ENGLAND Squash is hoping to increase participation levels among children and young people in the Olympic's newest sport -  with a series of events taking place in Hampshire.

Squash Stars is a programme introduced by England Squash that is hoping to provide children with equipment and coaching while developing key skills.

It will offer children aged between five and nine the chance to experience the benefits of sport ahead of an Olympic summer.

Sport England’s latest active lives survey, unveiled that less than half of children and young people in the UK are meeting the government guideline of sixty minutes of exercise a day.

Hampshire is hosting six sessions at the start of 2024, set to take place from February onwards at Bounty Squash Club, Whitchurch Longmeadow Squash Club and Fair Oak Squash Club.

Expert coaches will help participants improve their hand-eye coordination and all-round physical literacy, as well as contribute to the development of important life skills.

The six-week local Squash Stars programme costs £42 – or £7 for each session. Every child who signs up will be given a free racket, t-shirt, ball, goggles and kit bag to keep.

Head of partnerships and communities at England Squash, Joanna Rowbottom said: “With the ongoing battle to get young people active across the country, there is a huge responsibility for sports to act now and protect future generations.

"Sport has the power to drive commanding positive change across lives and communities which is why we are so committed to giving young people the chance to try a new sport.

“We’re entering the most exciting era in the sport’s history, with squash confirmed as part of the Olympic programme for LA 2028.

"It’s important to remember that this opportunity exists not only on the major stages of professional sport but also translates into huge potential to increase participation in this brilliant sport.

"We hope that Squash Stars is the start of a very exciting squash journey for many.”

This will be the fifth intake of the programme since it began in 2022. You can book a place for a child by going to the Squash Stars website.