Youngsters getting to grips with squash at East Anglia Tennis and Squash Club, Norwich under the instruction of club coach David Youngs. Photo: Steve Adams

People who have been inspired by the Olympic Games to take up a new sport are being urged to try squash.

Squash may not yet be an Olympic sport but those involved in the game are lobbying hard for it to be included in the 2020 Games.

The International Olympic Committee will hold a vote next year to decide which additional sports will be included in the programme in eight years’ time. Ahead of the vote in September 2013, the Back the Bid 2020 campaign is set to gather pace.

World Squash Day will be held on Saturday, October 20 as a worldwide curtain-raiser of 11 months of campaigning. And in a bid to raise the sport’s profile, a Norfolk Squash and Racketball Week will be held next week.

The initiative, which will see the launch of a number of courses and opportunities for adults and children to take part in the sport, has been backed by Norfolk-born current men’s world number one James Willstrop.

The 29-year-old, who was born in North Walsham, said: “Squash is a fascinating challenge of skill, fitness, strength, endurance, speed and agility. It is a challenge to the mind. It is fun, and is easily played.”

There are more than 30 facilities in Norfolk where people can play squash and racketball. During Norfolk and Racketball Week, which starts Monday, six-week courses for adults will start at East Anglia Tennis and Squash Club in Lime Tree Road, Norwich, and at Rossi’s Leisure in North Walsham.

Call Active Norfolk on 01603 732333 for more information or to book.