Youth programs, a new league and regular tournaments have the Inuvik Squash Club busy heading into the down season of summer.

The club held a tournament May 19 and 20, with about 16 players involved in three tiers of play.

SA国际影视传媒淓verything went well,SA国际影视传媒� said Grant Convey, a coach in the club. SA国际影视传媒淲e had four beginners come out, which was great.SA国际影视传媒�

One thing that didnSA国际影视传媒檛 go well, though, was a player getting an eye injury during a game. He was taken to the hospital, but thankfully the injury was not serious.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was a good reminder that the sport can be a bit dangerous, and certainly that afternoon playing in the tournament, everyone put their safety goggles on,SA国际影视传媒� said Convey.

The rec centre provides safety goggles for anyone who needs them.

The club is going into the fourth week of its youth program next week, which sees youth in two age groups drop in on Tuesdays to learn the fundamentals of squash for an hour.

There are about 12 youth involved in the program overall, all 13 years old and younger.

SA国际影视传媒淚n squash, it can be difficult keeping between eight- and 10-year-olds busy on the court and keeping them safe at the same time,SA国际影视传媒� said Convey. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 always a challenge for a coach SA国际影视传媒� you want to get through all the kids equally, but in the hour it can be a bit of a handful sometimes. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e pretty energetic.SA国际影视传媒�

At that age, the goal is mostly learning hand-eye coordination and doing drills related to those fundamental skills.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey can hold a racket, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 more getting their young bodies better used to hand-eye coordination drills,SA国际影视传媒� said Convey.

To be able to hold an extended rally and be in control of the ball, students would need upwards of 10 coaching sessions, thinks Convey.

Squash demands ball control, he added.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou work with the kids progressively, give them confidence. Some kids get it right away. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e good little athletes. Some kids struggle being able to hit the ball altogether.SA国际影视传媒�

The seven-week program is aimed to get more youth in the community involved in the sport, with the hope that squash continues to grow in Inuvik for years to come.

League nights are held on Wednesdays, with usually about eight to 10 players coming out, said Convey.

Friday drop-in sessions continue to be the groupSA国际影视传媒檚 most popular day, as thereSA国际影视传媒檚 less pressure than participating in a league.

The club is looking at holding one more tournament for the season in June. After that, play usually drops off until the fall.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 also an indoor sport, and for a lot of people in the Arctic, they like to be outdoors in the summer,SA国际影视传媒� said Convey.