Northern Squash Club has a team of qualified coaches offering sessions for juniors and adults at every level - from complete beginners picking up a racket for the first time to competitive players looking for that extra edge.
Richard Vitty runs Saturday junior sessions that have been a cornerstone of the club's development programme for many years. His schools outreach work has introduced the game to hundreds of young people across the region, and many of Northern's current junior members found their way to the club through Richard's sessions. Weekday sessions provide additional court time for committed juniors looking to develop further.
Bob Aynsley runs group coaching sessions for adult beginners and improving players, as well as individual coaching by arrangement. Sessions cover technique, movement, strategy, and conditioning. If you're not sure which option is right for you, get in touch with the relevant coach directly - contact details are below.
Northern Squash Club has five qualified coaches, each bringing their own specialism to the court.
Richard Vitty
England Squash Level 4 CoachRichard is Northern's head coach and one of the most experienced squash coaches in the North East, with over 40 years of coaching behind him.
Qualified to England Squash Level 4 - the highest coaching qualification available - Richard has coached juniors from their very first steps on court all the way through to county standard. His Saturday junior sessions are a fixture in the club calendar, and his schools outreach programme has brought the game to a new generation of players across the region. A former senior county player himself, Richard brings both competitive insight and a genuine love of the game to everything he does.
Bob Aynsley
England Squash Coach of the Year 2023Bob was named England Squash Coach of the Year 2023 - recognition that reflects his exceptional ability to develop players at every level of the game.
An England Squash Level 2 qualified coach with 40 years of playing experience, Bob specialises in adult group sessions for beginners and improving players, as well as individual coaching by arrangement. Sessions cover technique, movement, strategy and conditioning, always in an environment that is challenging but genuinely enjoyable.
Bob holds current DBS, First Aid and Child Protection certifications.
Tom Cornell
England Squash Level 2 CoachTom is a Level 2 certified coach with more than five years of experience working with junior players, and a competitive record that spans both squash and racketball.
A county squash player from Under 11 to Under 19 level, Tom now competes in the Northumbria Premier League. Away from squash he is the reigning county racketball champion and a three-time Northern club racketball champion - a versatility that brings real depth to his coaching. His extensive experience with juniors and his own high-level competitive background make him a natural fit for players who want to push themselves.
Matthew Thompson
England Squash Level 2 CoachMatthew has been playing squash since the age of seven, representing his county at every junior age group along the way and competing regularly in national England Squash competitions.
A previous Junior County Champion, Matthew now plays for Northern's league teams and holds an England Squash Level 2 qualification. His own journey through junior squash - from first picking up a racket to county standard - gives him a natural empathy with players at every stage of development.
John Thompson
England Squash Level 2 CoachJohn was Northern's Junior Player of the Year in 2019 - the culmination of a junior squash career that began at age seven and took him through county representation at every age group.
A previous Junior County Champion and regular competitor in national England Squash competitions, John now plays for Northern's league teams as an England Squash Level 2 qualified coach. His award-winning junior career gives him first-hand insight into what it takes to progress as a young squash player.
