Access Youth Academy, an urban squash programme based in California, has introduced a trio of initiatives in Los Angeles to help raise the profile of squash at a grassroots level ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games.
Access Youth Academy has been working in collaboration with US Squash to deliver the PlayLA Programme, Access Youth Academy After School Programme, and Public School Programme.
This work has helped introduce thousands of children to the sport of squash across the city.
Access Youth Academy Executive Director Renato Paiva spoke on the ongoing and future grassroots efforts to help extend the sport’s reach ahead of its exciting debut at the LA28 Olympic Games.
He said: “Growing Squash in Los Angeles is a very important part of the work in order to have a successful showing at the LA28 Olympics and for the future in Brisbane 2032.
“Access Youth Academy, in collaboration with US Squash and WSF, are delighted to be working to expose thousands of kids in LA to our great sport.
“I encourage the entire squash community, regardless of where you are, to support the efforts in LA. Feel free to reach out to me and let’s make this momentum stronger!”
US Squash President & Chief Executive Officer Kevin Klipstein said: “We’re proud to support the initiative Access Youth Academy have shown in Los Angeles to develop awareness and interest in squash at the very grassroots level. Engaging kids in parks, at schools and other multipurpose events is a critical step in growing the sport. We especially excited about the programs taking place in schools which provides ongoing access and can be duplicated in cities across the country.”
The PlayLA programme is an LA28-funded programme that offers affordable and accessible sport to young people of all abilities. Access Youth Academy currently provide this programme in two parks, the Chevy Chase Park and the Pecan Recreation Center, with this number doubling in size this October.
The scheme has utilised outdoor handball courts at these two locations, with training being delivered by instructors from SoCal squash.
Another of the initiatives, the summer squash sessions, saw a further 600 students introduced to the sport over a four-week period in the summer. Held at the RFK School Campus, these sessions allowed children who had never picked up a racket to have their first taste of squash.
Access Youth Academy also represented squash at the 40th Play Day Block Party, hosted by LA84 Foundation. In addition to introducing over 1000 children to squash, the party had live bands, free giveaways, food trucks, a community art mural and much more.
You can get in contact with Access Youth Academy’s Renato Paiva by emailing him at renato@accessyouthacademy.org.
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