Squash in England

Squash is a popular sport in England. There is a long history of the sport in the country, and as of 2018 there are many highly ranked English players, both in men's and women's squash.[1]

Squash in England
CountryEngland
Governing bodyEngland Squash
National team(s)England men's national squash team
England women's national squash team

History of squash in England

England is where squash was invented. Students at Harrow School in London created the sport[2] in 1830 when they discovered the potential that a small, punctured rubber ball had for yielding a game where a variety of shots were possible.[3] Originally played in alleys and courtyards, the first purpose-built squash court was erected in Oxford in 1883.[3]

Professional competitions

Many professional squash competitions take place in England each year.

PSA World Tour

The PSA World Tour calendar includes many professional tournaments held in England every year. The most prestigious of these are the British Open Squash Championships (PSA150)[4] and the Canary Wharf Squash Classic (PSA70).[5]

Premier Squash League

The Premier Squash League runs every year from October to April. Teams consist of 4 men and 1 woman. There are 2 geographical divions (North and South, formerly known as A and B) and towards the end of the season the top 2 clubs from each division progress to the semi-finals.[6]

Top players
Former world number one Lee Beachill
Former world number one Nick Matthew
Former world number one James Willstrop
Former world number one Laura Massaro

English squash players have been known to dominate the world rankings.[7]

World number ones

England has produced several world number ones:

Highest ranked players

As of April 2018, the highest ranked English squash players were:

National teams

England has national men's and women's teams, that represent the country in international competitions.

Commonwealth Games

England players compete in the squash events of the Commonwealth Games, which are held every 4 years. Most recently, in the 2018 games, English players James Willstrop and Sarah-Jane Perry won gold in the men's singles event and silver in the women's singles event respectively.[10]

Governance

Squash in England is governed by England Squash.[11]

Amateur level

At amateur level, each county in England has its own league with multiple divisions, where clubs affiliated to the county enter one or more teams. As of 2010 Sport England statistics showed that 500,000 people regularly play squash in England, with 900 affiliated clubs and 4,500 squash courts across the country.[7] The National Schools Championships was established in 1972 and has about 100 schools participating.[7]

See also

References
  1. "PSA World Tour Rankings". The Professional Squash Association. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  2. "History of Squash Timeline – World Squash". www.worldsquash.org. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  3. "History of squash". www.englandsquash.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  4. "Home". May 4, 2017.
  5. "Today at the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic". www.cwsquash.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  6. "Premier Squash League". Premier Squash League. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  7. Curtis, Claire (1 June 2010). "Why England leads squash world". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  8. "Squash Info - Men's PSA World Squash Rankings (April 2018) - Squash". www.squashinfo.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  9. "Squash Info - Women's PSA World Squash Rankings (April 2018) - Squash". www.squashinfo.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  10. "Commonwealth Games Squash 2018". Commonwealth Games Squash 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  11. "Which sports do we recognise?". Sport England. 20 May 2013. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
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