AN opportunity for youngsters to try out the game of squash is being afforded by Otley Squash Club.

The club is seeking to expand its junior membership and to offer the chance to youngsters to take up the game.

Each Friday in September the club will hold open evenings for youngsters to go along and try the game. Rackets and balls will be provided but participants must wear suitable court footwear.

The sessions will run from 6.40 pm and some of the club's senior players who copmpete in the Harrogate League will be on hand to offer coaching at these taster sessions.

Club press officer Paul Hickman said: 'We only have a handful of junior members at the moment and with youngsters in Otley saying they have nothing to do we thought we would throw our doors open and give them a chance to take up squash.'

'People seem to be put off because they think they have to buy expensive equipment to start with but that is not so. We will loan rackets and balls so that anyone can have an introduction to the game.'

The club is attached to Otley RUFC and the courts are next to the Otley Cricket Club pavilion at Cross Green.

So if you would like to take up the game go along any Friday in September from 6.40 pm. There is no age restriction - 'The younger we can get them the better,' said Paul.

The club is also short of lady players so anyone interested can go along. Fees at the club are modest at £18 for off peak membership or £47 for full membership for a year.

The Otley club runs nine inter-club divisions and players from the top two divisions play in the club teams in the Harrogate League where in recent seasons they have enjoyed great success.

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