How many people with disabilities and learning difficulties play squash at your facility? The answer at most squash clubs is probably 'not many' or 'none.' But, at his club in Newfoundland, south-east Canada, Eric Hart coaches people in wheelchairs, players with autism, Down's Syndrome, ADHD, and even some who are totally blind.
CBS Hot Shots is based at a two-court club in Conception Bay South, near the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial capital city of St John's. Since 2018, CBS Hot Shots' inclusive programmes have introduced over 30 players with different disabilities and impairments to the wonderful game of squash.
For coaches who might worry that they lack specialist skills or knowledge to work with disabled people, Eric has some advice: "It's actually really easy. Think about the first time you coached - you were probably fearful then too, and you can overcome it in exactly the same way as you did back then.
"Every player you teach has certain challenges to overcome, but your job is to help them overcome them. Figure out what they can do, what they can't do and what the next step is. Don't say, 'I can't get past this!' You're a coach and should relish the challenge. If you come to a point when you're at a loss, ask for help."
Eric, a former accountant, is ex-president of Squash Newfoundland and coached the province's junior programme very successfully for 20 years. He was also head coach of Canada's Special Olympic softball programme. That role taught him an important lesson.
He says: "In training, they waited 25 minutes for one turn in bat. They weren't getting a good workout and all they wanted to do was smack the ball! I said, 'Boy have I got a sport for you!' I took a bunch of them to the squash club and they loved it."
CBS Hot Shots' programmes grew from there, starting with the neurodevelopment disabilities group, then the class for players in wheelchairs, then finally in January 2023, Eric added a programme for people with vision loss and blindness.
The sessions run every Monday, Friday and Sunday, are led by six coaches with Eric overseeing each session (often working one-to-one and usually no more than two players per coach). The programmes are funded by local government grants and fundraising.
Eric has learned some specific lessons for how to optimise the coaching experience of each cohort.
Autism
"People on the autism spectrum don't like loud noises, so on court I can't shout at them or make a loud crack by hitting the ball too hard, or they will lose their focus," says Eric. "Sometimes a music group uses an adjacent room, so we can't have their session at the same time. I have to behave a certain way, but if I do, they are fine.
Down's Syndrome
Atlanto-axial instability (neck instability) is common in people with Down's syndrome and puts their spinal card at increased risk. Eric says this must be borne in mind when coaching people with the condition. He asks that anyone with the neck condition providers a doctor's note confirming they are OK to take part in the programme.
Players in wheelchairs
People in wheelchairs are allowed two bounces (Eric uses a blue or red dot ball) and ensures that his players' wheelchairs have a 'fifth wheel' at the back which ensures their chairs can't tip over backwards.
Eric reveals: "I have one player who doesn't want to allow the ball to bounce twice because he's so competitive. I respect that for training in some drills, but I tell him sometimes it's better to let the ball bounce twice so you've got a better shot. I'm finally getting through to him because he wants to win!"
Blind and visually impaired players
"For completely blind players, you have to re-define the game of squash," advises Eric. "They can't continuously hit a ball in a rally, but why shouldn't they learn how to hit a forehand or backhand drive or a volley?
"I ask my players if they'll allow me to physically guide their body, so I can position the racket in their hand and show them the motion of the swing. They're all OK with that. They want to learn and get good exercise."
Eric contacted the CNIB charity and purchased some goggles that mimicked different types of eye condition - cataracts, glaucoma, partial and total blindness. Using a large orange ball, he found that it was visible for someone with even 20/200 vision. They could play!
He says: "If I can do that, all I need is regular squash players willing to have a game with these guys using the orange foam ball. That's not too much to ask! So why don't we do it?"
Eric is now working on a prototype ball for blind players (see picture above) which beeps when it bounces to aid players in locating the ball.
Overall, he says: "There is nothing stopping any coach making these guys into better players and helping them gain enjoyment from our wonderful sport."
To find out more about CBS Hot Shots disability squash programmes, click here.
great stuff.