OLIVER Anglesey Schools Competition Brings Squash to 500 Children Across the Island
The first OLIVER Anglesey Schools Competition brought school sport, teamwork and grassroots squash together at Holyhead Leisure Centre on April 30th, giving children from across Anglesey a brilliant first taste of the game.
The event followed a series of free squash taster sessions delivered in schools across the island, introducing around 500 children from Years 3 to 7 to squash using mini squash walls.
From there, 60 children progressed to finals day, representing 15 teams from Ysgol Corn Hir, Ysgol Cybi, Holyhead High School, Ysgol Treffos and Ysgol Kingsland.
Other schools, including Ysgol Santes Fair, Ysgol Pencarnisiog, Ysgol Y Borth, Ysgol Y Fali and Ysgol Bodedern, also took part in the taster sessions, helping introduce squash to children who may never have picked up a racket before.
Each team included at least one girl, with most teams featuring two or more girls, making the event a fantastic example of inclusive school sport and giving more young players the chance to represent their school.
The project was made possible thanks to support from Anglesey Council, who provided grant funding to ensure all school sessions, the build-up activity and the finals day itself were completely free for the children and schools involved.
The event was also supported by Tesco, who provided free fruit for every pupil on finals day, with each child receiving a banana, apple and orange to help keep them fuelled throughout a busy day of matches.
A Simple Format, A Brilliant Competition
The finals day used the same mini squash walls introduced during the school taster sessions, making the competition accessible, fun and easy for every player to understand.
Each school team had four players. The number ones played each other, the number twos played each other, and so on, with matches played to five points. Every point counted towards the team total, meaning every child had an important role to play.
With 15 teams competing throughout the day, the format created a brilliant mix of excitement, focus and teamwork. Pupils quickly got behind their teammates, cheering every point as the standings began to take shape.
At the end of a fantastic day of competition, Ysgol Corn Hir’s first team were crowned champions after a dominant performance, dropping just two points in total on their way to the title.
Holyhead High School finished second, while Ysgol Corn Hir’s second team completed an excellent day for the school by claiming third place.
Final Results
1st Place: Ysgol Corn Hir First Team
2nd Place: Holyhead High School
3rd Place: Ysgol Corn Hir Second Team
Each received a certificate to recognise their achievement, while OLIVER also provided prizes for the top three teams. The winning team received pencil cases, bottles and keychains, second place received bottles and keychains, and third place received keychains.
Every pupil on finals day also received free fruit kindly provided by Tesco, with each child given a banana, apple and orange during the event.
OLIVER has also provided funding for a further two months of free squash sessions, helping give children a clear pathway to continue playing after the event at Ynys Mon Squash Club.
You can read more about the club here:
Ynys Mon Squash Club: A Legacy of Excellence and Community
From First Hit to Finals Day
The main aim of the OLIVER Anglesey Schools Competition was simple: to introduce more children to squash and create a fun, welcoming first experience of the sport.
Led by Shaun Sullivan, with support from Paul Barrell and Rhian Jones, the taster sessions gave children the chance to learn basic racket skills, movement, hand-eye coordination and scoring in a format designed specifically for school environments.
For many of the pupils involved, this was their first experience of squash. By using mini walls, adapted games and team-based competition, the sessions helped make the sport less intimidating and far more accessible.
The response from the children was outstanding, with many asking how they could keep playing after the event. Organisers are now hoping the competition will lead to a strong increase in junior participation at Ynys Mon Squash Club.
The Colosseum Comes to Holyhead
One of the standout moments of the day came at the end of the competition, when Shaun Sullivan and Paul Barrell played an exhibition match to show the children what a full game of squash looks like.
The pupils were split down the middle, with half supporting Shaun and half supporting Paul, and they were encouraged to cheer throughout.
What followed was absolute sporting chaos in the best possible way.
For a few glorious minutes, Holyhead Leisure Centre turned into the Colosseum. Every winner was greeted like a last-minute cup final goal, every trick shot sent the crowd into orbit, and every taxi had the children roaring for more. They didn’t want the squash to stop — they wanted rallies, drama, and another ridiculous shot to lose their minds over.
It summed up everything the event was designed to achieve: children enjoying sport, supporting each other and seeing squash as something fast, fun and full of life.
Supporting Schools, Clubs and the Future of Squash on Anglesey
The OLIVER Anglesey Schools Competition was about much more than one finals day. It was designed to connect schools, children and the local squash community, creating a route for young players to continue after their first experience of the sport.
By making the sessions free and removing barriers to entry, the project helped give hundreds of children the opportunity to try squash in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
The hope now is that many of those children will continue playing through the free follow-up sessions and local club opportunities at Ynys Mon Squash Club.
Quote from Shaun Sullivan, OLIVER Sports UK Director
“Seeing around 500 children across Anglesey get the chance to try squash has been incredible. The finals day was everything we hoped it would be — competitive, loud, fun and full of energy.
“The biggest thing for us is creating a pathway. It’s not just about one day or one competition. It’s about giving children a positive first experience of squash and then making sure they have somewhere to go next if they want to keep playing.”
Quote from Barry Edwards, Active Localities & Sports Development Manager for Anglesey Council
“This was a fantastic example of how school sport can introduce young people to new opportunities in a fun and accessible way. The organisation of the event was excellent, especially with so many teams involved, and it was great to see children from across Anglesey enjoying squash and representing their schools.
“Thanks to the grant support, the sessions were free for schools and pupils, which helped make the project as inclusive as possible. We hope this encourages more children to take up the sport and continue participating locally.”
Quote from Gary Owen, Teacher from Ysgol Corn Hir
“The children absolutely loved the whole experience. The format was simple, fun and easy for them to understand, but it still gave them that real feeling of representing their school in a proper competition.
“We were incredibly proud of both Corn Hir teams. For the first team to win while only dropping two points all day was a fantastic achievement, and having our second team finish third made it even more special.”
A Brilliant Start for School Squash on Anglesey
The OLIVER Anglesey Schools Competition showed just how much potential there is for squash in schools when children are given the chance to try the sport in the right environment.
With hundreds of pupils introduced to the game, 60 children competing on finals day, strong female participation across the teams, and free follow-up sessions now available, the event has created a strong foundation for future junior squash growth on the island.
The event would not have been possible without the support of Anglesey Council, whose grant funding helped make the school sessions, build-up activity and finals day completely free for children and schools across the island. OLIVER would also like to thank Tesco for kindly providing free fruit for every pupil on finals day, with each child receiving a banana, apple and orange to help keep them fuelled, smiling and ready for the next rally.
Together, that support helped create a brilliant first step for school squash on Anglesey — and judging by the noise inside Holyhead Leisure Centre, the next generation of players are already be on their way.