosewho have an hearing impairments.

Malcolm Willstrop, head coach, runs a first classcoaching programme with his team of highlytrained staff, extending the opportunities to learnand improve squash for both juniors and adults.

The club is also home to Lee Beachill, three timesBritish Champion and James Willstrop, formerWorld No.1, former World Junior No.1 andCommonwealth Gold Medalist (2018).

It proudly promotes an open door policy, whichmeans that players of any ability can be part ofthe club’s success. Pontefract Squash and LeisureClub has an unprecedented number of adults andjuniors who have successfully represented theircountry at international level.

The club is officially recognised as a Centre ofExcellence and one of the select few which havebeen awarded Gold Charter status by the sport’sgoverning body, England Squash.

Furthermore, it is one of only 12 clubs in the UK tohave a team in the Premier Squash League(National League). It is well represented in theYorkshire and Leeds Metro Leagues and has itsown internal team. There are a wealth ofopportunities to play competitive squash at alllevels, as well as the abundance of social squashthat is enjoyed by the majority of its members.

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Ackworth School Squash Academy

Pontefract Squash& Leisure Club

EnglandSquashConsultant

Nothing inspires youngsters more thansportsmen and women who haveachieved great things, and Pontefract

Squash Club has been blessed having twoplayers who have been ranked 1 in the worldin a sport played in almost 200 countries. LeeBeachill, World No.1 and twice CommonwealthGames Gold Medalist, set the standard and hewas followed by James Willstrop, World No.1,Gold medalist and three times CommonwealthSilver medalist and two Bronze.

Not only did they set the standards of play, but ofbehaviour and modesty, since it is hard to imaginetwo more unassuming characters. Lee has goneon to become COO of PSA, the squashprofessional body, and James, whilst stillcompeting, has enjoyed success as the author of‘Shot and a Ghost’ and as an actor.

So Pontefract has profited, as has AckworthSchool, where James was a pupil, and where most

of the club’s most talented junior players arecurrent pupils.

A professional career beckons for Ackworthstudent, Sam Todd, who has won the British JuniorOpen U13 from an international field. He becamethe first English male winner since James Willstrop,14 years previously. Sam has also won the BritishJunior Open U15 in January 2018.

Juniors at the club are encouraged from the age of3 and 4 and many products of the system havealready benefited from the educationalopportunities of Ackworth School.

But it is not just about the playing achievements, itis about behavioural standards. Squash has beenvoted the ‘healthiest’ sport in the world by ForbesMagazine in the USA. One thing for sure is that it isthe most social, since whatever standard,wherever life leads, there will always be theopportunity to make friends.

MalcolmWillstrop

Pontefract Squash Club Head Coach, Level 4

"Play squash. Make friends."

The coaching at Pontefract Squash andLeisure Club is under the direction ofinternationally - recognised and world

leading squash coach Malcolm Willstrop.

Along with his team of highly trained coaches, thesquash club offers a systematic and sequentialsquash programme, which presents all playerswith the opportunity to cultivate their game toreach their fullest potential. Training sessions areplanned to encourage individuals to develop awide range of racket skills, including hand-eyecoordination, gross motor skills, strength andbalance. There are many opportunities to buildtechnique through group training, match play andvarious club competitions. Feedback is providedto ensure future improvement and development.

Standards of behaviour and professional conductare incredibly high. Squash coaches promote

positive social interactions between all the playersto support self-confidence and a sense of teamspirit, whilst playing in a fun and relaxedenvironment.

Players, like students at Ackworth School, areexpected to lead by example and although squashis a competitive sport, individuals are encouragedto support one and another and not to solelyfocus on the outcome of a game. Emphasis isplaced on working towards realistic andmanageable goals, whilst enjoying the game.

CEO of Pontefract Squash & Leisure ClubMick Todd

Coaching

Ihave been involved with the club for nearly40 years. During this period I have had theprivilege of managing many world class

players, such as James Willstrop (ENG), RamyAshour (EGY), Saurav Ghosal (IND) & LauraMassaro (ENG).

Pontefract Squash Club has partnered withAckworth School since James Willstrop, currentCommonwealth Gold medalist, attended over 20years ago. We have many aspiring and successfulsquash players who study at Ackworth Schoolwho are members of the Pontefract & WillstropAcademy. Many of our players have reachedNational School Championships level.

Both Ackworth School and Pontefract SquashClub work in close partnership to promote highacademic standards along with unrivalledsporting achievements.

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“Positivity is the key, believe in your own abilities, work hard and commit to achieve your goals.”

Jam

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Lee

Beac

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Former Mens World No. 1

Ispent ten years at Ackworth School andlook back on the years fondly. I found earlyon that I was specialising at something I

loved, squash, becoming quite serious aboutit, and from early on I began to harbourambitions of being a professional squashplayer.

That said, I really needed Ackworth to balanceout the effort I was putting in to squash andas I look back now moving towards the end ofmy career, I can see how much it gave me. Itwas an environment where I developed longterm friendships which I now treasure, anenvironment where I could study and playother sports, and be introduced to a range of

activities. I knew I couldn’t just play solelysquash all day long, but on the other hand asI got older I knew I wanted to focus on it.

The environment at Ackworth gave me theroom to pursue what I wanted outside of theschool to the fullest degree, and yet to balancethat with a broader learning atmosphere,without any pressure.

It’s really important that anyone whospecialises early like I did keeps motivated bydoing other things and having a life away fromit. I’m not sure how many schools areaccepting of this. Ackworth school certainlywas and it gave me that outlet and I’ll alwaysbe very grateful for it.

Although not a former pupil of Ackworthschool, I know the invaluable influence ithas had on James, not just as a professional

squash player but as a person. He speaksextremely fondly of his time at Ackworth andhow supportive the school was of his thenburgeoning career.

As a former professional squash player, Pontefractsquash club and particularly head coach MalcolmWillstrop had a profound effect on my own career.My last few years on the tour were my mostenjoyable and that was largely down to becoming partof the Ponte family.

The close relationship between Ackworth andPontefract squash club has already provensuccessful both for the school and the youngsquash players now in attendance.

The principles that Malcolm instills in hisplayers will serve them well both in lifeand on the squash court and will only bestrengthened by the association with aschool like Ackworth.

For any aspiring athlete finding theright balance between education,their sport or discipline of choiceand the ability to try many other

activities is more important than ever.

In my opinion, Ackworth School offers thisbalance and does so in a very supportive

manner, offering so many differentactivities and providing an excellent

education in such a beautiful setting, whilstalways appreciating the needs and sacrifices

needed to perform at the highest level.

Former Ladies World No. 1

“Perseverance wins. Stick to what you believein and see it through to completion.”

“Choosing to play squash was the bestdecision I ever made. It’s been the most

wonderful gift and I urge anyyoungsters considering it to just pick up

a racket. Trust me, you won’t regret it!”

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VanessaAtkinson

Ackworth School Squash Academy

Former Mens World No. 1

“I am extremely lucky to be a pupil studying at Ackworth School because notonly has it enabled me to excel academically, it has also supported my squash

development with the world-class coaching I receive at Pontefract Squash Club.”

"I started at Ackworth Schoolin Year 6 in Coram House.The school has an amazingatmosphere and all the staffare very helpful and friendly.I am very happy to receivemy squash training with theworld class coach MalcolmWillstrop. Ackworth Schoolgives me the flexibility to

improve my squash. I feel very lucky to be a studentthere."

"It is a greatopportunity tobe a pupil atAckworthSchool. Theschool worksvery closely withPontefractSquash Club,which hasregular lessons through the weekafter school. Ackworth School is veryunderstanding about my squash andthey allow me to take time out ofgames lessons so that I can continueto complete my studies to the level Iaim to achieve."

“Being a student atAckworth School hasgiven me so many greatopportunities. It hasn’tjust helped me to exceed expectationsacademically, they have supported metremendously so I can continue to pursue thesport I love. As they give me the flexibility to beable to carry on having world-class coaching atPontefract Squash Club and travel the worldplaying squash, they also give me the help andassistance to keep up with all my school work.”

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Ben Beachill

"It’s a privilege to be at Ackworth School. Not only is theeducation great, the fantastic support they have given mehas helped me achieve the best I can in squash. This hasenabled me to win two British Open titles and to beselected for the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires."

Asia Harris“I started Ackworth in Year 5. From the very first day I arrived, I was warmlywelcomed and very quickly made lots of friends. We are still good friends tothis day. I enjoy most lessons, my favourites are Maths, Biology, Drama andPE. The teachers are very down to earth, helpful and friendly. I really enjoyschool life. Ackworth has given me a great opportunity for life and I reallyappreciate what the staff at Ackworth School have given me.”

Layla Johnson

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Oliver Foster

“Ackworth School isnot just a school buta life experience! It’sfantastic in providingopportunities for meto do what I loveacademically, as wellas all my extra-curricular interests –like squash,basketball, drama, football, tennis, thegym, swimming and cricket. The school isoutstanding in supporting my squashdevelopment in all aspects – letting me totake time out of school for training, traveland tournaments. Ackworth School givesme the best support at whatever I want toachieve – and is a great fun place to be.”

Harry Anderson

“I’m quite lucky to be in such agreat school, they understandabout me playing squash andhelp meexcel in it byletting mehave timeoff, when Ineed it, butthey makesure I keepup with allof mysubjects!”

JordanStewart

Sam Todd

"It is a great opportunity to have such a fantasticeducation and a world class coach so close together.The school is so flexible, which allows me to train andkeep up with tournaments all around England, whilst

balancing my school work."

“I lived at Ackworth for oneyear attending theAckworth School, but alsotrained at the PontefractSquash Club. I have livedin the United States mywhole life and when Iwent to Ackworth it waseasy for me to integratewith the community. This was,in part, due to the students, butalso the teachers and staff. The school itselfwas flexible when it came to my trainingschedule. I found this very helpful during mystay because the teachers would understandthe amount of work I missed and wereencouraging and helpful when I needed tocatch up. Ackworth School isn’t just anexcellent school, but a caring community ofpeople.”

Akashdeep SinghNahal

Millen Randell

AmberCopley

Our Philosophy

SquashDevelopment

Squash is a global game. It is anindoor racquet activity, which canbe enjoyed throughout the year. It

is played in a four-walled court andrequires two or four players, a squashracket and a small hollow rubber ball.

Squash is a fast paced sport which providesan excellent cardiovascular workout. Thegame can be played at any age and abilitywith the right level of coaching.

There are many health benefits to playingsquash. The variety of movementsperformed during the game, such aslunging, twisting and running helps withphysical development, such as strengthand fitness. Playing squash can increaseagility, flexibility and it can improve thetone of the arms, legs and strengthening in

the back. The constant focus on the balldevelops hand-eye coordination.

Squash aids social and emotionaldevelopment. With the correct support andcoaching, it can promote self-confidenceand help create a sense accomplishment.This can be achieved regardless of theoutcome of a game. Taking part andplaying to the best of the player’s abilitycan boost self-esteem and help reducestress, which can improve general andpsychological wellbeing.

Squash provides an excellent opportunityto make new friends who share a commoninterest, as other players need toparticipate to play the game. This canprovide an ideal opportunity to developcommunication and other vital social skills

Sam ToddU11 English ChampionU13 English ChampionU15 English ChampionU13 British ChampionU15 British ChampionU13 British Open ChampionU15 British Open ChampionU13 Dutch Open ChampionU13 US Open ChampionU15 US Open ChampionU17 German Open Champion

Asia HarrisU15 Represented England 5 NationsU15 English Ranking No.2 (June 2018)U15/U19 Represented Ackworth SchoolU15 Czech championU13 English Highest Ranking No.1U13 Scottish ChampionU13 Irish ChampionU13 Welsh ChampionU11 English Highest Ranking No.1U11/ U13/U15 Represented Yorkshire

Akashdeep Singh NahalU13 English Ranking No.42 (June 2018)U11 English Highest Ranked No.9U13 Represented YorkshireU13 Represented Ackworth School

Jaspreet Kaur NahalU13 English RankingNo.36 (June 2018U11 English Ranking No.8 (June 2018)U17/U15 Represented Ackworth SchoolU11 Represented Yorkshire

Layla JohnsonU15 English Ranking No.8 (June 2018)

U19/U15 Represented Ackworth SchoolU15/U13/ U11 Represented YorkshireU15 Newcastle Silver Champion (June2018)U13 English No.3U11 English No.1U11 Yorkshire ChampionU13 French Junior Open 4th (2017)

Ben BeachillU15 English Ranking No.7 (June 2018)U13 English 5 Nations Champion(2016/17)U11/U13/U15 Represented YorkshireU19/U15 Ackworth School ChampionsU13 English No.2U11 English No.1English Junior ChampionYorkshire Closed Champion (X3)

Amber CopleyU17 English Ranking No.8 (June 2018)U15 English No.4U13 English No.4U15 French Junior Open Champion(2017)U13/U15/17 Represented YorkshireU15/17/19 Represented Ackworth SchoolU15 Hull Silver Champion (2016)

Jordan StewartU15 Yorkshire Ranking No.2 (June 2018)U17/15 Represented YorkshireU19/U17/U15 Ackworth SchoolChampionU15 Yorkshire Junior Close ChampionU15 West Yorkshire Junior OpenChampionU15 Inter-counties Champion

Win

ning

Stud

ents

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12 Ackworth School Squash Academy

• Enjoy the sport - Individuals do better when they takepleasure in playing the game

• Perseverance and hard work - A commitment to the sportand ongoing learning

• Improve technique - Setting and meeting goals throughmentoring

• Self esteem - Building confidence through teamwork andpeer support

• Exceeding expectations - Recognising progress with apositive attitude

Squa

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Test

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Ramy Ashour (EGY)“My experience in Pontefract club has been amazing. Ihave always felt at home and welcome there. It was anhonour being around Malcolm Willstrop during the shortperiods I visited the club and I have benefited from hisexpertise and listened to his experiences in the squashworld. Hopefully I will be back to visit again soon.”

Sarah Fitzgerald (AUS)“Pontefract Squash & Leisure Club is one of a kind. Ihave been to so many squash clubs around the world,but I haven’t come across one as vibrant as this one!Malcolm Willstrop is an institution in himself and thenumber of players who come out of the club is mindboggling. The members are all very welcoming whichmakes the place all the more endearing. I can safely saythat I owe a great deal of my squash success to the

guidance I received from Malcolm Willstrop and the love of all the members. Theclub will always hold a special place in my heart!”

Saurav Ghosal (IND)“I have been to Pontefract a few times in my squashcareer and it’s such a nice club and the people there arereally nice and always welcomed me. It has an excitingvibe and it always felt like it was one big family there atthe club with everyone enjoying themselves.”

Mo Elshorbagy (EGY)“I have been to Pontefract few times in my squashcareer and It’s such a nice club and the people thereare really friendly and always welcomed me. It has anexciting vibe and it always felt like it was one big familythere at the club with everyone enjoying themselves.”

Camille Serme (FRA)“Last Summer I came to Pontefract for the first time totrain with Malcolm. I was made very welcome by everyonefrom the club, the Todd family and their friend Jackie andHarry. It was great to train with a lot of guys, with theirdifferent style of play. Also, there is a very nice gym, it wasreally convenient to warm up and cool down before andafter trainings. Thanks again to Malcolm, James, andeveryone else from there. Great atmosphere and I’d love to come back some day!”

Nicol David (MAS)“Loved playing at Pontefract. The atmosphere andmembers are fantastic and so supportive.”

Paul Coll (NZL)“Pontefract Squash Club: Great place to train, very welcoming relaxed vibe inthe club as soon as you walk in. Multiple world number ones walking aroundthe club which is very inspiring to be close to. Plenty of players around and agreat coach in Malcolm which makes the sessions very enjoyable andknowledgeable at the same time. Highly recommended club, great facility.”

John White (AUS)“Ponty - one of the most professionally run squash clubs in the UK. A greatclub for all ages and gender to improve their squash with coaching or to enjoya fun game of squash socially with friends. A great family atmosphere! Needmore clubs like it around the world.”

Misaki Kobayashi (JPN)“Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club is a great place for squash training with agreat gym set up. Top players are always around which creates greatatmosphere on court and inspiring the youngsters. Also, all the members andstaffs are friendly and approachable. Highly recommend this club.”

Nick Matthew (ENG)“The name Pontefract has become synonymous withthe sport of squash all around the world. Not only has it been a breedingground for many top juniors & world number 1 professional players it hasbeen a must-experience for players all across the globe; be it for a week or asa full-time player. The coaching structure there is clearly one of the best in theworld but the biggest thing I’ve noticed about Pontefract is the sense of familyenvironment which is the envy of many.”

Laura Massaro (ENG)“Pontefract is a hugely welcoming and friendly squash club. Aside from the factthe club is home to one of the country’s top coaches it boasts a fantastic trackrecord with past and current world class Squash players.I personally really enjoy any time I spend training there!”

Peter Nicol (ENG)“Pontefract Squash Club is the example all squashclubs should be following. The squash programming is excellent, from theyoungest of juniors through to the best adult players in the world, all levelsand ages of squash player are welcome and encouraged. The communityaspect is the real differential from my point of view. The club offers the localcommunity a space to come together in a healthy and safe environment tolearn the best sport in the world!”

Amanda Sobhy (USA)“I've only trained at Pontefract Squash Club a few times, but I loved the set upthere. The club has great energy and a ton of players to hit with from alldifferent levels. I always know that whenever I'm in England, I can alwayscome to the club to train with some of the world's top players & coaches. It isdefinitely one of the top world class training clubs out there."

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Ackworth School Pontefract Road,Ackworth, Yorkshire, WF7 7LTTel: +44 (0)1977 611401

Email: admissions@ackworthschool.comwww.ackworthschool.com

M /AckworthSchoolN @ackworth_school

Pontefract Squash and Leisure ClubStuart Road, Pontefract, WF8 4PQ

Tel: +44 (0)1977 793333Email: info@pontesquash.com

www.pontesquash.comM /PontefractSquash

N @pontefract_squash

Bursaries are available. Please contact us for more details.

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