Squash in Australia
| Squash in Australia | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Governing body | Squash Australia |
| National team(s) | Australia men's national squash team Australia women's national squash team |
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]
World number ones
[edit]Australia has produced several world number ones:
Highest ranked players
[edit]As of April 2018, the highest ranked Australian squash players were:
- Men:[9]
- Ryan Cuskelly (15)
- Cameron Pilley (20)
- Rex Hedrick (65)
- Joshua Larkin (69)
- Rhys Dowling (98)
- Women:[10]
- Donna Urquhart (16)
- Rachael Grinham (26)
- Christine Nunn (55)
- Sarah Cardwell (56)
- Tamika Saxby (57)
National teams
[edit]Australia has national men's and women's teams, that represent the country in international competitions.
Commonwealth Games
[edit]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
[edit]Squash in Australia is governed by Squash Australia.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "PSA World Tour Rankings - The Professional Squash Association". psaworldtour.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "The Past and Future of Squash".
- ^ "What is Squash". Squash & Racquetball Victoria. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ a b "GREATEST SQUASH PLAYER OF ALL TIME: Michelle Martin & Geoff Hunt voted number 8". PSA World Tour. 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ Partland, Warren (2013-05-30). "Olympic squash a must, says former champion Chris Dittmar". news.com.au. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ Sheen, Connor (2023-08-07). "Lee Looking To Push On Under Guidance Of Former World Champ David Palmer". PSA World Tour. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Hall of Fame Members". Squash Australia. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "SQUASH AUSTRALIA | Former World Number 1 claims 2021 Gold Coast PSA Women's Title". Squash Australia. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Squash Info - Men's PSA World Squash Rankings (April 2018) - Squash". www.squashinfo.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Squash Info - Women's PSA World Squash Rankings (April 2018) - Squash". www.squashinfo.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Commonwealth Games Squash 2018". Commonwealth Games Squash 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Governance - Squash Australia". Squash Australia. Retrieved 19 April 2018.