June 10, 2010 Dessi & Rani Reddy (Squash parents)
As a family we have had the good fortune of knowing Mr. Griffiths for the past 5 years he has been instrumental in coaching and teaching squash to all three of our children. Our oldest son, who is now 19 years-old. Was regularly coached by Mr. Griffiths, and is now on the university squash team at the university of Western Ontario. Even though our oldest son resides at university and receives university coaching, he regularly comes home (3 hours away), and attends lessons with Mr. Griffiths; he said that he enjoys the rigor and challenging style of Mr. Griffiths coaching.
Mr. Griffiths is presently very actively involved in coaching/teaching our two younger children (14 and 15 years old), who also play competitively and are members of squash Ontario.
As parents, our experience of Mr. Griffiths in general is as follows:
• Mr. Griffiths is a forthright man. He is able to communicate with younger children and teenagers using his forthright manner to give clear goals, instructions and information. We’ve also observed him adapting his pitch to the age of his students; competently communicating with younger adults as he does with children.
• Mr. Griffiths uses a holistic approach in his coaching. We find his approach unusual because he does not only focus on the technicality of squash. Instead he also emphasizes on overall fitness, the mental aspects and the dietary considerations; all essential and relevant focus areas for good squash performance.
• Mr. Griffiths brings future squash aspirations into the present for his students. We find that by doing this he makes their present efforts relevant to their future goals.
• Finally he uses scaffolding techniques in his coaching practice. The advantage to this approach is that our children are given realistic expectations with good supports in place, increasing their chances of experiencing success on a small but regular basis. This keeps them interested and motivated to keep putting effort into improving their skills and their game.
We would highly recommend any player wishing to improve their performance on a squash court or just life in general, seek out Mr. Griffiths for advice.
Oswald Vallejos-Sevilla
Head Squash Pro – Yellowknife Racquet Club NCCP Level 3 Squash Professional
May 2015
We were lucky enough to have Keith up for various coaching sessions for adults and juniors in May of 2015. Having grown up in Ontario playing the Junior Squash Circuit I was familiar with Keith and had the misfortune of playing many of his strong pupils.
As an adult and squash coach here in the Northwest Territories, I was very eager to learn from Keith and his many years of experience as a Touring Pro as well as his experience in coaching professionals, amateurs, and juniors both here in Canada and abroad.
His visit was so impactful that it has sparked not only my own personal squash training, but also has inspired many of our members and juniors to take up squash more competitively and consistently. His visit has also helped our junior program be more effective by applying his philosophies and teaching methods on group training. Our Junior Program has more than doubled since his visit and Keith’s influence can be seen here on a daily basis.
We are immensely happy to have had Keith even if only for a short time and look forward to the opportunity to host him up in the
North once more.
June 17, 2010 Kathy and Gary Osborne (Squash parents)
Keith Griffiths has been the squash Coach for out three sons for approximately 3 years. Tyler is age 17, Cole is 16 and Jarryd is 14. We live in Kingston, Ontario. This is a three hour drive from Burlington. Tyler, Cole, and Jarryd visit Keith regularly for supervised coaching and training. Otherwise, they keep in touch with Keith via email or telephone as required for feedback and advice.
Keith has been very instrumental in helping our children progress and improve their squash abilities. Keith has not only been a coach for our children, but he has also been a friend and a role model as well. Keith and his family have allowed our children to billet with them during their training sessions in Burlington.
Keith is actively involved with each athlete and provides individual as well as group coaching. Keith expects the athletes to be focused, prepared and ready to train. Keith, although disciplined, is easily approachable, patient with the athlete and takes time and effort to help each athlete individually.
Keith focuses on the complete package of coaching. This includes helping the athletes physically and mentally. It involves on court and off court training, conditioning and playing matches. Keith provides the athletes with a training schedule that includes mental and physical exercises. On court training includes footwork drills, solo hitting drills, controlled court drills and match play. Off court training includes aerobic, anaerobic, strength conditioning and stretching exercises. Keith provides mental exercises to improve focus and concentration with his training schedule. The training cycles are usually set for six weeks. During the training cycle Keith is available in person, by phone or by email to help the athlete with questions or concerns with their training. Keith regularly assesses and documents the athletes skills and abilities. Keith regularly reviews the athletes progress and adjusts the training schedule accordingly.
As parents. We have been very satisfied with Keith as the squash Coach for our children. Keith has definitely helped our children maximize their performance.
Keith has shown them the importance of self motivation, self determination and the importance of love, joy and respect
for the sport.
July 12, 2006
Sharron West (squash mum)
Our son, Colin West, has been training regularly with Mr. Griffiths for the past three years. Colin has been playing squash since he was 7 years old and has had several coaches over that period. Colin is now 18 years old. Colin is a five time National Squash Champion and recently won the Canadian Open. He has traveled to compete in a number of international elite squash tournaments including the US Open, the British Open, the Scottish Open and two major tournaments in Australia in 2004. He had strong performances in all of these tournaments, including winning the US Open. Colin is currently in New Zealand representing Canada at the World Junior Championships. Colin will travel to Hungary this August to represent Canada at the World University Championships. Colin will be representing Ontario at the Canada Winter Games in the Yukon in March, 2007. Colin is a very dedicated and passionate squash player. His recent accomplishments are in large part due to Mr. Griffith’s coaching, friendship and guidance. Keith was also involved in Colin’s recruitment by and acceptance at Harvard University.
Colin trains regularly with Mr. Griffiths and considers him an invaluable coach who guides his full training program –improvements to his game, his tournament schedule, his fitness regime and his mental preparation. Mr. Griffiths has been in attendance at numerous tournament events to provide coaching. Indeed, his presence and coaching was instrumental in Colin winning the US Open and the Canadian Open this year.
We have found it very difficult to find coaches in the Toronto area who have international experience, the ability to coach at the elite level and the time and interest to offer regular training, attendance at tournaments - in short, over-seeing the full training program required by elite athletes. We have been members for many years at the Granite Club, a large multi-sport club in central Toronto known for its top facilities and coaches. The Head Squash Professional at the Granite Club encouraged Colin to look outside the club because they could not offer the elite coaching required. We drive from central Toronto every Saturday out to Cedar Springs Health, Racquets and Sports Club in Burlington for Colin to spend the day training with Mr. Griffiths. Colin often trains with him on Sundays as well. He has also attended camps offered from time to time by Mr. Griffiths. We look forward to Colin training with him for many years in the future.
September 2010
Tony Chetty (squash parent)
I have known Mr Griffiths for the past 6 years. Since taking up the head pro position at Cedar Springs Health, Racquet and Sports club, he has mentored and coached numerous juniors and professional squash players. My 2 sons Kimesh and Yeshale Chetty have had Keith as their primary coach for the majority of their junior squash careers. The technical, physical fitness and mental attitude components of their game have improved significantly.
Yeshale has placed in the top 5 Nationally and has won the North American Open 2008. He now plays for the UWO Ivy League squash team.
Kimesh also placed top 10 in Canada and won the German junior Open in 2007 and the Spanish Junior Open in 2008. Kimesh in now Captain of the UWO Ivy League squash team. The UWO placed 9th in the NCAA last year.
Keith has outstanding coaching and mentoring skills and being an ex ranked professional player himself has definitely added to his credibility.
As a family we have had the good fortune of knowing Mr. Griffiths for the past 5 years he has been instrumental in coaching and teaching squash to all three of our children. Our oldest son, who is now 19 years-old. Was regularly coached by Mr. Griffiths, and is now on the university squash team at the university of Western Ontario. Even though our oldest son resides at university and receives university coaching, he regularly comes home (3 hours away), and attends lessons with Mr. Griffiths; he said that he enjoys the rigor and challenging style of Mr. Griffiths coaching.
Mr. Griffiths is presently very actively involved in coaching/teaching our two younger children (14 and 15 years old), who also play competitively and are members of squash Ontario.
As parents, our experience of Mr. Griffiths in general is as follows:
• Mr. Griffiths is a forthright man. He is able to communicate with younger children and teenagers using his forthright manner to give clear goals, instructions and information. We’ve also observed him adapting his pitch to the age of his students; competently communicating with younger adults as he does with children.
• Mr. Griffiths uses a holistic approach in his coaching. We find his approach unusual because he does not only focus on the technicality of squash. Instead he also emphasizes on overall fitness, the mental aspects and the dietary considerations; all essential and relevant focus areas for good squash performance.
• Mr. Griffiths brings future squash aspirations into the present for his students. We find that by doing this he makes their present efforts relevant to their future goals.
• Finally he uses scaffolding techniques in his coaching practice. The advantage to this approach is that our children are given realistic expectations with good supports in place, increasing their chances of experiencing success on a small but regular basis. This keeps them interested and motivated to keep putting effort into improving their skills and their game.
We would highly recommend any player wishing to improve their performance on a squash court or just life in general, seek out Mr. Griffiths for advice.
Oswald Vallejos-Sevilla
Head Squash Pro – Yellowknife Racquet Club NCCP Level 3 Squash Professional
May 2015
We were lucky enough to have Keith up for various coaching sessions for adults and juniors in May of 2015. Having grown up in Ontario playing the Junior Squash Circuit I was familiar with Keith and had the misfortune of playing many of his strong pupils.
As an adult and squash coach here in the Northwest Territories, I was very eager to learn from Keith and his many years of experience as a Touring Pro as well as his experience in coaching professionals, amateurs, and juniors both here in Canada and abroad.
His visit was so impactful that it has sparked not only my own personal squash training, but also has inspired many of our members and juniors to take up squash more competitively and consistently. His visit has also helped our junior program be more effective by applying his philosophies and teaching methods on group training. Our Junior Program has more than doubled since his visit and Keith’s influence can be seen here on a daily basis.
We are immensely happy to have had Keith even if only for a short time and look forward to the opportunity to host him up in the
North once more.
June 17, 2010 Kathy and Gary Osborne (Squash parents)
Keith Griffiths has been the squash Coach for out three sons for approximately 3 years. Tyler is age 17, Cole is 16 and Jarryd is 14. We live in Kingston, Ontario. This is a three hour drive from Burlington. Tyler, Cole, and Jarryd visit Keith regularly for supervised coaching and training. Otherwise, they keep in touch with Keith via email or telephone as required for feedback and advice.
Keith has been very instrumental in helping our children progress and improve their squash abilities. Keith has not only been a coach for our children, but he has also been a friend and a role model as well. Keith and his family have allowed our children to billet with them during their training sessions in Burlington.
Keith is actively involved with each athlete and provides individual as well as group coaching. Keith expects the athletes to be focused, prepared and ready to train. Keith, although disciplined, is easily approachable, patient with the athlete and takes time and effort to help each athlete individually.
Keith focuses on the complete package of coaching. This includes helping the athletes physically and mentally. It involves on court and off court training, conditioning and playing matches. Keith provides the athletes with a training schedule that includes mental and physical exercises. On court training includes footwork drills, solo hitting drills, controlled court drills and match play. Off court training includes aerobic, anaerobic, strength conditioning and stretching exercises. Keith provides mental exercises to improve focus and concentration with his training schedule. The training cycles are usually set for six weeks. During the training cycle Keith is available in person, by phone or by email to help the athlete with questions or concerns with their training. Keith regularly assesses and documents the athletes skills and abilities. Keith regularly reviews the athletes progress and adjusts the training schedule accordingly.
As parents. We have been very satisfied with Keith as the squash Coach for our children. Keith has definitely helped our children maximize their performance.
Keith has shown them the importance of self motivation, self determination and the importance of love, joy and respect
for the sport.
July 12, 2006
Sharron West (squash mum)
Our son, Colin West, has been training regularly with Mr. Griffiths for the past three years. Colin has been playing squash since he was 7 years old and has had several coaches over that period. Colin is now 18 years old. Colin is a five time National Squash Champion and recently won the Canadian Open. He has traveled to compete in a number of international elite squash tournaments including the US Open, the British Open, the Scottish Open and two major tournaments in Australia in 2004. He had strong performances in all of these tournaments, including winning the US Open. Colin is currently in New Zealand representing Canada at the World Junior Championships. Colin will travel to Hungary this August to represent Canada at the World University Championships. Colin will be representing Ontario at the Canada Winter Games in the Yukon in March, 2007. Colin is a very dedicated and passionate squash player. His recent accomplishments are in large part due to Mr. Griffith’s coaching, friendship and guidance. Keith was also involved in Colin’s recruitment by and acceptance at Harvard University.
Colin trains regularly with Mr. Griffiths and considers him an invaluable coach who guides his full training program –improvements to his game, his tournament schedule, his fitness regime and his mental preparation. Mr. Griffiths has been in attendance at numerous tournament events to provide coaching. Indeed, his presence and coaching was instrumental in Colin winning the US Open and the Canadian Open this year.
We have found it very difficult to find coaches in the Toronto area who have international experience, the ability to coach at the elite level and the time and interest to offer regular training, attendance at tournaments - in short, over-seeing the full training program required by elite athletes. We have been members for many years at the Granite Club, a large multi-sport club in central Toronto known for its top facilities and coaches. The Head Squash Professional at the Granite Club encouraged Colin to look outside the club because they could not offer the elite coaching required. We drive from central Toronto every Saturday out to Cedar Springs Health, Racquets and Sports Club in Burlington for Colin to spend the day training with Mr. Griffiths. Colin often trains with him on Sundays as well. He has also attended camps offered from time to time by Mr. Griffiths. We look forward to Colin training with him for many years in the future.
September 2010
Tony Chetty (squash parent)
I have known Mr Griffiths for the past 6 years. Since taking up the head pro position at Cedar Springs Health, Racquet and Sports club, he has mentored and coached numerous juniors and professional squash players. My 2 sons Kimesh and Yeshale Chetty have had Keith as their primary coach for the majority of their junior squash careers. The technical, physical fitness and mental attitude components of their game have improved significantly.
Yeshale has placed in the top 5 Nationally and has won the North American Open 2008. He now plays for the UWO Ivy League squash team.
Kimesh also placed top 10 in Canada and won the German junior Open in 2007 and the Spanish Junior Open in 2008. Kimesh in now Captain of the UWO Ivy League squash team. The UWO placed 9th in the NCAA last year.
Keith has outstanding coaching and mentoring skills and being an ex ranked professional player himself has definitely added to his credibility.
September 2003. Norman Farthing (squash parent and manager of Ahorn Squash Center in Paderborn Germany)
I have know Keith for some 15 years. As manager of the Ahorn Squash Center and the reigning European Champions “Paderborn Squash Club” my thanks go to Keith for the intensive work he did with our team over the past few years.
Keith is an enthusiastic and very focused individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. An excellent team leader with a flexible approach, capable of dealing with tasks at all levels. He has outstanding organizational and time management skills. Easily adapting to changing situations. Always endeavouring to achieve the highest quality standards in work and professional development.
His qualities as a squash Coach are world renown and without doubt his knowledge of the sport formed the base for the growth of squash in Germany towards the end of the eighties and through the nineties. He is capable of recognizing and producing the best playing qualities in squash players. Either experienced or young raw recruits he has the ability to mould them into even better players.
With his magnetic personality he infects people with the enjoyment of the participation in sport.
I have know Keith for some 15 years. As manager of the Ahorn Squash Center and the reigning European Champions “Paderborn Squash Club” my thanks go to Keith for the intensive work he did with our team over the past few years.
Keith is an enthusiastic and very focused individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. An excellent team leader with a flexible approach, capable of dealing with tasks at all levels. He has outstanding organizational and time management skills. Easily adapting to changing situations. Always endeavouring to achieve the highest quality standards in work and professional development.
His qualities as a squash Coach are world renown and without doubt his knowledge of the sport formed the base for the growth of squash in Germany towards the end of the eighties and through the nineties. He is capable of recognizing and producing the best playing qualities in squash players. Either experienced or young raw recruits he has the ability to mould them into even better players.
With his magnetic personality he infects people with the enjoyment of the participation in sport.
Oct 2015. Dane Sharp (Squash professional)
I have known Keith for the last 10 years and have been seriously coached by him for the last three. I am one of Canada’s top squash professionals achieving a career high of 79 in the world rankings in 2015 as well as top two in the Nation. I have competed for Canada at the World Team Championships and currently have three world tour titles to my name. I owe much of my career success to the invaluable information and mentorship given to me by Keith.
Three years ago I approached him, because my career had stalled somewhat, for one on one coaching and after spending countless hours under his tutelage (I literally lived in his basement for a whole summer) I started seeing huge improvements in my game as a whole and my results improved immensely.
I credit my later playing success and achieving my highest goals to Keith and his very rare knowledge of the game of squash, not just on court, but as a complete package. Unlike most coaches in Canada, Keith understands all the components of being a professional squash player and is an expert in the areas of technical, tactical, mental and physical attributes needed to compete at the highest level of the game.
Keith also coached and helped me when I approached him about, post playing career advise, he was instrumental in me getting my coaching certificates and helps me ongoing with my professional development.
P.S you have to try his coffee, I still call by on my way past for a cup and a chat.
I have known Keith for the last 10 years and have been seriously coached by him for the last three. I am one of Canada’s top squash professionals achieving a career high of 79 in the world rankings in 2015 as well as top two in the Nation. I have competed for Canada at the World Team Championships and currently have three world tour titles to my name. I owe much of my career success to the invaluable information and mentorship given to me by Keith.
Three years ago I approached him, because my career had stalled somewhat, for one on one coaching and after spending countless hours under his tutelage (I literally lived in his basement for a whole summer) I started seeing huge improvements in my game as a whole and my results improved immensely.
I credit my later playing success and achieving my highest goals to Keith and his very rare knowledge of the game of squash, not just on court, but as a complete package. Unlike most coaches in Canada, Keith understands all the components of being a professional squash player and is an expert in the areas of technical, tactical, mental and physical attributes needed to compete at the highest level of the game.
Keith also coached and helped me when I approached him about, post playing career advise, he was instrumental in me getting my coaching certificates and helps me ongoing with my professional development.
P.S you have to try his coffee, I still call by on my way past for a cup and a chat.