Yuri Franca brings over 20 years of coaching experience to his role as the Head Squash Coach at Chatham University. Originally from Brazil, Yuri’s passion for squash began at a young age, quickly establishing him as one of the top junior players in South America and the United States. He was a prominent member of the Brazilian national team and made his mark on the international stage with a successful professional career, achieving a career-high world ranking of 252.
A natural talent for coaching, Yuri began guiding players early in his career and has since become known for his ability to develop both junior and professional athletes. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of coaching many talented players, including a South American Junior Champion and several top professional players in Brazil.
In 2013, Yuri moved to San Diego, California, where he served as the Head Coach for the San Diego Squash Club and the Squash Director for Access Youth Academy, a non-profit organization focused on introducing squash to underprivileged youth. His dedication to the sport and the community has had a lasting impact, helping numerous students improve their game and earn spots on college squash teams.
From 2022 to 2025, Yuri served as an Assistant Coach for the men’s and women’s squash teams at Amherst College. His leadership played a key role in the team’s victory in the College National Championship (CSA Summers Cup), and the coaching staff was honored with the NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year award during his tenure.
Yuri holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and is driven by a passion to inspire and elevate student-athletes, helping them achieve excellence both on and off the court. As Head Squash Coach at Chatham University, Yuri is committed to building a competitive and inclusive program, developing players’ skills, and fostering a culture of academic and athletic achievement.
