Holmer Green Squash and Racketball Club (HGSRC) members were treated to a masterclass by three-time world champion Nick Matthew on Friday.

The former world number one coached and played against some of Holmer’s junior players before taking on fellow pro Alex Noakes.

Matthew also played a number of the club’s senior players and says he is always eager to give back to local clubs.

“It is rewarding, not just with the kids but with people of all ages. Inspiring people who have maybe not seen squash for years to take up the sport is nice,” Matthew explained.

“You have the biggest influence with the kids but it is always surprising how people connect with the sport when it is being played in front of them.”

The exhibition formed a central column of the club’s 40th anniversary year in which they will look to build on winning the Bucks Junior League title last season.

Chairman, David Albin, believes Matthew’s attendance at the club can only have a positive impact on their junior members.

“I think it is a massive inspiration because they don’t see much squash on TV and to get the chance to see Nick in person, play with him and get some tips from him is something you can’t buy,” Albin said.

“It would be fantastic if Nick could inspire them to replicate him. We have a few nationally ranked players and if they get a few tips and hopefully follow in his footsteps it would be great.”

Albin’s affiliation with HGSRC spans half of the clubs 40 year existence and he is eager to expand their membership at both junior and senior level.

He has seen the appetite for the sport grow in that time and says attracting young players has been key to the club’s growth.

“I think the big thing over the past six to eight years is a real investment in juniors at the club. We had around 10 juniors six years ago and now we have 60 odd,” he said.

“That has been really important because it gets parents who maybe haven’t touched a racket in years back on court to play with their sons and daughters.”

Matthew is also keen to encourage participation at grassroots level and views his involvement with local clubs as an essential part of his role within the sport.

He cites a lack of involvement at the Olympics as one of the roadblocks to increasing participation, but says the sport can still grow.

“I enjoy coming to these sort of sessions because you are touching base with the grassroots level of the sport really,” Matthew explained.

“You look at the lack of Olympic inclusion and the fact that is a showcase for less mainstream sports. Kids see the Olympics and say ‘wow I saw the handball and the hockey’.

“Squash doesn’t get that, but there are a lot of school teams in this area which is a fantastic way to grow the sport and we are slowly chipping away.”

HGSRC are always on the lookout for new players of any age or skill level. To register interest in joining the club email membership@hgsrc.co.uk or visit www.hgsrc.co.uk.