Fast Paced
Physical
Strategic
Exhilarating
Welcome to CRLS Squash!
Squash was first established as a club sport at CRLS in 2024-25, and we are excited to build on the energy and successes of our inaugural season! CRLS students will learn the fundamentals of the game and compete on the CRLS Squash Team against area schools, including Brookline, Wellesley, Acton-Boxborough, Concord-Carlisle, SquashBusters, and Beaver Country Day School. Our program takes place at Harvard University’s Murr Center, home to Harvard’s top-ranked men’s and women’s varsity squash teams.
Squash is a winter season sport. No previous experience is required, all levels are welcome.* This is a unique opportunity for CRLS students to participate in a dynamic new winter sport!
*Space is limited Assessments will be held in mid-November – if interest exceeds capacity coaches will make any cuts as necessary.
Team Info
Season Dates: [ Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 ]
Pre-season Open Houses:
Fri, Nov 7, 5:30-7pm
Weds, Nov 12, 4-6pm
Fri, Nov 14, 5:30-7pm
RSVPs are appreciated! (but not required).
Assessments/Tryouts:
Weds, Nov 19. 4-6pm
Fri, Nov 21, 4-6pm
In-season Team practice/schedule:
Weds, 4-5:30pm
Fri, 4-5:30pm
Sun, 9-10:30am
(Some matches may be played on Saturdays)
Location: Harvard Murr Center**, 65 N. Harvard St, Allston
The Murr Center is right across the JFK Bridge from Harvard Square, an easy 25-min walk from CRLS, and on the 66/86 bus routes. It is also convenient to drop off students in the parking lot, and paid visitor parking is available.
Players should come appropriately dressed and bring a squash racket, non-marking court shoes (no black soles), safety glasses/goggles, a water bottle, and towel. (We can loan rackets and safety glasses to players who do not have them.)
Practices will involve a combination of drills, games, match play, and fitness. All fundamentals will be covered. We expect players to do their best to attend all scheduled practices. Any player who needs to miss a practice must inform coaches ahead of time.
We are grateful to Harvard Squash for allowing us to share their courts at the Murr, home to Harvard University’s top-ranked Men’s and Women’s Varsity teams. Players are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous and respectful manner at all times, to respect Harvard property, and adhere to all rules and regulations.
**This is not a Harvard University event and is not controlled, presented, or supervised by Harvard University or any of its schools or programs.
Matches
Our team fields 7 “official” players for each match. Additional players are rostered if the opposing team also has additional players.
Regular in-house “challenge matches” between team members determine the seeding ladder.
Coaches determine the roster for each match. Our goal is for all team members to have opportunities to play matches against opponents of similar ability, and to enjoy fair and fun competition.
Most matches will take place on Weds or Fri, but matches may also be scheduled for other days, including Saturday. The team will play both Home and Away matches.
Our match schedule will be posted on our Team page in Club Locker.
Coaching
Jonathan Henke is a CRLS parent and former juniors coach. He has worked with youth squash programs in the past.
Andrew Frishman is a CRLS parent and former varsity college squash player and juniors coach. He is also our financial manager.
Contact Us
Milo Miller ’28 is the CRLS Squash Club founder, player coordinator, and captain of the CRLS Squash Team. He is a MA top 10 player in his age division and competes regularly on the junior tournament circuit.
Students who are interested in joining the team should contact Milo by email.
Tien-Yi Lee is our program coordinator and parent liason. For general questions, to volunteer with us, or to receive news/updates, please contact Tien-Yi by email.
Why Squash?
Squash has been called the “ultimate sports game.” Its fast-paced nature can help improve cardiovascular health, agility, and hand-eye coordination, and build physical fitness, mental stamina, and discipline. Additionally, squash enhances strategic thinking as players need to adjust their tactics constantly during each game.
Squash is a great game for high school students because it’s social, relieves stress (hit a ball against a wall as hard as you can), and most of all, fun! An “all-ages” game, squash can help students establish a lifelong appreciation for physical activity. And with its addition to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, squash’s popularity and visibility are on the rise.
Unfortunately, squash has often been considered an “elitist” sport due to its association with private clubs and private schools. Expensive lessons, limited court access, and lack of school teams has made it historically difficult for public school students to participate. By establishing this public school squash program at CRLS, we are excited to bring the exhilarating sport of squash to students from all backgrounds.
The CRLS Squash program has been brought to fruition by our dedicated team of volunteer coaches, assistants, and parents. We are supported by grants from US Squash, MA Squash, and the City of Cambridge. We wish to thank Steve Lantos, MASQ’s Commissioner of Public School Squash, Tom Arria, CRLS Athletic Director, FOCA (Friends of Cambridge Athletics), and the coaching team at Harvard University Squash for their support of this initiative to bring squash to public schools.
FAQ
Is the CRLS squash team a real team?
Yes! We are officially recognized by US Squash, the sport’s national governing body. At this time we are not an “official” CRLS varsity team, meaning that we do not operate under the umbrella/budget of the CRLS Athletic Department, but this is one of our goals for the near future. We are a “club” team this year, and hope to become an official CRLS Varsity sport in 2026-2027.
What equipment is needed for squash?
Each player needs a squash racket, non-marking court shoes (no black soles), and protective glasses/goggles for safety. Players should wear comfortable, breathable clothing and bring a water bottle and towel. We will provide equipment for any player who is not able to provide their own. Equipment recommendations >
Is it hard to learn to play squash?
As with any sport, improvement takes practice! But because squash takes place in an enclosed court, it is relatively accessible to beginners – players are usually able to get the hang of the basics pretty quickly and can start playing games and having fun. (Less ball chasing than tennis!) At more advanced levels, players need quick reflexes, hand-eye coordination and stamina, and strategy and fitness become increasingly important. Local squash instruction >
What are the benefits of playing squash?
Playing squash can equip students with a variety of valuable skills. It enhances physical fitness, including cardiovascular endurance, strength, agility, and overall health due to the game’s fast-paced nature. Students also improve their hand-eye coordination and reflexes as they learn to hit the ball accurately while moving. Squash also fosters strategic thinking, requiring players to engage in tactical planning and quick decision-making. Regular practice instills discipline, focus, and the ability to concentrate under pressure. While games are played individually, a squash team promotes collaboration and sportsmanship, teaching students to support their peers and handle both victories and defeats graciously. As players improve, they build confidence in their abilities, making squash a beneficial activity for personal development.
Can a middle schooler join the team?
High school students are given priority for our programs, but Cambridge public school 8th graders may join if we have open spots available. This is up to the discretion of the coaches.
About Squash:
What is US Squash?
US Squash is the national governing body for the sport of squash in the United States. It oversees the sport at all levels, from recreational play to professional competition. US Squash helps develop junior/youth and college squash programs, organizes national championships, and manages rankings and ratings for players through Club Locker. Its mission is to grow the sport’s community across all age groups and skill levels.
What is Club Locker?
Club Locker, developed by US Squash, is a comprehensive online platform used to manage all aspects of the sport of squash. It serves as the central hub for player statistics, league organization, tournaments, matches, and events. Every “official” squash match played is recorded on Club Locker. Every registered player, from novice to pro, has a record of their matches, ratings, rankings, and progress.
How does a squash match work?
In a squash match, two players take turns hitting a ball to the front wall inside of an enclosed court. The objective is to win points by making the ball bounce more than once before your opponent can return it. Matches use the point-a-rally (PAR) system, where each rally results in a point, and games are played to 11 points (must win by 2). The first player to win 3 games (best of 5) wins the match.
How does a squash team match work?
In a high school squash team match, each team fields 7 players, seeded by skill level. Players face their corresponding seed on the opposing team (e.g., #1 vs #1). Matches are best-of-5 games. The team that wins the majority of individual matches (4 out of 7) wins the overall team match. Matches are usually played in order, starting from lower-ranked players to higher-ranked ones.
An individual best-of-5 squash match between two novice players may typically last 15-30 minutes. For more advanced players, matches may last 45-60 minutes.
Squash ratings are numerical values used to measure a player’s skill level, ranging from 1.0 (beginner) to 7.0 (professional). They are calculated based on match results, factoring in wins, losses, and the skill level of opponents. The higher the rating, the better the player. Ratings help ensure fair matchups in leagues and tournaments by allowing players of similar abilities to compete against one another. Unlike squash rankings, which are based on points earned from accredited tournaments, ratings directly reflect a player’s individual performance and skill. Check out this table of how ratings correspond to levels of play.