Background:
Squash Profile
Jim Masland has been the Head Squash Coach at Aussie-Nick Squash for 6 years. Jim has worked as a professional coach for 20 years, instructing both at the college and club level. He was the Head Men’s Squash Coach at the University of Pennsylvania for three seasons (1996-99), as well as the Assistant coach at George Washington University for two (2012-14). Notably, his Penn team won the Division Two Hoehn Cup in 1997.
In addition, he gained valuable experience coaching at different clubs, including Berwyn Squash and Fitness, where his activities included junior development, programming, and individual and group instruction.
Jim was a member of 3 national championship teams at Harvard University, as well as Co-Captain his senior year. He later played professionally, earning an invitation to the Pan American Team tryouts in 1997 and 1999.
Jim holds a BA from Harvard University as well as a PhD from UCLA where he was a TA, Associate TA and Lecturer.
Squash CV
Player
College
Clubs
Education
Dr. Rod Barnes (aussienicksquash@gmail.com) is Aussienick’s CEO and part time elite coach. Rod learned squash through the 1980’s in Brisbane, Australia during a golden era where several of the talented juniors in his cadre went on to be some of the world’s top players.Rod’s squash career became secondary in his later teens as he chose a professional career as a scientist, but through his prime he nevertheless maintained a level that was competitive at the top of the very strong regional leagues in Australia. Even as a lifelong part-timer Rod remains one of the top ranked amateur players in the tri-state area, and the top player in his over 45 age bracket. In addition Rod has nearly two decades of experience working with juniors and adults in Australia and the US, leading to many happy and successful protégés.Rod specializes in teaching advanced and elite potential juniors. Using his well developed analytic and communication skills, Rod seeks to imbue good racquet technique in harmony with efficient movement, whilst matching tutelage to the student’s natural attributes.
Connie Barnes (conniesquash@gmail.com) is AussieNick’s COO and Director of Squash.
Connie played Squash at State grade level in Australia for 15 years before arriving in Bethesda in 2002. An inaugural member of TPAC The Professional Association of Coaches and a USSquash representative, Connie is one of only 50 Level 2 coaches in the US. Connie’s passion is junior squash and she has taken Bethesda from a handful of juniors in 2002 when she arrived to over 150 players.
Connie and her husband Rod have developed a strong program of elite and intermediate players with many having continued to play in college. Connie and Rod design 2 – 4 yr proposals for HS parents to assist in helping parents make the best choice for squash participation in HS and college.
The program at Chevy Chase Athletic Club includes internal and external leagues, lessons, clinics, camp, High School and a Middle School leagues.
Connie trains High schools including Landon, Sidwell, Whitman, BCC, Stoneridge, and middle school students from Sidwell, GDS, Landon, Westland, Norwood, Pyle, WIS and others. Winner of several local tournaments including the Fisher Cup Connie has participated in Women’s National Teams event (the Howe Cup) and has captained and played #1 on the Lacey Cup.