The Empower Squash Foundation is a charity that raises money to give enthusiastic, kind and driven young children the chance to better their lives through a free integrated squash, education & nutrition programme.
Every week throughout the school year the students are given:
A squash lesson by a professional squash coach showing them the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.
A life skills class encouraging them to be more confident in their own abilities.
A hot nutritious meal, which unfortunately some of these children may not be getting in their home lives.
The Empower Squash Foundation is all about inspiring, supporting and encouraging young kids to strive for a better future.
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Mike has had a passion for coaching since the age of 16. Since moving to Birmingham in 2008, Mike has increased the participation on the junior programme significantly. Edgbaston Priory Club now have over 100 kids signed up to the coaching programme and continue to work with a number of local schools.
"Deon has taken her past experience as a professional squash player and love of squash to build the Foundation you see today. As a coach, Deon has seen many urban squash programs take shape: with her knowledge and passion she is determined to help children build a better future for themselves through the Empower Squash Foundation."
"Deon has taken her past experience as a professional squash player and love of squash to build the Foundation you see today. As a coach, Deon has seen many urban squash programs take shape: with her knowledge and passion she is determined to help children build a better future for themselves through the Empower Squash Foundation."
"I have worked in healthcare for more than 30 years in the UK and abroad and lived in Birmingham for the last 20. I had been looking to work with a charity supporting disadvantaged children in the city for some time when Deon approached me to join the Empower project. The Foundation's aims to nurture a healthy lifestyle through squash, education and nutrition are more important than ever as we transition to a post pandemic world. To play a part in the development of the Empower Foundation is an honour and privilege and I’m so excited for the future."
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"I am a Canadian who has lived in the UK for the past 16 years where I teach English and Drama at a therapeutic secondary school in Warwick. My family and I all play squash at Leamington Lawn Tennis and Squash Club where we also help organise events and coach. My mission is to get more females playing squash, creating a sporting habit for life in a truly inclusive and supportive environment. I am excited to be part of the Empower Foundation Programme."
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"I started my career over 20 years ago as a teacher in Birmingham, since then I have worked abroad and then returned to work in other schools across Birmingham.
Five years ago I took on a headship at a school in Smethwick which is both challenging and hugely rewarding.
I became involved with Empower when I brought a class of children to watch the European Team championships at the Edgbaston Priory Club. The children had never had the opportunity to watch, let alone play, a sport like squash.
It is great to be part of a charity that is driven to bring squash to children who would never get to play such a sport and to broaden and enrich their life experiences."