SQUASH
The Game
Squash is one of the most athletic sports in the world. Beyond just being great fun, new benefits of the game are discovered every day.
A Forbes magazine study indicated that squash was the healthiest sport in the world. In one hour of squash, a player can expend between 600 to 1000 calories. Squash is affordable, easy to play, accessible, builds muscular strength and endurance, and is an excellent cardiovascular workout.
Squash had its genesis in England at the beginning of the 19th century and was exported to the colonies of Canada, India and Australia for example.
From these early beginnings, the sport gained momentum, and is now one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Squash is now played by 20 million people, on over 50000 courts throughout 185 countries and 6 continents.
History
History of the WWTSC events.
The “Women’s International Squash Rackets Federation” was formed in 1976 to run regular world competitions for individuals and teams.
The first team event was staged in 1979 in Birmingham, England, six countries entered this inaugural event, with Great Britain coming out on top.
Canada has hosted this championship 3 times already: in Toronto (1981); in Vancouver (1992) and in Edmonton (2006). The World Squash Federation has awarded the 19th Women’s World Team Squash Championship to Canada; consequently, the event will be held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the first time in Ontario in 30 years.
Canada finished 11th at the 2012 Women’s World in France.
Rules
Squash is a racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball.
The objective of the game is for players to take turns hitting the ball against the front wall, above the tin and below the out line. The ball may strike the side or back walls at any time, as long as it hits below the out line.
A ball that lands on the out line or the line along the top of the tin is considered to be out.
After the ball hits the front wall, it is allowed to bounce once on the floor before a player must return it.
Each game is played to 11 points. The player who scores 11 points first wins the game. If the score reaches 10-all, the game continues until one player leads by two points. Either player may score points (PAR – point-a-rally). The server, on winning a rally, scores a point and retains the service; the receiver, on winning a rally, scores a point and becomes the server.
Squash Canada
“Driving excellence in our sport.”
Squash Canada is a non-profit, national sport association responsible for the development of athletes, coaches and officials. Founded in 1915, Squash Canada sets the Canadian standards for squash and works with partners to promote the growth and development of the sport across the country.
Squash Canada is a proud member of the Pan American Squash Federation and the World Squash Federation, and participates in the Pan American Championships, Commonwealth and Pan Am Games as well as the World Team Championships at junior and senior levels. Each year, Squash Canada also hosts singles and doubles national championships for junior and senior athletes across the country.
Squash Ontario
« Play Squash, Play Fair »
Squash Ontario was “born” in 1976 with the amalgamation of 3 squash associations who came together to form one association, one voice for squash in Ontario.
From that time on, Squash Ontario has grown into the largest squash association in Canada, representing some 130 squash facilities and over 85,000 squash players. Its mandate is to provide an environment in which the game can grow and flourish and it continues to meet and exceed this mandate with the help of many – volunteers who are committed to the game – squash professionals who deliver so much of the programming at the club level – referees who are dedicated to ensuring that the game is played safely and fairly – and its funding partners, particularly the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport.
In 1981, Squash Ontario hosted the Women’s World Individual and Teams Championships and so it is fitting, that over 30 years later, we should have the honour of once again being the host province for this prestigious women’s event.
We would be very much remiss if we did not acknowledge the contribution Mark Sachvie made to secure the bid for this event. Mark was committed to bringing the Women’s World Teams Championship to Ontario and to The Club at White Oaks – he accomplished his goal and it is now up to the rest of us, to fulfill his dream.
Copyright Squash Ontario
