Olivia Taylor has opened the doors of US Squash's Arlen Specter Center HQ with an award-winning junior programme that's getting rackets in hands amongst the local Philadelphia community.
The influence of Taylor, a 24-year-old from northern England, has been crucial in connecting the $41 million flagship facility with the potential grassroots participation base on its doorstep.
Since opening in 2021, the spectacular 20-court Arlen Specter Center has had a frequent turnover of head coaches. But since arriving in November 2024 as in-house Squash Pro and Head of Junior Programming, Taylor has laid down roots and built local relationships to introduce new young audiences to the game.
Starting virtually from scratch, Taylor has done the hard yards of taking rebound nets and equipment into local state schools to promote the game to kids and parents, and raise awareness of the opportunities at the facility.
When we speak, Taylor and assistant pro Joe Robinson are about to host the first of seven weekly summer camps, which will see 130 children take part in squash-themed skill-building, games, fitness and fun activities every day.
The camps are so popular that two girls travel all the way from North Carolina.
"The kids absolutely love it," Taylor tells Squash Player. "It's so nice when parents tell us, 'The kids couldn't sleep because they were so excited about coming back!'"
During school term time, up to 50 kids come in for clinics catering for all playing levels, which operate in addition to private one-to-one lessons, the Philly Scholastic League and the National Squash Academy.
Olivia initiated the Spark membership at the Specter Center. This grants free membership to under-10s and now totals 35 kids, who come in weekly for clinics and camps.
The work of Taylor and the Specter Center team was recognised in June as their junior programme won the LOVE Award for 'Best Youth Sports Program' by Philadelphia Family. The LOVE Awards, founded in 2013, celebrate businesses and non-profits in the Philadelphia area.
The award noted the Center's work in making squash "accessible, inclusive and impactful for the next generation of players."
Kimbley Lightner, Vice President of Facility Operations at the Arlen Specter Center, said: "Together, we’ve created an environment where young people can develop not only as athletes, but as confident, resilient and engaged members of the community.”
So, as squash tries to change its elitist image in the U.S. and extricate itself from the chokehold of the college recruitment process, what tips can Olivia share on making squash accessible and promoting the game simply for enjoyment and enrichment, rather than as a expedient Trojan horse into the Ivy League?
"Keep it fun!" she says. "For kids, ultimately it's about the energy you get from the coach. If a coach is not very welcoming, and isn't positive and enthusiastic, kids might not enjoy the experience.
"Parents say to me, 'They had a really fun time meeting you! They loved your English accent! Now they really want to try it.' That shows the coach is the crucial factor."
Having done the groundwork in schools to attract kids to the beginners' group sessions, Taylor finds that word of mouth often does the rest. She explains: "We said to a first-timer, 'Bring in five friends and we'll give you all a free session.' That group of six is now doing a clinic every Sunday morning and are retained in that weekly programme."
Olivia is the daughter of Nick Taylor, the English former world no.14, World Masters title winner, founded of NTA Academy in Boston and now US National Head Coach. She worked as his assistant in Boston and moved to Philadelphia with him when he got the national role. Olivia is also partner of England international Sam Todd.
As well as her grassroots work with school children, Olivia still relishes coaching elite-level juniors. She leads the Specter Center's high-performance National Squash Academy and coaches the US team at the annual Battle of the Border clash against Canada.
"I love the grassroots and my aim is always to get those players playing at a higher level, competing and being the best they can be," she says.
"In Boston me and my dad ran one of the most successful academies in America and worked with the best players in the country. Philadelphia has almost been a complete flip — and it's been a lot grafting and hard work, trying to bring new kids in and build it from the ground up.
"I have to say to the kids in schools, 'The national centre is 10 minutes' walk away, and this sport is going to be in the Olympics!' Most had no idea. That's why it's so satisfying when you get a player from school and they become part of the academy. The hard work has very much been worth it."
