IN CASE YOU MISSED PART I
MEET THE FAMILY

Part II – Coaching Squash

I had heard about Camron before I met him. Apparently, he is as diplomatic as I am, and probably some powerful people’s toes, with his passion and honesty. I knew we would get along just fine…

He had a background in martial arts (Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing), and he believed in sport for controlling energy, aggression, frustration, and developing mental and emotional strength.

“I discovered squash at 19” he explains, “and instantly loved it. It was combative, but without harming anyone. That really appealed to me, and I fell in love with the sport.”

His initial goal to get his kids to squash was to give Sue, his wife, a bit of a break. It provided quality time with his children.

“I used to take Curtis (5-6) and Perry (3) to the club on Sundays. It was just about quality time. We would set up cones, play little games, running, laughing, just chucking balls at each other, racing backwards, it was fun.

“The focus was on agility, balance, and coordination, not on creating squash champions. ‘Can you beat Daddy at this? Can you?’ It was just fun.”

Curtis’s talent was quickly recognised; by age seven, he was playing against older children and invited to a county squad, marking the family’s entry into competitive squash.

From Papa Bear to Coach Camron

“In truth, we couldn’t really afford to pay for coaching at that time” confesses Camron. ” We had three kids of the same age, roughly, Curtis, Perry and now, Torrie”.

Money and practicality really led the Head of the Malik Family to learn how to coach squash.

“It was a learning journey. I used to teach people things anyway, like military type things; I always had that ability and was suited as well to instruct and help people. I just had to migrate it across from my other skills into Squash: I wasn’t phased by the coaching side of things. It was a challenge, but I knew I could learn and grow as a person with them.”

The Maliks were members of the Copthorne Club. Camron was their first team captain, and logically, started coaching first his three kids.

As Mum and Dad went for a fourth child, they got stunning news: three boys were on the way: Heston, Bailey and Sumner. From coaching three to coaching six… The family moved to a bigger place, and bought a “Battle Bus”…

Coaching Individuals

How do you coach 6 kids, including triplets??

“I always felt people learn differently. Some learn by seeing, some by doing, and others by being told. Most systems use a one-size-fits-all approach, and I never believed in that”, explains Papa Bear.

“I tried to bring mental, emotional and physical strength together — that was my martial arts philosophy, and I applied it to squash. I taught my kids, it’s not just physical strength, there’s also mental and emotional strength, and if you can master those three and get them to work together, then you’ll bring real control. But it’s not easy to do..

Cam is a visual learner himself, drawing inspiration from observing professional players. He took his children to watch top-level matches (Canary Wharf, National League) from a young age (8-10) to learn and grow together.

He focused on developing sound technique but encouraged each child to express their individuality and personality in their play, resulting in distinct playing styles.

Was it an easy ride? Absolutely not.

“If our Team became successful, winning numerous county and regional titles – one county event, they won six of ten trophies as a family – financial struggles were a significant hurdle; we often booked one hotel room for all eight members when travelling for tournaments.”

Constraints meant they couldn’t always afford England squad training, especially for distant locations. This led to a deliberate strategy of self-sufficiency: the children trained extensively together, providing built-in training partners, and the father managed transport in a “battle bus.”

The family now operates as a joint business, with Dad acting as manager, coach, and financial controller, working alongside his children. His wife also works as a teaching assistant – yes, looking after 6 kids was not enough work for her apparently…

“You know, the thing I most proud of when it comes to my children? Not trophies. Not rankings. I’m proud of the people they have become: driven, kind, loving, respectful. I believe things happen for a reason, even when they are unbearably painful. What we went through as a family strengthened us, and that bond will never break.”