A NEW series of squash nights for ladies and girls has started up at Craighelen Lawn Tennis and Squash Club in Helensburgh.

The new club night has been organised by member Becca Welsh, who is hoping to encourage more females to take up squash at Craighelen.

The aim of the night is to give women and girls of all abilities the chance to play squash as part of an informal and sociable session.

There was a fantastic turnout for the first night, with 14 players welcomed onto the courts, many of whom were new to the game.

Kieran Martin, the club’s squash convenor, settled the new players into the swing of the game by offering some basic coaching and encouragement, which saw the ladies and girls having fun on the courts.

Two of the club’s junior members, Emma and Helen Niblock, took part in the evening, showing great promise for the future of female squash at the club.

Squash provides a great workout at all levels and is one of the highest calorie-burning sports available.

The club night will be held weekly on Mondays from 7pm until 9pm, and is free to all Craighelen lady members.

With the first session free for non-members and rackets available to borrow from the club on the night, it makes it easy for beginners to start out in the sport and experience the benefits that playing squash offers.

In the future, Craighelen would like to be able to enter teams into the West of Scotland ladies’ squash league, which will offer female players a pathway into the competitive game if they so wish.

With junior membership at only £20 per year and a new adult first-year membership of £99 (or £49.50 from October 1 to March) entitling members to play squash and tennis, it’s a great club to join.

Visitor fees are £3 for juniors and £5 for adults for limited sessions.

If anyone would like any more information about playing squash or tennis at Craighelen, please contact the club through the website www.craighelen.net or via the Facebook page.

Becca said: “If you’d like to take part in the Ladies Squash Night on a Monday night from 7pm until 9pm, please come along and join us – we look forward to seeing you!”

Craighelen already has an active squash section, with two teams in the West of Scotland leagues, playing matches weekly between October and March.

Club squash is played on a Friday evening from 6pm onwards, and on Saturdays from 3-5pm. Visitors are welcome to play up to five times (£3 per visit) before being asked to join.