Squash & Racketball Club

Introduction & club history

Squash

The squash club has been running successfully at Heriot Watt for at least 10 years. In that time we have a lot of success in University and East of Scotland Competition. The club continues to grow its coaching and training structure, with the help of the Sports Union. The social side of the club is thriving too with regular club night competitions allowing all members the chance to win prizes and frequent social gatherings.

Each year we enter 2 Men’s teams into SSS. Unfortunately in recent years we have been unable to field a Women’s team. In the past our Men’s & Women’s SSS teams have both been crowned SSS Champions. We have also had Men’s & Women’s SSS Individual Champions.

In East of Scotland Competition we field 3 open teams each year. This gives club members the chance to represent the University on a weekly basis. Our 1st team has previously been crowned Division 1 Champions.

The club caters for all types of players from the seasoned professional to those who are just picking up a racket for the first time!

Racketball

In 2010/2011 the squash club decided to expand to include Racketball. This was in line with the activities going on at Scottish Squash to become Scottish Squash & Racketball.

Racketball is a fun, exciting, high calorie burning aerobic work out. It uses a large bouncy ball & rackets with larger heads. Racketball is perfect for those who think squash looks too energetic. Racketball is a sport that is growing rapidly is Scotland so get ahead of the game by joining in the activities at Heriot-Watt.

The Racketball Club runs alongside the Squash Club. There is an easy transition from Racketball to Squash or vice versa. There is no reason why both sports can’t be enjoyed equally.

If you are in a fast paced, hard hitting, sprinting around the court sort of mood then play SQUASH.

If you are in a slow jogging & want to burn lots of calories easily sort of mood but then play racketball.

Coaching

Heriot-Watt Squash & Racketball Club are lucky to have the coaching services of UKCC Level 3 Coach Claire Gray. Claire has been involved in the club for a great number of years. She was involved in the running of the club when she was a student. Once she graduated Claire agreed to stay on at the club as advisor to the Club Committee and became the Squash Coach. Claire is a top class coach who has been involved in coaching for the last 10 years. Claire played at a high level herself, she has represented Scotland on numerous occasions & was Scottish Champion. Since taking a break from playing Claire has become more involved with the Scottish Junior Performance Squads. As you see, Claire is a well qualified coach; Heriot-Watt is lucky to have her so make sure you take advantage of her coaching knowledge during your time here.

We would also like to announce the addition of Phil McWilliams to our coaching staff this year. Phil is a current Level 1 coaching who is in the process of completing his Level 2 qualification. Phil graduated from Heriot Watt this summer and is keen to further his coaching ability, he currently being mentored by Claire so we are confident that our students are in good hands. Phil will be responsible for the Beginner Programme.  

What does a typical season involve?

Trials

All players who would like to get involved in squash at the university should attend a trial session. During the trial session players will play some games against other players so we can assess your ability based on other players we have. This is to allow all players to be placed in appropriate coaching/club night groups. The trials will take place on the Sunday before Week 1. You can sign up to a trial session at the Freshers Fayre.

Social

  • Beginners/Improvers Club Night: Tuesday 6.40 - 8.00pm
  • Development/Team Club Night: Tuesday 8.00 - 9.20pm

The club nights consist of fun competition that allows players to play against other members regardless of their standard. We have regular individual & team tournaments as well as the chance to just come along & play. Players will be assigned a club night to attend based on performance at the trials. Players may move between the 2 sessions depending on tournament & ladder results but only on the say so from the coach. Places are limited therefore it is essential players sign up in advance via the sport centre reception. Players are expected to be at the courts 5 minutes prior to the session start time otherwise they risk their place being given to a reserve player.  

Team training

  • Development coaching: Monday 6.40–8.00pm
  • Team Coaching: Monday 8.00 - 9.20pm
  • Beginner Coaching: Wednesday 2.40 - 4.00pm
  • Racketball: Wednesday 4.00 - 4.40pm 

These sessions are for players who are involved in the club’s competitive ladder & are interested in representing the University in either the East of Scotland Leagues or the SSS competition. These coaching sessions are by invitation only. Players will be assigned a coaching session to attend based on performance at the trials. Players may move between the 2 sessions depending on tournament & ladder results but only on the say so from the coach. Places are limited therefore it is essential players sign up in advance via the sport centre reception. Players are expected to be at the courts 5 minutes prior to the session start time otherwise they risk their place being given to a reserve player.  

Private coaching

UKCC Level 3 Coach Claire Gray is available for group & individual lessons. These should be booked directly through Claire.

Competitions

Intra & Inter Graded Timed Events

This season Heriot-Watt Squash & Racketball have decided to increase the amount of competition available to students both at Heriot-Watt and in Edinburgh. We will be running a series of timed events at Heriot-Watt on a Saturday afternoon. The tournament will involve players taking part in 3 or 4 timed matches over a 4 hour period. All players will then be invited to the Union for a free drink and then onto a social event organised by our social secretaries. There will be an extra cost involved in these events; please see posters in the sport centre for more information.    

Intra events are available to all squash players at Heriot-Watt regardless of their membership type. Inter events are open to all squash players who are members of Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh University or Napier University.  

Players will be ranked in an order of merit depending on their results. At each event players have the opportunity to move up or down the order of merit again based on their results.

SSS Team Competition

This tournament is played in November each year. Teams consist of 5 players and the competition is played over a weekend with each team playing 3 or 4 games. Success in this tournament is required for entry into the BUCS competition in January. We aim to enter 2 Men’s & 1 Women’s team into the SSS Championships each year but this depends on membership. Teams are selected from the Competitive Ropey Ladder.

SSS Individual Competition

This tournament runs in the same way as the team tournament. It is played in February each year. Entry into this competition is up to each individual. If you think you have what it takes then speak to Claire before entering.

East of Scotland League Competition

This is another team event which runs throughout the year from October until March. Teams play at various venues around Edinburgh each week. The league is both competitive & social with the home team providing food & drinks for the away team. Due to this there is an extra cost of around £5 per week for participation in the East Leagues. We aim to enter 3 Open & 1 Women’s team into the leagues but this depends on the membership. Teams are selected from the Competitive Ropey Ladder.

Club Championships

The Squash & Racketball Club Championships are individual competitions open only to club members. The tournament runs from February to April & is a knockout competition. To give every member the chance of success there is more than 1 event ran. The number of events in the Club Championships is dependant on the size of the entry. Players are given a time period in which to organise & play their championship match.

Ropey Ladder

This is an ongoing ladder which is run through the internet. Players are ranked in order of ability but can challenge players above them whenever they like. The ladder gives players the chance to see where they are compared to other club members. The ladder is used to select teams for competition & for seeding the Club Championships.

How to join the club?

Join at the Sport Centre Reception:

  • £10 for Student Members
  • £30 for Non-Student Members
  • Free membership of Scottish Squash & Racketball is included with your club membership
  • Only pay once for both squash and racketball