DC Squash Academy Welcomes new Elementary School (November 2005)
The DC Squash Academy, (a 501 (c)(3))  has expanded to add a  DC Public School to its after-school squash and academic tutoring program. The Robert Brent School students will train at Results, the Gym with Brian O'Hora, Patrick Chifunda, Wendy Lawrence and Natalie Grainger.  The public elementary school is three blocks from Results and is the second school currently working with the DC Squash Academy. The Else Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Charter School, trains at the University Club with Howard Day, Ghirma Meres, Sarah Hammond and Bettina Atten.  In addition, over a dozen nationally ranked juniors who train at Results and The Potomac School have been volunteering their time coaching and otherwise working at the DC Squash Academy. For further information about volunteer opportunites, go to their website at www.DCSquashAcademy.org

Women's League Starting (November 2005)
The Women’s League will have a new format this year, and begins November 21^st. The season will end sometime in late March/beginning of April with participation in the Fisher Cup, considered the city championship. The format includes self-organized matches within the community, plus monthly league bashes, where all are invited to participate at the one centre. More details in the forum.

New Database System for NCSRA (September 2005)
Rohith Shetty of the Rommark Company has been working under the direction of NCSRA board members to develop a web-enabled system for our membership and League data services. The initial functions provided will include membership database, league results entry, league rule checks and ratings update. Coordinators were provided a demonstration recently and were impressed with the initial release. Your league coordinator will be contacting team captains shortly to get you started with entering your League results data on the web. Feedback on the performance and usability of the system should be provided to your coordinator.

Membership and Ranking Data Update (September 2005)
Check the latest rating, ranking and membership information on the membership page, which includes all tournament and league play over the summer season. Remember, your membership must be current to be eligible for NCSRA Leagues. Your rating determines your eligibility as displayed in the files. Your ranking is relative to the other 500 league members in the NCSRA region. Please contact the editor with any queries or discrepancies.

SquashEmpower Weekend: Great Success (September 2005)
This urban youth enrichment program SquashEmpower (SE) held its fundraising weekend 24-25th September, and according to organizer Connie Barnes the weekend was enormously successful and will fund the program through its first full year. Barnes heaped praise on the invaluable contributions of SE patron Chris Walker, former USSRA CEO Palmer Page, SE 'Volunteer of the Year' Hunt Richardson, and staff at the Embassy of Australia for making the weekend's events a wonderful success. Deputy Mayor Neil Albert was a guest of honor at the Gala and spoke very supportively of the program and its goals.

Record Team Participation in League (June 2005)
More evidence of a burgeoning Washington squash scene has surfaced, with participation in softball league hitting an all time high. With the introduction of Division 6 and a sustained participation in the other divisions a record total of 49 teams have entered this summer, seven more than ever before. Division 4 is the busiest with 12 teams, followed by Division 2 with nine. League play competes with early evening social play, and in some premier centers this has limited participation rates, however the numbers suggest the allure of league play is having its effect. In terms of clubs, Bethesda are the trailblazers with nine teams and Results the next most prolific with six.  These graphs illustrate the exciting result for NCSRA league.

SquashEmpower Launch (April 2005)
The urban youth program, SquashEmpower,  was launched at the downtown YMCA on April 2nd,  in conjunction with the Y's 'Healthy Kids Day'. Connie Barnes has indicated a successful day was had by all involved. SquashEmpower is still actively looking for volunteers and contributions for its many activities, see here for the launch details.

 Tournament of Champions Article (March 2005)
Although we are initially made to endure the tired old chestnut regarding Squash and its herbaceous namesake, it is gratifying to see the third article on our sport in the  Washington Post within a month. David Segal writes on the turbulent atmosphere on the courts in this month's Tournament of Champions. The argy-bargy comes as a surprise to Segal who appears burdened with the stereotypical image of a preppy, genteel sport.   Article.

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