People

Dai, Samina, and the committee.

The members own the club and a committee runs it. These two are the ones you will meet first, usually within a minute of walking in.

Two people on stools in the gallery, watching a court through the glass

The team

Dai Probert, head coach, a lean man in his fifties with short grey hair and a black zip jumper, leaning against a white court wall

Dai Probert

Head coach

Dai grew up three streets away and first came through the door at eleven, to get out of the rain. He played for the county in his twenties, did thirty years in the rolling mill, and has coached here since the early 2000s.

He holds a senior coaching award and a current DBS check (both placeholders on this demonstration site). He will tell you exactly what is wrong with your backhand, whether or not you asked.

Samina Akhtar, club captain, a woman in her forties in a burgundy sweatshirt, smiling, with a glass court behind her

Samina Akhtar

Club captain

Samina is a pharmacist in the town and has been on the ladder for fifteen years. She writes the boxes, runs Tuesday club night and picks the winter league teams.

If you want a game and do not know anyone, she is the person to ask. Also, if you are thinking of arguing about a let, she is the person not to.

The paperwork

The boring bits that matter.

A welfare officer

Cath Rees, a committee member who does not coach. Placeholder name on this demonstration site.

Checked coaches

DBS checks and coaching awards are held by the secretary. These are placeholders here; ask to see them at any club.

A defibrillator

By the blue door, with first-aid kits on each landing. Squash is hard work. We have thought about that.

Open books

Accounts go to the AGM every May, and anyone can ask to see them. The surplus goes on floors and showers.

First game is on us. Bring shoes that do not mark.

Ring or send a line and someone from the club will give you a game at about your level, lend you a racket and tell you honestly what you are doing wrong.