SquashBridge Provides Bridgeport Students Access to Elite Sport and Education

Bridgeport students gain access to elite sport

About 60 students in Bridgeport are spending their afternoons learning squash, a sport often associated with high-income suburban families, according to reporting from ctpost.com.

The SquashBridge Scholars program, located on Bridgeport’s Main Street, provides third through sixth graders with a combination of athletic training and academic support. Because the nonprofit is funded by private donors, the program is available to local students at no cost.

The initiative aims to break down socioeconomic barriers to entry in a sport that is frequently used as a tool for exclusion. By providing access to these facilities and instruction, the organization seeks to place urban students in spaces and conversations they might not otherwise encounter.

Liana Cunningham, the program director at SquashBridge, noted that squash players in the United States typically come from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, with higher levels of income and education. This trend is supported by data from the Racquet Sports Institute, which found that squash players often stem from wealthier demographics.

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“What we’re trying to do here is provide access to a sport that is typically not available to students who live in a city like Bridgeport, which then gives them more access into places where squash is used as an exclusion tactic,” Cunningham said.

Students rotate between squash courts and classroom activities

The program operates on a five-day-a-week commitment immediately following the school day. Students follow a structured schedule where they rotate between the squash courts and classroom settings.

While one group works with squash professionals like director Amr Abdelmaksoud, the other group utilizes the facility’s library and classrooms for homework, literacy, and enrichment activities. After approximately one hour, the groups switch roles to ensure every student receives both athletic and educational instruction.

To maintain the program’s efficacy, SquashBridge enforces a strict attendance policy. While the organization provides transportation for students attending partner schools—including Achievement First, Columbus School, Adam J. Lewis Academy, St. Raphael Academy, and St. Augustine Academy—some participants must arrange their own travel to reach the Main Street location.

Founding Executive Director Simba Muhwati explained that the entry process involves basic assessments of a student’s drive and hand-eye coordination. Since squash is a new sport for many of these children, the staff does not expect immediate proficiency.

The long-term vision for the Scholars program is centered on upward mobility. Cunningham stated that the ultimate goal is to prepare students for entry into elite private schools, boarding schools, and eventually colleges, either through competitive squash or academic access programs.

SquashBridge also maintains a community club for adults to ensure students see the sport as a lifelong activity. By observing adults engaging in physical fitness and stretching, children learn that the sport extends well beyond their school years.

The program is currently serving students through the sixth grade, meaning the full impact of this cohort’s trajectory will not be measurable for several years.

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