New Canaan Country School Adds Squash to its Athletics Lineup

New Canaan Country School has added squash to its athletic program.  The Upper School co-ed varsity team got off to a great start with a win against St. Luke's, 4-3 on Dec. 9.

The Upper School squash program consists of a varsity team, with 14 members selected by a tryout process. The team plays an interscholastic schedule with matches against peer schools.  The Middle School program emphasizes skill development and intramural matches, and accommodates 28 students over two sessions. 

Squash is a popular sport among independent school students; many play the sport outside of school and aim to play for their secondary school teams. “By adding squash, we’re helping to meet the interest and need of our kids,” says Country School Athletics Director Keri Kern. "Students also get the team experience they don’t receive by taking private lessons outside of school."

Cynthia Badan coaches the students using four courts at the nearby Country Club of New Canaan. Badan, who ran the middle school squash program at Greenwich Academy, works in conjunction with the Club's pros, including Yvain Badan, a world champion squash player (who incidentally is married to Cynthia). 

So far, the program is oversubscribed. Enrollment for the sport is limited by the number of courts available. 

“The response has been very positive and the kids are loving it,” says Kern.  “We are excited to build the program.”

New Canaan Country School is an independent day school serving children from Beginners (Pre-K) through Grade 9.