TOP England coach Mike Harris is coming to the island for the first time to coach Guernsey’s juniors. Harris, who is the Squash Academy Director for the south-west, has coached many top England internationals. He was also Chris Simpson’s coach and mentor for many years when he was competing as a junior.

In October he was the England team manager for the fourth World Deaf Championships in Cape Town, South Africa, in which England won the team event and went on to do the double by winning the men’s event as well.

‘Mike has recognised that there is an abundance of talented junior squash players in Guernsey,’ said Peter Bridgeman, director of island squash.

‘Several of these juniors were invited to a south-west area academy training day but due to the logistics of travelling to the UK, it was decided that it would be far better if he came to us, which reduces the cost greatly and also means that Mike will see a lot more of our juniors players perform in an environment in which they are comfortable,’ added Bridgeman.

Harris will be in the island for two days, tomorrow and Thursday, during which time he will be working closely with Bridgeman and his assistant, Martin Watts.

‘Mike has a wealth of knowledge in coaching and in the general structure of the game.

‘I know that Martin and I will benefit greatly from his visit and hopefully we can pass that on to all Guernsey squash players, young and old,’ Bridgeman said.

The sessions are from 4.20pm to 7pm at Beau Sejour each day.

‘All coaches, players, parents and spectators are welcome – you can learn a lot just by watching,’ said Bridgeman.

This event is being partly supported by the funding the GSRA received recently from Blue Islands ‘Fly for Sport’.

‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the funds which we have received,’ said Bridgeman.