FOUND THEIR ATHLETIC
WELL WITH SQUASH .... ”
we do group training sessions, many kids
became friends through being at the same
training session,” he says.

Even when young athletes compete with
each other in matches, they find common
ground too, Vlassaks says.

“They also meet each other at tournaments
and create some type of friendship,” he adds.

Squash on Fire requires no membership
to play on its courts; even junior players are
welcome to participate. Vlassaks says that this
membership-free offering takes the pressure
off parents deciding whether to sign up
their children.

“Kids sometimes get bored and will change
— CONNIE BARNES, DIRECTOR, AUSSIENICK SQUASH
sports. If they don’t like it anymore
after a few times, they can stop,”
Vlassaks says.

At Play Squash Academy in McLean,
Virginia, director Jahangir (Jay) Naseem also
recognizes the transformations in his junior
squash students. He has seen kids go from
having no interest in any type of athletics to
working out at his facility nearly every day.

“Kids who are being bullied by other kids
can find self-confidence through squash,” he
says. “Kids come in here with no experience in
a sport at all. But with passion, love and proper
attention, they become super athletes.”
His program has expanded greatly over the
years with one facility at the McLean Racquet
& Health Club and another in Tysons Corner
that both serve a total of about 150 juniors.

Naseem welcomes all types of youth to
his program.

“Any kid can come and play squash,” he
says. “They’ll have a lot of fun and develop a
healthy lifestyle too.” n
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