This spring, Squash BC piloted a new community development & facility engagement program: Community Champions. Five facilities participated in the pilot program, which included launching or further developing a program at their club and participating in group mentorship sessions. The pilot program Champions also provided Squash BC with valuable feedback ahead of the full program launch this fall.
Across the five pilots, 90 participants took part in week-to-week squash programs, led by the pilot program Champions. The target demographic of each pilot varied, but overall the program introduced 22 first-time players to the sport. As well, feedback from the pilots has indicated that 68% of participants that were not previously engaged with their club have either joined as a member or signed up for another program session. Squash BC thanks our pilot Champions for helping launch this exciting new program!
Community Champions is a new and important part of Squash BC’s Growth Initiative. The program is designed as a “next step” program for facilities and communities that have taken part and had success in our Roving Ambassador Program.
Selected Champions will work with an assigned Roving Ambassador Mentor to successfully launch a program at their club. During the program, Champions will also participate in group mentorship sessions that include fellow Champions, assigned Ambassadors, and those that have previously completed the program.
Squash BC provides selected Champions with grant funding, Roving Ambassador support (including being on site for a program launch event), access to equipment, and tools/resources. Keep an eye out for our Community Champions Intake Form, which will be released soon.
Programs like Community Champions would not be possible without the support of our Building the Future Fund donors. We thank our donors for allowing us to continue delivering on the goal of our Growth Initiative: to revitalize squash throughout BC! If you would like to support programs like Community Champions, Squash in Schools, and more, donate to our Building the Future Fund today.