The East Coast Squash Academy has been a proponent of squash with its on-going involvement at the highest levels of peak performance with Australian squash legend David Palmer, former World #1 staging loal squash camps at Willoughby Squash Club as well as Madeline Perry, former World #3 recently joining The Academy’s coaching faculty based at the Bondi Waverley Squash Club just last week.
In as much as top coaches bolster local enthusiasm for squash, additional benefits provided by The Academy have been its residency program for Elite and Professional Players.
David Cromwell and Tiffany Hau from Middlebury College in Vermont, USA have been residents in The Academy’s Elite Development Program in 2014 and 2015.
“My game has improved a lot thanks in large part to my time with The East Coast Squash Academy in 2015,” explains Cromwell. “ I jumped from #7 to #2 on my team within 1 season because I am so much more aware of everything that’s going on in all the different aspects of my game.” He adds, “my progression across the four dimensions of the game has allowed me to continue improving even after leaving Aaron’s program and returning to college squash.”
Similarly, Hau describes her experiences as “...one of the most rewarding places to train and learn. Since I have worked with Aaron and the academy, my level of improvement has increased exponentially. I am much more aware of myself, my own strengths and capabilities, and how to capitalize on others’ weaknesses while playing. In addition, I have learned much more about the game as a whole, including coaching, strategy, mindset, and technique. The opportunity to train with some of the top coaches and players has been one of a kind.” Tiffany still currently works with East Coast Squash Academy in charge of marketing and website design.
In addition, other players include Anna Kimberly from England, who currently plays #4 on Trinity College’s team in Connecticut. The team is a top ranked team for women in the college program and Anna has been one of the top players in England for years and played with the academy in 2015. In addition, Juan Vargas from Trinity men’s team visited in 2014 with Tiffany Hau, and he is currently #3 on of the top three teams in the U.S.
Lastly, Tyler Finkelstein, who plays for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under head coach and former World #1 Thierry Lincou, also visited in 2015. “It is clear that Aaron draws the best coaching techniques from his many years of experience playing and training,” Finkelstein says. “He understands how to think about technique, strategy, and training. And he’s an awesome guy, too”.
The Academy has created a structured coaching framework that encompasses the 4 dimensions of peak performance development based on deliberate practice principles used by Olympians and Commonwealth Games-level athletes. These four dimensions include: The physical, strategic/tactical, technical and mental aspects of the game.
One of the components of the peak performance framework are intensive 2-5 day squash camps – popular in North America as an intensive off-season method of accelerating squash development amongst junior and elite members. The Academy caters to this group with personalised programs and residency (accommodation) support in one of the world’s most beautiful cities – Sydney, Australia!
The Academy, although a for-profit business, makes substantial investments in squash development projects like its residency program, always seeking to provide players (and their parents) with the highest value possible. This is made possible via the generosity of sponsors and friends of The Academy and its staff who selflessly volunteer their time and resources free of charge for the benefit and love of the game.
The Academy wishes to publicly acknowledge these quiet supporters who wish to remain anonymous and behind-the scenes. They include parents, siblings and friends and family of fellow squash addicts that may one day become the next David Palmer, Michelle Martin, or Cameron Pilley…
The East Coast Squash Academy:
Founded in 2011 when Aaron Frankcomb retired from the Professional Squash Tour, the East Coast Squash Academy set out to create a business model to expand the presence of squash within local communities surrounding squash centres. The first installation was at Willoughby Squash Club where Frankcomb was hired as the club’s resident squash pro.
Since inception, the Academy has produced some stellar results including: Attracting a handful of junior players with aspirations of going on the professional (PSA) tour. Its junior program has the biggest contingent of players on the NSW Squash Junior ranking list, with players on the NSW junior state teams, Australian junior teams and Australian senior players. The Academy has developed NSW and Australian Junior Champions.
The Academy is home base to two full time senior players that have reached careers highs of top 240 in the world on the Men’s PSA Tour. Its best female professional reached a top world ranking of 130.
The junior program now boasts over 500 children participating in weekly squads and training sessions. Memberships and participation in squads have increased by 100% and 300% respectively and tournament registrations are at an all-time high.
The Bondi Waverley Squash Club is the second squash club to join the Academy, in 2014.
Contact details:
Tel: 0424 474 001
Email: [email protected]
Website: EastCoastSquashAcademy.com.au
Facebook: East Coast Squash Academy
Aaron Frankcomb:
Aaron Frankcomb was ranked in the top 100 professional squash players for 8 years, 4 years in the top 50, winning 3 PSA titles. He represented Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, was a Junior Champion in all age groups including 2 times in the Under 19 category and holder of scholarships in the Tasmanian and Australian Institutes Of Sport. He now coaches professionally and remains Sydney’s top ranked squash player and is still considered within the top 5 players in Australia.
Contact details:
Tel: 0424 474 001
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.AaronFrankcomb.com.au
Facebook: Aaron Head Pro WilloughbySquash
Willoughby Squash Club
Willoughby Squash Club has been Sydney’s premier squash club for over 30 years. Boasting 10 singles courts and Sydney’s only regulation championship sized doubles courts. Willoughby is also a site for Australia’s #1 squash store, with the largest selection of squash racquets, shoes, and accessories; the club also has an onsite restringing service.
(i) www.WilloughbySquash.com.au
(e) [email protected]
(w) 0299581399
(a) 443 Willoughby Road, Willoughby NSW 2068
Bondi Waverley Squash Club
Bondi Waverley is a member-run club located in the heart of Bondi Junction. A beautiful four-court centre and bar, Bondi Waverley Squash Club has entered teams in Sydney’s pennant competition for over 40 years. In addition to courts, the club is also available for functions in the spacious bar and lounge, with pool tables and poker machines. The club is now the second location for East Coast Squash Academy and hosts annual tournaments as well as regular programs for all skill levels and age groups.
(i) www.BondiSquashClub.com.au
(e) [email protected]
(w) 0293871452
(a) 8 Denison Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022