Former England pro Victoria Lust is one of the few females to oversee male players with her role as Canada mens coach. Here, she runs the rule over connecting as a coach.

Open-minded Approach Key

Dont change your coaching style and just focus on getting each individual to find his best squash. Also it is important that the guys are all open-minded as well.

There are a lot of countries who havent been open to that and squash is pretty far behind in this respect. When men coach women there is no: How would you coach a woman? but we are asked when its the reverse.

Trust

Everyone is an individual and you should treat them as the athlete they are. I feel very lucky in that I have a team of guys who have given me their support and trust and in particular with David Baillargeon (Canadian No.1) who has been super supportive.

Change To A Minimum

I am not their coach full-time so there is no point bombarding them with information for one tournament and trying to get them to make major changes for that event.

Collaborate With Players Coaches

Brett Schille is coached by Chris Ryder and he will give me insight and Yvon Provencal who works with David provides the same kind of thing. So if their coaches trust you the players are more likely to do so.

Communication

Its a whole big picture thing with the players, their coaches, and Squash Canada. So its important that communication is open and there should be a safe space for the players to voice what they need and that is something I am keen to create.