Squash Is For Every Young New Yorker

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As the head of Open Squash's Junior Scholarship Programs, Julie Lilien has a mission. Her goal, like Open Squash’s, is for at least 20 percent of Open Squash juniors to be on some kind of scholarship. With that, Open Squash is seeking funding opportunities to support the growing program.

As a young woman, Julie went to private schools and found squash to be part of the milieu. “But that was a big problem for me,” she said. “I was very aware of the privileges I had and wanted to give back. It felt hypocritical to be part of this elite sport. I never wanted to play squash at a private club. Squash has been exclusive in New York for way too long. Open Squash’s mission and model is allowing for big changes on how the game is perceived.”

"We want young New Yorkers to be able to play with people of all different backgrounds," she said. "It's not about where you go to school but about your love of squash. At Open Squash, we also want all our juniors to play together, not in separate programs. So our for profit and scholarship students are on court alongside each other, whenever possible. We want juniors to start on a lifelong journey with us where doors can be open, not only to college but to connections and opportunities that may change their lives.”

A Master of Social Work by training, Julie has spent years running programs for nonprofits. In particular, she revamped systems for the city's Administration for Children's Services and Safe Horizon. In addition to her position at Open Squash, she is also a professional matchmaker, using her skills as a therapist to help her clients find relationships that work for them. She's a problem solver by nature, with the drive to affect change. During the past few years, Julie saw many young people traumatized by COVID. Against that difficult backdrop, squash programs can help young people connect and develop the social and physical skills they may have lost during this time.

Julie has played squash and competed at high levels since she was 12 years old. As an adult she has won over 15 national titles in the age and skill level division championships. Over the years, the squash community - and Open Squash- are integral parts of Julie’s life.

Over the past few years, Julie has led Open Squash programs with Hudson Guild, the Gift of Chess —which helps migrant children—and most recently, Success Academy, a charter school serving 17,000 students with 45 locations in New York City. She has seen many of these young people warm to the game and transform their outlook in a matter of weeks.

"I was coaching a young student who came through the first session with her head down. She didn't talk or participate. Now, 5 weeks later, as if a switch turned on, she is chatting with the coaches, hitting the ball, and thrilled about the game. She really stepped it up," Julie said. Her team leader reminded me of who she was in the first session. I could hardly believe it. That's the kind of transformation we're looking to replicate across the board."

Squash has quite a steep learning curve and Julie specializes in helping students get over it. Once they get the basic skills down in a few weeks and can make contact with the ball, many youngsters "get the bug," she said. “Squash, with its fast pace and demanding aerobic effort, can also provide a good focus and a healthy workout. Personally, I’m very aware that the endorphins we get from a good workout and especially from squash can really help improve our mindset and result in a general feeling of well being. And that’s exactly what many of our juniors need.”

"It’s not only students from lower income backgrounds that have hardships at home and can benefit from squash," Julie said. From migrant kids to wealthy kids, everyone has family or other life stressors. The key is to focus our juniors on competence, motivation, and structure, no matter where they’re from. And these youngsters are never more focused than they are when they're enjoying a good rally."

With squash becoming an Olympic sport in LA in 2028, Julie is keen to talk up the benefits of the game to more New Yorkers.

"All young New Yorkers need life skills like discipline, determination, and the drive to compete," she said. "These are so valuable on and off the court. Squash helped me succeed in school and in my life in ways that are almost immeasurable. And I don't think we should just be offering those benefits to people who play at the Harvard Club. Open Squash programs offer squash to a range of juniors from every neighborhood of NYC, no matter their resources.”

Bravo, Julie! If you'd like to find out more about Open Squash's junior scholarship program, get in touch. The organization is looking to partner with schools and funders around the city to scale the program. With a new eight-court facility in the downtown Financial District, the future looks bright.

Find out more at OpenSquash.org

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