By Dominic Hui (22S03G), Boys’ Captain and Song Yi (22S03H), Girls’ Captain
When people talk about racket sports, which sport comes to mind first? To most, badminton, to some tennis. Few will think of squash. In fact, some may not even know such a sport exists. However, it does not mean that this sport is any less interesting than the other racket sports.
So, what exactly is squash? Squash is a sport played in an enclosed court 6.4m wide and 9.75m long. However, don’t be fooled by the size of the court. This sport is actually a very high intensity sport. Players take turns to hit the ball against the wall. With the right technique, players can hit the tiny black ball up to speeds of 280km/h. It is no wonder why players need to always be on their toes and rely on lightning fast reflexes in order to keep the ball alive. Despite this, squash isn’t exactly a 100m sprint either, just one point in squash can last up to 3 minutes in which during the rally, more than 100 shots are played. Hence, both stamina and mental endurance are key aspects a good squash player must possess.
If this is not enticing enough, squash also allows players to make use of all four walls as long as the ball touches the front wall every shot. Players can make use of the angles to wrong foot their opponent, making squash a strategic game as well.
Having said that, if you are new to the sport, fret not. Our dedicated coach, Coach Allan, together with your teammates, will guide you along the way. In no time, you will be able to confidently pick up your racket and hit the ball consecutively. However, this does not come easy either. Our training is held three times a week, once in school and two times at Serangoon Gardens Country Club. On Mondays, there will be fitness training carried out at the school track if the weather permits. Otherwise, we will do other forms of physical training such as vertical runs. The other two court training sessions on Wednesday and Friday present a wide array of drills to train technique and sharpen up on skills. These training sessions will end off with friendly matches which include doubles to practice what you have learnt in a fun setting.
Squash is an individual sport – after all, you are in the court alone physically. However, in Raffles Squash, we believe that “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”. Join the Raffles Squash family and we will fight as one, rise as one and win as one. In the end, to win a championship, it takes more than an individual player’s effort. We all need to come together and cheer on each and every player who steps into the court so that together we can soar like a gryphon.
From everyone here in Raffles Squash, we would like to invite you to come down for our trials this year and be part of our Raffles Squash family! :)
