Jamaica Squash Association outreach programme provides support for students

Under its outreach programme, the JSA provide funds for the purchase of mobile data plans to enable students to access online classes following the closure of schools due to the pandemic.  In addition, junior players from Campion College Squash Club and their parents, donated care packages to the Penwood students.

The JSA’s partnership with Penwood High began in 2017 when the association started an adjunct programme offering students weekly squash training sessions.  Since that time, students from the school have been playing competitively with 17-year-old Antonio Cumberland and 16-year-old Donell James making the national junior squad in 2018. 

James went on to represent Jamaica at the Caribbean Areas Squash Association’s (CASA) Junior Championships in Trinidad in 2019.

Junior squash programme manager, Gill Binnie said: “We have had to suspend our regular training sessions with the Penwood students because of the health and safety practices that have become necessary because of COVID-19.  But although we haven’t been able to see the players regularly we have still kept in touch with them and with the school and we wanted to provide some support because this has been a challenging time for all of us.”

The outreach programme is among several JSA activities which have been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19.  Earlier this year, the association had to postpone the All Jamaica Junior Championships, the All Jamaica Ladies Championships and the KPMG League because of the pandemic.  In addition, the junior and senior Caribbean squash championships, the most prestigious events on the regional calendar, have both been cancelled.

“Like every other sporting fraternity it has been tough going for our athletes who have been working towards these events and of course have their personal goals and progress plans but we are ready to resume training and hopefully competitions as soon as it is safe to do so,” Binnie added.