Physical therapists Jamie Bredahl (left) and Martin del Prado (right) are ready for the games to begin!
Each year, Squash enthusiasts and fans turn to watch some of the world’s greatest Squash players compete at J.P.Morgan’s Tournament of Champions. This year, once again SPEAR was honored to be the official physical therapy providers of the event! The tournament ran from Jan 9th-17th at world-famous Grand Central Terminal here in New York City, an ideal location for an event with such buzzing energy!
Treating physical therapists Michelle Rooney and Ryan Coye
An active and intense sport, Squash requires plenty of focus, skill, and athletic ability. Physical therapy not only promotes exceptional performance, but also keeps the body in tip-top shape by helping to prevent injury. Our team was more than eager to help out these incredible athletes. Many of our physical therapists offered their time and services to standby in the sidelines, setting up stations to administer treatment to players as needed. The program was led by Dave Endres, Physical Therapist, Co-founder of SPEAR, and Squash enthusiast and player himself! Dave has played numerous professional squash tournaments throughout the Northeast, and even worked as a teaching pro in NYC. Physical therapist Greg Moy also provided valuable insight on injury prevention for Squash players of all levels with a take-home guide of helpful tips, featured in the tournament’s program.
Dave Endres, PT, MS, and SPEAR Co-founder, preps youth Squash athletes prior to the start of the screening
Young athletes putting in the work during a guided warm-up!
The pro athletes weren’t the only ones benefiting from physical therapy that day: SPEAR hosted a screening for youth squash players as well! We partnered with two incredible organizations: CitySquash, a not-for-profit organization based in the Bronx and Brooklyn helping motivate young people from economically disadvantaged households fulfill their academic, athletic and personal potential; and StreetSquash, an organization providing consistent and reliable support to the children, families and schools in Harlem and Newark. At the screening, the youth athletes learned best practices from our PTs for proper preparation before playing, with specific warm-ups and exercises to do at home. Hosting the screening during such a momentous tournament was extra special for these promising young athletes, serving as a reminder that they, too, could one day be out on the court, competing for world titles and accolades. We’re honored to play a part in their developing journey in achieving greatness, and doing so in a safe manner!
We love partnering with this championship because we truly believe in the sport and what it represents: dedication and hard work are the foundational building blocks of success. Not to mention, it’s incredibly fun to play! We look forward to participating in future Squash events and tournaments to come!
