The inaugural US Squash Junior High Performance Program (HPP) brought together eighteen of the nation’s top juniors for a weekend of training alongside senior HPP players under the guidance of the US Squash National Coaches, October 28-30 at the Arlen Specter Center in Philadelphia.
US Squash announced the Junior HPP program this fall with the goal of elevating the standard of play fo juniors hoping to represent Team USA, build a sense of camaraderie as the national team program works towards a common goal in a supportive team environment, and place junior players alongside top U.S. professionals currently representing the nation on the international stage.
The first of four Junior HPP sessions scheduled this year, the junior players worked alongside world No. 26 Shahjahan Khan and world No. 50 Faraz Khan. The national team coaching staff included the Ganek Family US Squash Head National Coach Ong Beng Hee, Scott Devoy, Chris Longman and Karamatullah Khan.
“We had a productive weekend training on court and in the high performance center, and the players got a sense of the level of intensity and detail needed to be successful at the highest level,” Ong said. “With all of resources the Specter Center at our disposal, the Junior HPP is a valuable opportunity for our national coaches and players to develop relationships and set standards, which will serve Team USA well at all levels in the future. This weekend was just the beginning and we’re already looking forward to the next.”
The next Junior HPP sessions are scheduled for December 2-4, January 20-22 and May 19-21. To learn more about the program and eligibility visit the Junior HPP page.