Member Spotlight: Adam Podlahova’s Squash Journey

At The Parklangley Club, we have always believed that sport is about far more than competition or performance. Racquet sports are at the heart of our club, but it's the strong sense of community that truly defines us, bringing members together as part of something bigger than the game.

For many members, the club becomes much more than somewhere to train. It becomes part of a routine, a familiar face after school or work, a place to socialise, release stress, and switch off from the pressures of everyday life.

This year, the club marked Mental Health Awareness Week by hosting a range of activities that highlighted the positive impact of physical activity on mental wellbeing. We spoke with Adam Podlahova, one of our young squash members coached by Alisdair Shapcott, about what squash, and The Parklangley Club, means to him, and the role it has played in supporting his mental wellbeing.

Finding an Outlet

Adam joined the club after 2020, having previously played squash elsewhere. Since then, the sport has gradually become an important part of his everyday life.

“To be honest, the second I finish school, I rush here when I get the chance. If I don’t, if I have to revise, then I have to revise, but if I get the chance, I’ll come here.”

Like many teenagers, Adam balances school, friendships, expectations, and the pressures that naturally come with growing up. For him, squash has become a healthy outlet — somewhere he can mentally reset at the end of the day.

“All the frustration that’s built throughout the day, I usually just take it out on the ball and the wall. That’s basically how I vent.”

He laughs while saying it, but the honesty behind the comment reflects something many people experience. Physical activity can provide a release when stress, anxiety, or emotions quietly build up in the background. Adam also recognises the positive impact squash has on other areas of his life too.

“It does help with school. It makes me more relaxed when I come home, so that allows me to revise better. It helps me de-stress. Yeah, it makes me feel happy about myself.”

Research consistently shows the positive impact physical activity can have on mental wellbeing, particularly for young people. Exercise can help reduce stress levels, improve mood, build confidence, and create healthy routines — but often, just as important as the activity itself is having somewhere safe and welcoming to go. Sometimes, simply having a place to be after school can make a real difference.

More Than Just Coaching

“You can make much more friends from playing a sport other than just finding people in school.”

At The Parklangley Club, coaching has never only been about improving technique or performance. Coaches often become mentors, role models, and trusted people young members see week after week. Over time, those consistent relationships can have a hugely positive impact on confidence and wellbeing.

One of the things Adam spoke most positively about was the sense of connection he feels at the club. Through squash, he has built friendships and strong relationships with the people around him — particularly with his coach, Alisdair.

That feeling of familiarity and comfort is something we work hard to create for every member who walks through our doors. In an increasingly busy and fast-paced world, having a community space where people feel comfortable being themselves matters more than ever.

Sport naturally brings people together, but it is often the conversations between sessions, the encouragement from coaches, and the friendships formed along the way that leave the biggest impact.

“To be honest, without the sport, I didn’t have much to do, [especially at the other club] I didn’t know many people. But then when I came here, I felt like I had more of a purpose, if I could call it that. People actually wanted me to come to lessons more often. And when I went to lessons, I felt happier afterwards. Playing with other people felt better for me. I’d say it’s definitely had a positive impact on my mental health.”

There is something incredibly valuable about finding your people, even in a small way, through a shared activity. For many young members, clubs become one of the few places where different age groups, backgrounds, and personalities naturally connect through a common interest.

More Than a Sports Club

Whether someone is competing regularly, training weekly, attending junior coaching sessions, or simply spending time at the club after a long day, those moments all contribute to overall wellbeing in meaningful ways.

Stories like Adam’s are an important reminder that clubs can play a bigger role in people’s lives than we sometimes realise. A racquets club can become somewhere people build confidence, friendships, routine, resilience, and support systems — often without consciously recognising it at the time.

As conversations around mental health continue to grow, we remain committed to ensuring The Parklangley Club is a place where all our members feel welcome, supported, and connected both on and off court.

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