HOW many sports organisations in Bermuda can boast that the National Team coach for both their men and women's teams - is a woman? That's the case for the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association since the arrival of Denise Sommers in January 2006.

And just in case anyone doubts her ability as a squash player, there are very few male players at the BSRA who would challenge Denise to a match!

Sommers certainly has a great pedigree as a squash coach. Born in Wales, she moved to Holland with her parents at the age of three. Her father hailed from Jamaica where he had been an active squash coach and promoter. He continued to coach and promote squash in Holland where he held clinics featuring the world's finest coaches, including former world champion, Jonah Barrington.

Sommers first recalls picking up a squash racket at the age of five. She instantly took a liking to the game and soon began to show her ability as she rose through the Dutch junior rankings as National Champion at Under 12, Under 16 and Under 19, while benefiting from the clinics organized by her father. She turned professional at the age of 18 and played for eight years on the pro circuit, traveling all over the globe and rising to number 22 in the world rankings. She also started coaching at the age of 18.

Her pro career ended when she sustained a serious knee injury which kept her out of action for 18 months. Despite making a comeback she suffered a second knee injury and decided to give up her pro career to concentrate on coaching, although she continued to play for the Dutch National Team until 2000.

One of Sommers' must successful students was then Dutch junior, Vanessa Atkinson, who later went on become World Champion. Prior to arriving in Bermuda, Sommers was hired as a coach by two men who felt that squash had the potential to be a very popular sport in Holland. With her assistance, they went on to open ten highly successful clubs throughout Holland with as many as 5,000 members in several of the clubs.

Since taking up her position as Bermuda National Team Coach, Sommers keeps busy coaching the national senior men's and women's squads. In addition she gives private lessons for players of all levels, and can be seen on court as early as 7am and later in the evenings.

It has traditionally been more difficult to attract girls to squash, and the BSRA believes that having a woman of Denise's ability coaching both the men and women's national squads provides an ideal role model for girls who choose to play squash. Sommers also coaches both the junior boys and girls national squads, and recently accompanied them to the Junior CASA (Caribbean) Championships in the British Virgin Islands, where the Girls Team placed second overall,and the Boys Team placed third overall. She received rave reviews from the boys and girls. In addition she coaches a girls development squad for girls of all ages and ability.

Sommers strongly believes that squash is a great sport for girls. "It's a healthy activity, it's fun, it's very social - and with a little persistence it is easier to play than, say, tennis. Once girls get involved in squash they tend to stay with it, and it's a sport you can play and continue to enjoy as an adult." She adds that quite a few ladies have joined the club since her arrival. Says Sommers, "They tend to be a little sceptical of playing against anyone else at first, but once they've had a few lessons I try to introduce them to other ladies of similar ability, and then they're off and running."

After a successful operation on her injured knee last September, Sommers has spent endless hours on court, coaching and playing, and now feels confident enough to take the plunge and enter the 2007 British Open Squash Championships being held in Manchester, England from 21st - 25th September. She will be competing in the Over 35 Age Group against players of the caliber of 5 times World Champion, Sarah Fitzgerald, who played an exhibition match in Bermuda during the 2005 PSA Masters Tournament.

BSRA spokesman, Roger Sherratt, said: "We are all impressed by Denise and her quiet determination. She's a great role model for our youngsters and we'll be closely following her progress in the British Open. Don't be surprised if she springs a few surprises!"