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A History of Squash In Middlesex

A History of Squash in Middlesex

Founded in 1936, the Middlesex Squash Rackets Association is responsible for organising and promoting squash in Middlesex. The Association provides a link between the governing body of squash in England and the clubs and players in Middlesex.

In recent years far-reaching changes have been made to the County organisation. Several aspects of County squash (Juniors, Refereeing, Competitions, Leagues) have been progressively integrated and Middlesex was one of the first counties to merge the men's and women's associations completely. A new constitution was created for the combined association and a revised structure introduced with the aim of achieving better contact between the several leagues operating in Middlesex and the County organisation. A number of committees look after special interests within this structure.

The Association has endeavoured to make major improvements in squash development in the County. In 1998, our application to join the SRA's Top Squash Scheme was successful and two clubs in Middlesex were selected to build on-going links with two schools each at the 7-11 age group.

It is difficult to create a sense of County identity in an urban County like Middlesex with its massive population, local transport difficulties and many competing attractions. Our aim is to reach more squash players in the County has been helped considerably in recent years by the circulation of the Middlesex League Newsletter. This contains brief accounts of the many local squash activities and is printed five or six times a year. We have also created a multi-colour hand-out entitled "Squash in Middlesex" as well as the Junior events calendar produced each year.

Overall, the Middlesex SRA attempts to promote squash in the county, if not from the cradle to the grave, at least from the under 10 to the over 65 age groups.

The Middlesex Open Championships were first run in 1937 and have been held nearly every year except for the war years of 1939-45; former mens champions include Hiddy Jahan, Stuart Davenport and Mark Chaloner, while the womens champions include Lisa Opie, Sue Devoy, Sue Wright and Rebecca Macree. They have attracted entries from Ireland, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Africa in addition to those from the UK.

In recent years our junior players have included several nationally ranked and nearly all of our senior county teams are in the Premier Divisions. in 2007 Middlesex won the Mens over 45 Inter-County title, were runners-up in the Mens over 55 event and third in the 0ver 35 event. The Womens first and second teams reached their National Finals Weekend.

Awards-for-All grants have been gained by the Junior and Senior County Committees, by the League (to supply all Junior League players with eye protection) and by several clubs in the county.