The College Squash Association (CSA) is launching the Sprout Initiative, a new program to help women college squash players discover ways to remain involved in the sport after graduation. Sprout will combine education and mentorship with in-person, hands-on training, introducing participants to opportunities in coaching, teaching, refereeing, facility operations, and other areas of squash. For some, those opportunities may become careers; for others, they may be ways to contribute alongside other work and interests.
Graduation can mean leaving behind the regular practices, teammates, and community that made squash part of daily life, but it does not have to end a player’s involvement in the sport. Each year, roughly 100 women squash players graduate from CSA teams. These accomplished student-athletes are already leaders on their campuses.
Sprout will help them understand how they can carry that leadership into squash after college—whether through a full career in the sport or through continued play, volunteering, mentorship, and community involvement. By helping more women stay connected, the CSA hopes to strengthen the sport and increase women’s representation across it.
The initiative will begin this year with an inaugural group of women’s team captains. An orientation call on Wednesday, October 28, will introduce the captains to Sprout and its goals. Over the course of the program, participants will learn about opportunities across the squash industry, connect with people working in the sport, and take part in practical training. The CSA will draw on feedback from this first group as it continues to develop the curriculum.
Supported by the Women’s Leadership Program
The Women’s Leadership Program will help make this initiative possible. The CSA is this year’s beneficiary, and all proceeds will support the development and delivery of Sprout. CSA is grateful to the Women’s Leadership Program and its supporters for making this investment in the future of women’s leadership in squash.
