Ackworth School

Ackworth School Squash Academy “If you can inspire a kid to pick up a racket and play, that’s really what it’s all about” James Willstrop Head’s introduction Anton Maree Ackworth School has developed an exceptional am extremely pleased to be tradition of sporting excellence in both girls’ and able to offer youngsters this boys’ games in recent years. We have achieved this through vigorous discipline, excellent outstanding opportunity to coaching, investment in facilities and with a Iachieve their personal best marked regard to flexibility in the curriculum. Many pupils represent the school, Yorkshire and under the world class coaching England at county and national level and several at Pontefract Squash Club, and have continued to excel on the world stage I am convinced that Ackworth Squash is more than a leisure activity; it offers a prospective career for promising youngsters to Squash Academy will join our aspire. There is however, no point in aspiring to a Table Tennis and Football career of mediocrity, and in the challenging world of modern-day professional sport, elite Academies in achieving further performance is the benchmark for success, sports excellence on a national satisfaction and fulfilling one’s potential. We will be the ones to nurture and build talent to the next level . level of superb athletic skill that we have already achieved in other sports. The Ackworth School Squash Academy provides the environment in which players can train and develop, to attain excellence in performance while accessing a first-class education in a school that has a high regard for traditional values like truth, Our History equality and peace. The Academy adds to the ckworth School was founded in another place of worship. The importance strong performance of our existing Table Tennis 1779 by John Fothergill on behalf of of respect for others and honesty at all and Football Academies at the school which have The Religious Society of Friends times emphasised by the Quaker ethos helped to develop exceptional athletes. A(Quakers) and the School Committee (or helps to produce a calm, friendly Ackworth School is proud to work alongside Board of Governors) remains atmosphere which is supportive and Pontefract Squash Club whose ethos aligns with accountable to this body. The school reassuring for young people. was established for Quaker boys and that of the school. The Club has produced a The majority of pupils are from non-Quaker girls and the Quaker Christian ethos, number of world-ranked players in addition to families and about 10% come from other with its emphasis on quiet reflection establishing a sound platform for younger players countries. Indeed, the international nature and the search for God within oneself new to the sport as well as encouraging high of the School, especially in the Sixth Form, and within others, lies at the heart of academic and behavourial standards. is one of its distinctive features. As in any the school. Ackworth School, which offers excellent facilities, such community there has to be a clear is set in beautiful grounds in the village of Periods of reflective silence form part of disciplinary framework and our Ackworth and enjoys access to nearby towns and each day, for example during Morning expectations are high. Ackworth pupils cities such as York, Leeds, Harrogate and Meeting and before meals, and each respond well to this and to the Wakefield. Manchester Airport is just over one Thursday there is a short silent Meeting for opportunities provided for assuming hour away. Worship for the whole School. On Sunday responsibilities, within the boarding houses morning boarders attend Quaker Meeting and on the School Council. Anton Maree, Head for Worship unless they wish to attend Ackworth School Squash Academy 3 4 Ackworth School Squash Academy e m School o Facilities c ckworth prides itself on the wide range l of sports accessible to the students in both Junior and Senior School. Sports e Aand physical and mental well-being are very important to today’s students, providing them with a positive foundation for their academic work. Sport develops self-discipline, Pontefract Squash W practice and preparation, teamwork, goalsetting, success and failure, and resilience. & Leisure Club Ackworth School has the full range of facilities ontefract Squash and Leisure Club enjoys available to rival any academy. With indoor and an unrivalled international reputation, outdoor all weather training surfaces, Ackworth and is home to a wealth of world class has what our students need to be on the ball. Pplayers. It is a friendly community club, which welcomes players of all standards, age groups Our facilities include squash courts, a fully- and abilities. It boasts an array of excellent fledged large-scale sports hall, gymnastic facilities, including 8 squash courts, 5 of which facilities, all weather astro pitch, a fitness suite are glass backed, with viewing available on and a heated indoor swimming pool. Students every court. The club also offers a full annual can enjoy a wealth of opportunities to support programme of social activities. It is an their physical development. inclusive club, which facilitates disabled Set in the open countryside, Ackworth offers a access to squash and offers coaching to those clean, safe and open environment with the who have an hearing impairments. opportunity to use the sports tracks for running, Malcolm Willstrop, head coach, runs a first class to engage in countryside walking and take part in coaching programme with his team of highly teambuilding exercises. trained staff, extending the opportunities to learn By utilising our facilities, Squash Academy and improve squash for both juniors and adults. members can practise aerobic endurance as well The club is also home to Lee Beachill, three times as building strength and stamina, which can help British Champion and James Willstrop, former alleviate the stress on the body’s muscles and World No.1, former World Junior No.1 and joints and help prevent squash injuries. Commonwealth Gold Medalist (2018). It proudly promotes an open door policy, which means that players of any ability can be part of the club’s success. Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club has an unprecedented number of adults and juniors who have successfully represented their country at international level. The club is officially recognised as a Centre of Excellence and one of the select few which have been awarded Gold Charter status by the sport’s governing body, England Squash. Furthermore, it is one of only 12 clubs in the UK to have a team in the Premier Squash League (National League). It is well represented in the Yorkshire and Leeds Metro Leagues and has its own internal team. There are a wealth of opportunities to play competitive squash at all levels, as well as the abundance of social squash that is enjoyed by the majority of its members. Ackworth School Squash Academy 5 6 Ackworth School Squash Academy Coaching he coaching at Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club is under the direction of internationally - recognised and world Tleading squash coach Malcolm Willstrop. Along with his team of highly trained coaches, the squash club offers a systematic and sequential squash programme, which presents all players with the opportunity to cultivate their game to positive social interactions between all the players reach their fullest potential. Training sessions are to support self-confidence and a sense of team planned to encourage individuals to develop a spirit, whilst playing in a fun and relaxed wide range of racket skills, including hand-eye environment. coordination, gross motor skills, strength and Players, like students at Ackworth School, are balance. There are many opportunities to build expected to lead by example and although squash technique through group training, match play and is a competitive sport, individuals are encouraged various club competitions. Feedback is provided to support one and another and not to solely to ensure future improvement and development. focus on the outcome of a game. Emphasis is Standards of behaviour and professional conduct placed on working towards realistic and are incredibly high. Squash coaches promote manageable goals, whilst enjoying the game. England Malcolm Squash Willstrop Consultant Mick Todd "Play squash. Make friends." CEO of Pontefract Squash & Leisure Club have been involved with the club for nearly 40 years. During this period I have had the privilege of managing many world class Pontefract Squash Club Head Coach, Level 4 Iplayers, such as James Willstrop (ENG), Ramy Ashour (EGY), Saurav Ghosal (IND) & Laura othing inspires youngsters more than of the club’s most talented junior players are Massaro (ENG). sportsmen and women who have current pupils. achieved great things, and Pontefract Pontefract Squash Club has partnered with A professional career beckons for Ackworth NSquash Club has been blessed having two Ackworth School since James Willstrop, current student, Sam Todd, who has won the British Junior players who have been ranked 1 in the world Commonwealth Gold medalist, attended over 20 Open U13 from an international field. He became in a sport played in almost 200 countries. Lee years ago. We have many aspiring and successful the first English male winner since James Willstrop, Beachill, World No.1 and twice Commonwealth squash players who study at Ackworth School Games Gold Medalist, set the standard and he 14 years previously. Sam has also won the British who are members of the Pontefract & Willstrop was followed by James Willstrop, World No.1, Junior Open U15 in January 2018. Academy. Many of our players have reached Gold medalist and three times Commonwealth Juniors at the club are encouraged from the age of National School Championships level. Silver medalist and two Bronze. 3 and 4 and many products of the system have Both Ackworth School and Pontefract Squash Not only did they set the standards of play, but of already benefited from the educational Club work in close partnership to promote high behaviour and modesty, since it is hard to imagine opportunities of Ackworth School.

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