Squash

The Cambridge Athletic Club is the o n l y p u b l i c s q u a s h c l u b i n C a m b r i d g e a n d i s regarded as one of the premier squash venues in the Boston area. The club boasts a well-organized squash program, and the best squash pros in the area...making it the place to play!

The program features very active intermediate and beginner ladders and attracts many highly ranked players in the region. The squash program includes: round-robins, box ladders, challenge ladders, leagues, beginner clinics, and private squash lessons.

It’s really easy to get started! Contact Naji Khan, our Racquet Sports Program Director, to get your level-rating. Once you obtain a level-rating, you will be directed to the appropriate programs. And, if you prefer, he will forward you a list of playing partners (at the same level) that you can contact.

Round-Robins:

Players have the opportunity to participate in organized, competitive round-robins that are held on designated nights each week. The club reserves courts and organizes the event so all players need to do is come play. The round-robins, which are managed by one of our squash pros, prove to be a great opportunity to get a level-rating from the squash pro and to meet other members that play at the same level. It also provides a great opportunity to further discuss some of the other squash programs at the club with our squash pro. The round-robins schedule is updated each season to meet the demands of the squash membership.

"Fall" Round-Robins Schedule (effective October 17th)

Monday:

              6:00-7:30pm [lower-intermediate]

              sign-up available @ 3pm Monday.

 
             7:30-9:00pm [upper-intermediate]
              sign-up available @ 3pm Monday. 
Friday: 
             6:00-7:30pm [beginner]
              sign-up available @ 3pm Friday. 
Saturday: 
             3:45-5:15pm [intermediate]
              sign-up available @ 12pm Saturday

Each round-robin is limited to 6 players. Participants must sign-up through the Front Desk on the same day as the round-robin (at the designated time). Call the Front Desk at 617-491-8989. New members, beginners, and advanced players are required to register with Naji Khan, the Racquet Sports Program Director.

Boxed Ladder:

The Box Ladder is a monthly competition that is made-up of several different player brackets in which all the players (at their respective playing levels) play each other. The overall winner of each bracket will move-up to the next level bracket. The person who finished last in their respective bracket will move down to a lower bracket. Needless to say, it’s a great way to find playing partners.

Challenge Ladder:

The Challenge Ladder is a competitive ranking system where players are ranked (by the squash pro) and posted on the Challenge Ladder. To climb the ladder, players must challenge and beat players that are listed above them. The sign-up is located on the Squash Bulletin Board.

Leagues:

The club fields a number of teams in the Massachusetts Squash league each year. In fact, we presently planning to field men’s 3.5 and women’s 2.5 teams participating in the league. During previous years the members of CAC have captured the state team championship numerous times. We're hoping to have another fun, successful year!

The team matches are played once each week against teams from other clubs in the Boston area. The squash league runs from October 2010 through March 2011. We have more information about the league posted on the Squash Bulletin Board at the club. If you're interested in participating on one of the club teams contact the Squash Program Director.

Beginner Clinics:

The Beginner Squash Clinic take place twice each month with one of our squash pros. They are free of charge for CAC members. They are designed for individuals who have little or no squash playing experience. Instruction includes a basic introduction to the rules, scoring, strokes, serve, serve return, strategy, and more. It is also a great opportunity to meet members at a similar playing level.

The next Beginner Squash Clinic is scheduled on Tuesday, January 10th (6:45-8:15pm). Each session is limited to 4-participants. Contact Naji Khan, the Racquet Sports Program Director, to sign-up.

Private Squash Lessons:

Niamat Khan, the head squash pro, is available for private lessons. Please contact Niamat directly for more information.

Court Reservations:

Members can reserve courts up to three (3) days in advance at the Front Desk. Each reservation must include two members to secure a court reservation. Court reservations are restricted to Gold members only - both players must be Gold members to reserve a court. Players that are not Gold can use the courts (for a fee) on a drop-in basis.

Racquet Rental:

$2 per racquet. A valid photo ID (which will be held at the Front Desk) is required to rent a racquet.

Racquet Re-stringing:

$40 per racquet. Racquets are re-strung within 48-hours from pick-up. Please contact the Squash Program Director for more information.

Our Squash Pros:

Niamat and Naji Khan have each played professional squash for more than 25-years. They now devote their time to teaching beginners and juniors, coaching advanced players, and developing squash programs. They have served as Head Squash Professional at the Harvard Club of Boston, Back Bay Racquet Club, Waverley Oaks Athletic Club, and the Boston Sports Clubs. Niamat is also a coach at the Belmont Hill School.

The Khan brothers come from a long-line of distinguished squash players comprising the world famous "Khan Dynasty of Squash." The Khan family has dominated the sport of squash for decades. They have won more squash champhionship titles than any family (in any sport) in history. They are known throughout the world as the "first family of squash." Their father, grandfather, uncles, cousins and older brother have all held world squash titles. The family holds the record for the most British Open and North American Open squash titles...two of the most prestigious titles in squash. Five members of the family (which includes their father) are the only players to have ever won both the world hardball and softball squash championships. Three of the Khans are the only players to have won the world hardball and softball squash titles during the same year. Their cousin (Jahangir) is regarded as the best professional squash player to have ever played the sport. He has the record for the longest winning streak in professional squash (555 matches over 5-years) and won the longest professional match ever played (2 hours 46 minutes). There have been books, countless articles, and even a documentary (currently in theaters) about the family's rise and dominance of the sport.