Friends’ Central squash program on the rise with Coleman hire

Wynnewood >> Midway through the 2017-2018 season, the Friends’ Central varsity girls’ squash program suddenly found themselves searching for a coach.
Michelle Crowley, Director of Athletics and Wellness at Friends’ Central knew she had a golden opportunity to make a big splash to help the squash program raise the bar.
“When their varsity girls program needed to find a coach, Michelle reached out to me to see if we knew of any available coaches,” said Shane Coleman, who is the General Manager of The Cynwyd Club and was assisting the team with some hands-on practice coaching sessions.
With the possibility of finding a quality coach in the middle of a season on the low end of the spectrum, Coleman found himself adjusting his schedule so he could step in and finish out the Friends’ Central squash season as coach.
“Having Shane step in to take over the varsity girls’ program last winter was a seamless transition, because of his passion for the sport and for the development of young people,” said Crowley. “Most of the girls were already familiar with Shane because we (FCS) practice at Cynwyd Club and occasionally, he would step in to coach a practice.”
Immediately, the impact could be felt throughout the entire program. More important than the end results were the positive strides being made during practice and matches.
“He made an impact on how the girls saw themselves as squash players,” said Crowley. “Their confidence rose, and they were working not only to better themselves, but to better the team by holding each other accountable for what they would do in practice or in a match.”
Last summer, Crowley sat down with Coleman to discuss the possibility of him and his staff heading up the program to help Friends’ Central ascend to the level of the many other talented schools on the Main Line.
Coleman is no stranger to coaching at the high school level. Prior to partnering with Friends’ Central, Coleman was involved with the Harriton-Lower Merion squash program until 2012, when he had to step away due to an increased role at The Cynwyd Club.
“We are extremely excited to once again be involved at the high school level,” said Coleman. “We are very proud of the success and relationships built over the years with the Harriton-Lower Merion team; and since I left that program, from a coaching perspective in 2012, to take up other duties at The Cynwyd Club.
“I’m excited that I can once again be involved with an emerging school squash program at Friends’ Central. The relationship building with all of the squash and athletic staff of Friends Central School including Michelle Crowley, Phil Annas [Associate Director of Athletics and Wellness at Friends’ Central], current coach Wes Spahr and, most importantly, the players, over the past few years, coupled with our experience in running the Harriton-Lower Merion squash team, will give us a very good opportunity to really form a strong school squash program.”
Crowley said, “Having Shane Coleman and Gina Stoker, along with the other squash pros at Cynwyd Club along with our current coach Wes Spahr taking over the FCS squash program is going to make a huge difference from both the participation and the training standpoint. In addition to expanding the interest of the sport amongst our students, it will allow for more opportunities for players to develop and if they want, take their game to the next level.
“With the national training center coming to Philadelphia and squash being ranked as the 12th fastest growing sport in the USA over the last three years with a 32.6 percent increase in participation by SFIA, instruction from the Cynwyd Club professionals puts Friends’ Central in a strong position to raise the bar and compete with the many talented schools in the area.”