Last updated 05:13, Friday, 31 October 2008

A SQUASH club has been set up as a new after-school activity for pupils of James Rennie School in Carlisle.

Ronnie and Paul Bell, from Carlisle Squash Club, will coach the first eight players for two months.

The club has been founded by James Rennie’s extended schools co-ordinator Debbie Richardson.

It follows her visit to an event held by the Cumbria Sport Partnership when she met Jon Gibson, from England Squash.

He ran a pilot event at the school before joining forces with Carlisle Squash Club.

The pupils visit the Warwick Road squash club every Wednesday, accompanied by teaching assistants and school staff.

Debbie said: “It’s great we’ve got this new activity up and running for the pupils. The first session was last week and we already have two girls among the first eight. That is good because it is recognised take-up of such clubs by girls with special educational needs is lower than among boys.”