Alongside squash, a suitable court could welcome people for movement, games, learning and community activities. Develop the programme with residents, schools, local instructors and community organisations, around what people want and the space can support.
These are programming possibilities to assess locally, rather than an available timetable. Each activity needs a suitable surface, access, weather arrangements and delivery partner. Squash remains at the heart of the space.
Explore the activity ideas
Space to stretch and unwind
Movement & wellbeing
Yoga, stretching and mobility
Make time to stretch, move and unwind through instructor-led sessions.
Community value: Morning and lunchtime classes, with movement that can complement a squash session.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: A small-group mobility class or gentle stretch session, adapted by the instructor.
What it needs: Stable mats, a dry surface and a weather fallback. Assess mat grip, barefoot contact and the actual floor before offering a class.
Gentle movement together
Movement & wellbeing
Tai chi and qigong
Explore balance, coordination and flowing movement with a local instructor.
Community value: Regular community sessions with little equipment and opportunities to meet neighbours.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: An introductory sequence with room for participants to move at their own pace.
What it needs: Suitable footing, clear spacing and manageable weather. The instructor should assess the surface and adapt the movements.
Movement at your own pace
Movement & wellbeing
Standing and seated exercise
Join adaptable exercise shaped around participants’ abilities, confidence and goals.
Community value: Another welcoming reason to visit for people who may initially prefer exercise to squash.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: A supported movement class offering seated and standing options together.
What it needs: An accessible entrance, suitable stable chairs and an experienced instructor. Check chair feet, turning space and participant support needs on the installed floor.
Move, train and build confidence
Movement & wellbeing
Fitness and personal training
Build strength and confidence through small-group bodyweight sessions and personal training.
Community value: Local instructor opportunities and possible employee wellbeing sessions.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: A coached bodyweight circuit with clear stations and quick equipment changeovers.
What it needs: Small groups and a suitable exercise surface. No dropped weights or equipment attached to glass, walls or the court structure.
A ball, a wall and a first game
Play & discover
Wallball
Discover wall-and-ball play through introductory activities adapted to the space.
Community value: A simple way to introduce new groups to rebound games, with little equipment.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: A coached first-hit session using a suitable ball and agreed recreational boundaries.
What it needs: Trial the ball, wall rebound, floor and tin arrangement with the operator. Describe an adapted recreational game accurately; do not assume regulation wallball dimensions.
Throw, catch, balance and play
Children & families
Children’s movement games
Practise throwing, catching, balance and coordination through supervised games.
Community value: School, family and holiday activity with a possible introduction to squash afterwards.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: Soft-ball targets, balance challenges and movement stations in a supervised small group.
What it needs: Appropriate adult supervision, safeguarding and suitable soft equipment. Agree group size, emergency arrangements and parent or school involvement before delivery.
Roll, throw and aim together
Play & discover
Adapted target games
Explore rolling, throwing and aiming games designed with participants.
Community value: Shared play with adjustable equipment, distances, pace and goals.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: A recreational target challenge with seated or standing options and portable markers.
What it needs: Check ball roll, turning space and equipment with participants on the actual surface. These are adapted games, rather than a claim to provide a full competition boccia court.
Another reason to rally
Play & discover
Table tennis
Bring another familiar game into the space with a portable table.
Community value: Social sessions, family play and another reason to return.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: An introductory session or friendly rotation around a suitable portable table.
What it needs: Enough movement clearance, low wind and a secure storage and handling plan. Check the table’s wheels, stability and surface protection with the operator.
Move to music
Movement & wellbeing
Dance and Zumba
Explore locally led dance and movement-to-music classes.
Community value: Instructor-led sessions and community connections through music and movement.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: A small-group class adapted to the available floor, spacing and neighbourhood.
What it needs: Specialist checks on floor grip, turns, footwear and impact, plus weather and sound arrangements. An outdoor squash surface is not automatically a dance floor.
Controlled movement and strength
Movement & wellbeing
Mat Pilates
Explore controlled movement and strength through instructor-led mat sessions.
Community value: Another class option for residents and local instructors at quieter times.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: A small introductory mat class with exercises adapted by the instructor.
What it needs: An appropriate instructor, stable mats and a dry, suitable surface. Assess comfort, mat grip, ground-level movements and weather protection before programming.
Discover movement and technique
Community & culture
Non-contact martial arts
Discover patterns, footwork and technique with local martial arts instructors.
Community value: Community-led introductions, including possible Korean martial arts sessions in New Malden.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: An instructor-led demonstration or introductory movement sequence without sparring.
What it needs: The instructor and operator must agree a suitable floor, spacing and mats where needed. Exclude contact sparring, throws, breakfalls and weapons from this initial proposal.
Footwork, rhythm and fitness
Movement & wellbeing
Boxing fitness
Try non-contact footwork and conditioning in a coached session.
Community value: A different fitness entry point and opportunities for local instructors.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: Shadowboxing and bodyweight movement, with intensity adapted by the coach.
What it needs: A suitable surface, spacing and qualified delivery. No sparring, suspended punchbags or attachments to the court structure.
Meet, learn and share
Community & culture
Community workshops and demonstrations
Bring neighbours together through cultural activities, demonstrations and practical workshops.
Community value: Local partnerships, occasional community events and possible sponsored participation.
Session ideas & requirements
A session could include: A small wellbeing workshop or cultural demonstration organised with a community group.
What it needs: Suitable seating, clear access and exits, weather arrangements and playing-surface protection. Plan storage, cleaning and changeovers with the operator.
The rhythm of the neighbourhood
A week with more reasons to visit.
An illustrative pattern to develop with local people. Sessions, group sizes and opening times would follow the agreed operating plan.
Morning
Gentle movement
Mobility, tai chi or standing and seated exercise.
School day
Learn through play
Supervised coordination games, first rallies and school visits.
Lunchtime
A break to move
Small-group fitness or an employee wellbeing session.
After school and evening
Rallies and regular groups
Junior squash, adult recreation and selected instructor-led classes.
Weekend
Families and neighbours
Family play, introductions and occasional community demonstrations.
Built around local people
Start small. Grow around what people enjoy.
Begin with a few sessions led by existing instructors, schools and community organisations. Complement nearby clubs and leisure facilities, protect valued free space and give participants a route into regular activity.
At a suitable two-court location, one court could host a class while the other remains available for squash. Protect school sessions, affordable community access and popular squash times.
A mix of free, subsidised and paid sessions could support access and running costs. Instructor hire, employer-funded places and sponsored participation are options to assess against delivery, cleaning and changeover costs.
Review attendance, repeat visits, weather cancellations and whether people try squash afterwards. Expand around demonstrated demand and a sustainable local delivery team.
Tell us who you want to reach, what people already enjoy and which local organisations could help deliver it. Instructors can also suggest an activity and the facilities it would need.
An open-air court, a covered court and an enclosed venue offer different possibilities. Outdoor surfaces differ from indoor studio floors. Check mats, footwear, chair feet, wheelchair movement, equipment loads, exits, storage, sound and weather decisions with the operator and relevant specialists.
Design access with disabled participants from the outset. Children’s sessions need parent, guardian, school or authorised-organisation involvement and appropriate safeguarding.
Programming ideas reviewed . Resources inform planning; they do not certify a particular court for every activity. Access Courts is our partner; court and programme selection remain supplier-neutral.
