The Cambridge Area Squash Alliance
Our Mission
To expand the sport of squash to public school students in Cambridge, Arlington, and surrounding area public schools.
Short Term Goals
- to establish a public school squash team comprising students from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS) and Arlington High School (AHS)
- to compete this winter season (’24-’25) against area public/private school squash teams (e.g. Wellesley, Brookline, Needham, Acton/Boxborough, Concord/Carlisle, Squashbusters, Beaver Country Day, BB&N, St. Sebastian).
- to increase accessibility to squash, bring more kids on to the courts, and grow awareness, interest, and love of the sport.
Long Term Goals
- to establish JV and Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ squash teams at CRLS and Arlington HS, similar to the thriving program at Brookline High School.
- to make squash widely accessible to all area public school students, and ensure that any public school squash player who would like to play on a team will be eligible for one.
- to support other area schools in establishing their own public school squash teams.
- to increase accessibility to squash, bring more kids on to the courts, and grow awareness, interest, and love of the sport.
Our Progress
(scroll right on mobile)
Need | Details | Progress (10/9/24) |
|---|---|---|
Courts | 3-4 courts for 1-2 hours, 3-5x/week | Have support from Harvard Varsity coaches Mike Way, Hameed Ahmed, Luke Hammond, and permission to use Murr Courts. Finalizing court times with Harvard reservations department. |
Coaching | coach + assistant(s) | Ali Merchant and Naji Khan, w/Andrew Frishman and Jonathan Henke. Experienced players will also assist in coaching novice players. Ali Merchant is an Arlington HS parent who has served as assistant coach of the MIT Varsity Squash team. Naji Khan is a former pro player and current squash pro at Cambridge Athletic Club. He is also a CRLS alum. |
Players | 7 players/match. Roster of 10-16 players. | Milo Miller, Aqeel Merchant, Abbas Merchant, Jordan Frishman, Oliver Henke, Linus Henke. Milo and Abbas have talked to several other students who have expressed interest and enthusiasm. Waiting on final court times before expanding outreach/recruitment. |
Funding | MA Squash and US Squash will provide start-up funding. We can also hold a fundraiser. | |
Athletic Director Support | Tom Arria (CRLS) | Will speak with Tom. |
Parent Liaison | Tien-Yi Lee, Andrew Frishman (CRLS) | |
Transportation | for away matches | Parent carpools |
Equipment | racquets, safety glasses, court shoes, balls | Ask for donations. Players on the roster will be expected to have their own equipment. We will help provide for any player in need. |
Matches | to be scheduled | We have registered with US Squash and will compete in the National Scholastic League. We have coach contacts for area school teams: Wellesley, Brookline, Needham, Acton/Boxborough, Concord/Carlisle, SquashBusters, BB&N, Beaver Country Day, St. Sebastian |
Outreach | to do | FOCA, CRLS DYK Newsletter, Parent Square, CPSD listserv, MA Squash newsletter, area coaches/clubs/juniors programs |
Community Support | We have support from important members of the squash community, including: Steve Lantos, MA Squash's commissioner of public school squash; Mike Way, Hameed Ahmed and Luke Hammond, coaches of Harvard Varsity Squash; Gary Gargan, Squash West pro, Assistant Coach of Tufts Squash, coach of Acton/Boxborough and Concord/Carlisle HS club teams; Ron Rubin, coach of Brookline HS teams; Maija Rojas, president of FOCA (Friends of Cambridge Athletics), and many more! |
Contact Us
Are you interested in learning more about squash? Do you know a public school student who might be interested in joining our team? Would you like to support our mission? We are looking for players, volunteers, and enthusiasm. Please drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you!