In his second year spearheading Girls Squash, Head Coach Shuan Duffy improves team culture through his understanding and empathetic qualities. He was first introduced to squash at university and has since played for over 30 years as an active member of the Massachusetts squash community. Duffy spent ten years of his career in Japan, developing his love for the game and playing in tournaments. He has also been a member of the Andover Squash Club for over 20 years. His willingness to truly understand his players and their backgrounds has been integral to shaping the Girls Squash’s culture.
Robin Lukens ’28, new to Andover Squash, appreciates Duffy’s focus on individual players. She spoke of how, since arriving at Andover, she appreciates the healthy culture that stems from Duffy’s leadership style.
“He has made it so much more fun. He helps us not only work really hard in our practices, but he also is really understanding about injury or the fact that sometimes we’ll be burnt out or we’ll be tired. Even if we are injured or having problems like that. A lot of coaches I know, especially from back home, force you to play or keep pushing yourself to the max, which isn’t as healthy for athletes. But he manages to make practices really hard and pushing, but not too intense to the point of burnout. He helps us work hard but he doesn’t push us over the edge, and he creates a positive environment for all the team members…He helps us work through those things and as a coach he always brings a fun yet also really pushing and encouraging environment,” said Lukens.
Multi-dimensional relationships with his players, Duffy believes, are crucial to a well-functioning team. He also shares personal anecdotes to Girls Squash to reinforce his coaching and further develop such connections.
Duffy said, “I like to get to know what the players like to do outside of squash. So what their clubs are, how many siblings that they have, or where they’re from. I think it’s important to know who your players are so that when you have to give them some difficult advice, they understand what you’re like. I like to share my life too and I talk about my family a lot and my upbringing and who I am.”
According to Lukens, following setbacks and losses, Duffy seeks to maintain positivity among Girls Squash by focusing on long-term improvement.
Lukens said, “He encourages the team by always giving us our next goal and setting us up for success. For example, we’re really looking forward to nationals and we’re training for nationals so we can bring home a title, and he pushes us with the big long term goals by also helping us with our less valuable matches, by still putting some value on teamwork”
Girls Squash, in a couple weeks, will compete at High School Squash Nationals (Nationals) and the New England Interscholastic Squash Association (NEISA) competition. Duffy ensures he provides his players individualized support; Rachel Levitsky ’28 explained that that guidance will be crucial in the team’s upcoming tournaments.
“I feel like he comes to watch each one of his players’ matches and helps them if they seem a little bit down or if they’re not playing the best that they can…We have New England’s and Nationals coming up, and they’re pretty big for us. I think he’s going to continue to support each player individually and provide very individualized feedback to them, which is always helpful,” said Levitsky.
As Girls Squash nears the end of its season, Duffy encourages Andover students and faculty to attend the team’s home matches, especially against Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter) on Wednesday, February 26.
Duffy said, “We would really like people to come out and to watch more of our squash matches. We have a great team. Our last home event is versus Exeter. I think it’s on February 26. So please wear your blue and cheer us on!”
