About The CBS Hot Shots Inclusive Squash Club
Welcome to CBS Hot Shots, where passion for squash meets the power of inclusion. We are more than just a sports club; we are a close-knit community that believes in breaking barriers and creating a space where everyone can thrive.
The Big Picture
The CBS Hot Shots are the home team of the Canadian Inclusivity Squash Program: a pilot project championed by our head coach, Eric Hart. CISP provides a template for recreational squash programs that teach persons with disabilities who face barriers to accessing sport how to play squash and enjoy a fun, physical activity with others. We have already helped several other inclusive Canadian squash programs get off the ground!
Our Vision
We envision a future where squash clubs worldwide are fully inclusive organizations that embrace persons with disabilities as equal members of their club and the global squash community.
Our Purpose
To act as a catalyst and serve as a global model for squash clubs worldwide to realize this vision in their local communities.
Our Mission
To continue to run the program in a welcoming manner, to encourage growth in participation in the squash programs offered in CBS, to try to eliminate accessibility and inclusion barriers that participants face and to encourage the emergence of inclusive squash programs for people with disabilities by other squash associations, clubs and facilities in their geographical area.
How We Roll
As an organization delivering our programs these values are important.
Athletes First
We focus on the athletes and prioritize their best interest.
Inclusivity & Accessibility
We bring people together and remove accessibility barriers.
Collaboration
We do the work AND we do it together.
Boldness
We are ambitious and determined in our efforts.
Respect
We value everyone's knowledge and gifts. We communicate clearly and with integrity.
Physical Activity / Fitness
We encourage and promote health and fitness.
Constant Improvement
We embrace change, always seeking safer and more effective ways to coach players.
Good Sportsmanship
We promote fair, safe and enjoyable competition for all.
How Can We Help YOU?
Players:
By offering guided and facilitated programming tailored to the individual’s abilities:
- we offer no or low fees to participate, and we also provide equipment (i.e. racquets, wheelchairs, and safety equipment like goggles/over guards/face shields).
- sometimes individual players can be sponsored by one of our community sponsors and have all transportation/registration costs covered.
Parents/Supporters:
Our program is:
- tailored to the individual’s abilities; builds physical, mental, and social muscles;
- it runs from September to April; and
- it requires very little equipment and expense to participate.
Partners:
Our program provides a way to support and uplift the local community with:
- high visibility community building inclusivity initiatives
- marketing/networking opportunities.
- tax deductible charitable contributions (coming soon!) – we are a non-profit but not a registered charity so cannot provide this right now.
Head Coach
Eric Hart
Head Coach of the CBS Hot Shots
Creator of CISP
Committed offensive style player… Racket UP!
Our head coach, Eric Hart, is NCCP certified and has 20 years experience coaching softball and squash, including coaching for the Special Olympics. He’s been voted Coach of the Year in CBS 3 times and was awarded 2022 CBS Citizen of the Year. He created this program in 2019 and has been running and loving it ever since.
Credentials
- NCCP Certified Squash Club Coach
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Screening Certificate and/or Vulnerable Sector Check
- Many Coaching Certifications via NCCP
Loves
- An athlete who always tries their best; they will become the best squash player they can be.
- An inquisitive mind; it leads to paths never taken before!
Hates
- Vulgarity - I expect people to communicate without using vulgar words or expressions.
- Coconut - the scrunchiness as I bite makes me think of insects in my mouth. Yuck!
Assistant Coaches - Coming Soon!
Ben Smith
Ben has been an active member of CBS squash club for over 9 years and he's been on the 2023 Canada Games squash team. He's been a CISP coach since Oct 2022; is certified First Aid & CPR/AED level C.
Warren Butler
Warren has several years experience coaching squash programs ranging in age and skill level, including 3 years with inclusive squash and 2 years with the C.B.S junior program. He also participated in the Canada games squash training program and won several junior squash tournaments.
Our Board
Canadian Inclusivity Squash Program (CISP) – CBS, NL (aka CBS Hot Shots) is a non-profit corporation registered in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (January 14, 2020). CISP CBS-NL has three board of directors and is looking to add directors over the coming years. CISP-CBS, NL is not a registered charity.
Michelle Roach (Chair/Director)
Michelle is the parent of an adult son with Down's syndrome, who says "I have learned a great deal as an athlete from playing squash!" Michelle has been a coach with Special Olympics Placentia and now volunteers when needed for Special Olympics Mount Pearl. Michelle was fortunate enough to work with a group home that had five young ladies with a developmental/ intellectual disability and since then works at Revenue Canada for the last 24 years.
Eric Hart (Director)
Eric is a certified coach in squash, softball and badminton. He is the creator of the CISP program. Prior to that, in 1995 he organized and opened the Conception Bay South Junior Squash Program and acted as both President and Head Coach for 19 years. He served on the Board of Squash NL for 7 years as President or Vice-President. Eric was also a member of the Task Force that developed the 2021 - 24 Strategic Plan on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility for Squash Canada. He established the first Special Olympics Softball Program in Newfoundland in 2015 and has been Head Coach since day one. Eric has his B. Comm. degree from Memorial University and has earned his CGA, CMA, CPA and CIA designations.
Erin Nicole Brothers (Director)
Erin is the parent of a young adult with an Intellectual/Developmental Disability. She is a strong supporter of community-based organizations that make inclusion a reality by creating welcoming spaces for people of all ages and abilities. She has volunteered on a number of Boards with an inclusion mission over the years. For example, she was a key executive member that organized the annual conference for Sci Fi on the Rock. She also was part of the community center in her area that ensured appropriate programming was made available to the local population catering especially to those with disabilities. She is a MUN graduate with an honours degree in Art (Religious Studies). Erin's son has been a member of CISP since 2020 and loves the sport; he enjoys being challenged by his coaches, is thrilled to socialize with his squash friends every week, and is ecstatic to have won the Annual Inclusive Squash Championship in 2024.
Athlete Safety Is A Priority.
This program is for me if...
- I have a willingness/desire to learn squash.
- Am at least 12 years old.
- Even if I have financial or other barriers.
This program is NOT for me if...
- A health and safety risk for you is identified in your completed health form or during the introductory period.
- I have atlanto-axial instability of the neck and cannot get a doctor's note stating it is safe for me to play.
