Squash in Australia explained
Squash is a popular sport in Australia. There is a long tradition of the sport in the country, which boasts 7 former world number one players. As of 2018 there are many highly ranked Australian players, both in men's and women's squash.[1]
History of squash in Australia
The first Squash courts in Australia were established in 1913 at the Melbourne Club in Victoria. Players such as Geoff Hunt, Heather McKay and Sarah Fitz-Gerald[2] are regarded as Australian squash legends.[3]
Professional competitions
Many professional squash competitions take place in Australia each year. For example, the 2017 PSA World Tour included:
- the Sandgate Open in Brisbane
- the Elanora Open in Sydney
- the NT Open in Darwin
- the Golden Open in Kalgoorlie
- the Tasmanian Open in Devonport
- the South Australian Open in Adelaide
- the Victorian Open in Melbourne
- the Bendigo International Squash Open in Bendigo
- the City of Greater Shepparton International in Shepparton
- the Bega Open in Bega
- the North Coast Open in Coffs Harbour
- the New South Wales Open in Thornleigh
- the Queensland Open in the Gold Coast
- the Cairns Squash International in Cairns
- the Australian Open in Darwin
Top players
World number ones
Australia has produced several world number ones:
Highest ranked players
As of April 2018, the highest ranked Australian squash players were:
National teams
Australia has national men's and women's teams, that represent the country in international competitions.
Commonwealth Games
Australian players compete in the squash events of the Commonwealth Games, which are held every 4 years. Most recently, in the 2018 games, Australian players Zac Alexander and David Palmer won gold in the men's doubles event, Donna Urquhart and Cameron Pilley won gold in the mixed doubles event, and Donna Urquhart and Donna Urquhart won bronze in the women's doubles event.[11]
Governance
Squash in Australia is governed by Squash Australia.[12]
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: PSA World Tour Rankings - The Professional Squash Association. psaworldtour.com. 19 April 2018.
- Web site: The Past and Future of Squash.
- Web site: What is Squash. Squash & Racquetball Victoria. 19 April 2018.
- Web site: 2018-08-22 . GREATEST SQUASH PLAYER OF ALL TIME: Michelle Martin & Geoff Hunt voted number 8 . 2024-02-06 . PSA World Tour . en-GB.
- News: Partland . Warren . 2013-05-30 . Olympic squash a must, says former champion Chris Dittmar . 2024-02-06 . news.com.au.
- Web site: Sheen . Connor . 2023-08-07 . Lee Looking To Push On Under Guidance Of Former World Champ David Palmer . 2024-02-06 . PSA World Tour . en-GB.
- Web site: Hall of Fame Members . 2024-02-06 . Squash Australia.
- Web site: SQUASH AUSTRALIA Former World Number 1 claims 2021 Gold Coast PSA Women’s Title . 2024-02-06 . Squash Australia.
- Web site: Squash Info - Men's PSA World Squash Rankings (April 2018) - Squash. www.squashinfo.com. 19 April 2018.
- Web site: Squash Info - Women's PSA World Squash Rankings (April 2018) - Squash. www.squashinfo.com. 19 April 2018.
- Web site: Commonwealth Games Squash 2018. Commonwealth Games Squash 2018. 19 April 2018.
- Web site: Governance - Squash Australia. Squash Australia. 19 April 2018.