THE UNITED STATES U23 PROGRAM

'Bridging the Gap'

US Squash is embarking on an exciting new era of elite squash. A new program is being built that will encourage our young, home grown players to compete with other world renown squash countries. The US U23 Program is the first step to integrating the juniors and college players and preparing them for international senior level competition. The elite squad will be modeled on other successful programs run by England, Australia and South Africa, who have a long history of producing top world ranked players.

The US U23 Squad will be managed, organized and coached by Mike Puertas, current US No.1, US Men's team member and former World No.35 and Natalie Grainger, WISPA President, current World No.4, a former World No.1 and US Junior Women's Coach.

The goal of the US U23 Squad is to help players make the transition from a top junior player to a full National team member and/or PSA or WISPA touring pro. "This program will form the bridge that will encourage American players to flourish and thus increase our opportunity to field stronger and more successful senior National Teams," explains Kevin Klipstein, CEO of US Squash. "We are thrilled to have the expertise of Mike and Natalie, such high profile coaches, to head this fantastic new program. US Squash is focused on becoming a major force in international squash."

The coaches will be looking to fill the Squad from members of the US Junior Men's and Women's Squads as well as from the ranks of the top US collegiate players, but to be eligible for this US U23 Squad, one must be a US citizen and under the age of 23. The Squad will be limited to 10 men and 10 women in order that it will be a successful and streamlined program.

Goals and Benefits:

A note from the coaches... Our aim is to help Squad members maximize their potential. We hope to achieve this by offering the opportunity to work with coaches that have international experience at the very highest level, matches with PSA and WISPA tour players at squads, instruction from strength trainers and physiologists, and sessions with sports nutritionists and psychologists. All these professionals will be able to help and advise squad members on the training techniques, nutrition, surviving on the tour and sponsorship, which is everything that a player requires to be successful.

Other benefits:

We are extremely excited about this new program to create a strong foundation from which we build our US Teams. If you are interested in supporting the program or becoming a member of this elite squad, please contact Mike or Natalie. All information is available from US Squash too.

Mike Puertas mpuertas@mac-stl.com Tel: 314-539-4484
Natalie Grainger natgno1@hotmail.com Tel: 202-250-1324
USSRA vijay.chitnis@us-squash.org Tel: 212.268.4090 x16 www.us-squash.org
Pro Tour Web Sites
www.psa-squash.com
www.wispa.net