Sport History

Oxenford Studios (OXS) Squash Sport History Squash Origins and the sport today: The origins of squash come from the game of real tennis, which led to the game of rackets. In the early 18th century, inmates at Fleet Prison in London would smack a ball against one or two walls. As the game expanded, courts were built with a paving-stone floor. The game of fives was also played – the ancient version of handball. The combination of fives and rackets led to the creation of squash. Harrow School outside London is the official birthplace of squash, with the first four courts constructed in 1864. The first squash court in North America appeared at St Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, in 1884 – in 1904, the earliest national association of squash was formed in Philadelphia. The United States Squash Rackets Association (USSRA) is now known as US Squash. In 1912, the RMS Titanic had a squash court in first class. Today, the sport is governed by the World Squash Federation (WSF). Formed in 1967, it has 149 member federations as of 2016. While recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the sport of squash is not on the Olympic program and failed with a bid to be included at Tokyo 2020. Squash at the Commonwealth Games: Squash is one of 10 core sports at the Commonwealth Games, meaning it has to be included in the program. The other nine are: aquatics (diving and swimming), athletics, badminton, boxing, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby sevens and weightlifting. Squash has been part of the Commonwealth Games competition since Kuala Lumpur 1998. The format has remained the same, with men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Australia lead the overall medal table with 30 (nine gold, eight silver and 13 bronze). England have won more medals, but sit in second place on 34, as they have won eight gold. Nick MATTHEW (ENG) has been the men’s singles champion at the past two Commonwealth Games (Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014), and also took silver in the men’s doubles in Glasgow and gold in the same event in Delhi. Peter NICOL won the first Commonwealth Games men’s singles gold for Scotland, at Kuala Lumpur 1998, then triumphed again at Melbourne 2006 while representing England. After he won his first medal for Scotland, NICOL transferred his allegiance in 2002 to England, claiming he was not receiving sufficient support from Scottish Squash. He is the most successful Commonwealth Games squash player, with four gold, a silver and a bronze. In the women’s game, sisters Natalie GRINHAM (AUS) and Rachael GRINHAM (AUS) have dominated the sport at Commonwealth Games, winning nine medals between them – Natalie took three gold at Melbourne 2006. The current defending women’s singles champion is Nicol DAVID (MAS), who won gold at Delhi 2010 before her victory at Glasgow 2014. She has won four medals in total. Squash in Australia: It was in 1913 that a rackets court at the Melbourne Club was split into two squash courts – and in 1931 an Australian Championship was inaugurated. Three years later, the Squash Rackets Association of Australia (Squash Australia) was formed, with Victoria and New South Wales establishing provincial associations three years later. Oxenford Studios (OXS) Squash Australia has a strong history in the sport, winning every international match in two tours of England in the early 1960s, and has produced many world, British and Commonwealth Games champions. Heather McKAY is probably the country’s greatest player, and some rate her Australia’s greatest sportswoman. She dominated squash in the 1960s and 70s, winning 16 straight British Opens from 1962 to 1977, and retired in 1981 having not been defeated in 20 years. The most influential Australian male squash player was Geoff HUNT, ranked world number one from 1975-1980, and considered one of the sport’s all-time greats. Other high-profile names include Rodney EYLES, who won silver at the Kuala Lumpur 1998 Commonwealth Games, and Sarah FITZ-GERALD, who won five World Open titles and gold at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games. It is in mixed doubles at the Commonwealth Games where Australia has really excelled, with four out of five gold medals. .

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