SquashBridge

SquashBridge will be a one-of-its kind athletic, educational and community center in Bridgeport for people of all ages and backgrounds, anchored by an intensive SEA youth development program that combines academic tutoring, squash instruction, mentorship, college access, and career development. SquashBridge will pursue a ‘no barriers’ approach to programming for its students, ensuring that they have the court access, coaching and support needed to become nationally competitive squash players, and that they have the dedicated classroom time, tutoring, and academic support to excel academically and have the option to go to college. SquashBridge will also expand the SEA model by launching seasonal and lighter dosage initiatives for children as young as five years old. The organization will have free and reduced-cost memberships for family members of its students, as well as other adults in Greater Bridgeport. SquashBridge will be a place where anyone can play squash and all are enthusiastically welcomed. Organizational and institutional partnerships will be core to SquashBridge’s success, with participants coming from nearby youth programs, schools, colleges, churches and other Bridgeport community organizations. SquashBridge has been incubated by and is partnered with the Squash and Education Alliance, which will own the new 15,000 square foot facility on Main Street and will absorb a portion of the building’s operating costs (management of facility operations will be the responsibility of SquashBridge). As a regional and national hub for the SEA network, the SquashBridge facility will have dedicated office space for up to five SEA staff and will regularly host SEA training camps and squads, staff and board retreats, meetings, seminars and conferences.