Fram Gommendy reports
An excellent work from former England former world No. 3 Linda Elriani – you read her super match reports for years when she was organising the Weymuller tournament in NY – once again, no surprise there.
Linda, now US Squash Senior Director of Professional Development and Programming, chatted in Squash Magazine with former PSA and Belgium Team player Katline Cawels, who emigrated to the US with her husband, Shawn Moxham a few years back .
If Shawn’s name rings a bell, you might remember his successful association with David Palmer…
Now firmly implanted in two MS Squash centers, Port Chester, NY, and South Norwalk, CT, Katline and her family are going from success to success. Her children, Maddox and Savannah, are making their mark on the Junior circuit, while Katline’s just received a US Squash nomination for the USOPC National Coach of the Year award.
Learn more about this extraordinary lady …
Linda – Huge congratulations on becoming the first female recipient of the ‘USOPC National Coach of the Year’ since 2011. What does this mean to you?
Katline – Receiving this award is a very proud and happy moment for me. While the fact that I am the first female coach since 2011 may add a unique dimension, it is the recognition itself that holds true value for me.
Although the coaching landscape remains predominantly male, I prefer not to emphasize this aspect when celebrating my achievement. Instead, I take immense pride in this award because it reflects the dedication and commitment of our entire team. Each day, we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the rhythm and lives of our athletes, striving to elevate their performance and well-being.
This recognition is a testament to our collective effort and passion. I consider this award an award for our entire team…
There is not one athlete at MSquash that is only coached by 1 coach or me only. Each athlete has a team of 10+ coaches and sports science experts behind them.
Linda – What part(s) of your job do you enjoy the most?
Katline – For me, it’s not about which part of my job I love the most; it’s the outcome I’m striving for. That outcome is growth, and the precise moment a player realizes their potential.
I believe we are the facilitators, opening doors to a future where players can envision themselves. Sometimes, it’s a high-pressure session that propels them to that realization. Other times, it’s a match where they reach a level of squash they’ve never played before, perhaps defeating an opponent they’ve never beaten.
Other times, it’s a mindset session where they grasp the message that they can achieve whatever they aspire to, provided they possess the courage, determination, belief, and trust to pursue their dreams with us.
Therefore, I can’t pinpoint a single aspect I enjoy the most; it varies for each player. You must engage in all these facets to achieve the desired outcome.
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