How do you celebrate a 75th anniversary?  A dinner perhaps, a nostalgic look backwards or maybe even a special tournament?  

Not if you are Scottish Squash and Racketball Limited. The innovative governing body has used the special mark in time to introduce a completely new sport, two new team activities and look firmly towards the future. 

And so it was that on the anniversary – October 2 - an old, disused library in Glasgow’s Easterhouse became the unlikely setting for the world’s launch of Racquet Wall.  

In the build-up to the 75th anniversary, John Dunlop, the Chief Executive Officer of SSRL, has been hard at work. He has put together a strategy document, ‘Bounce Back’ and the goal is to spread the appeal of squash through the introduction of a variety of rebound ball sports. 

“We want to hit the mass market,” said Dunlop. “The plan is all about increasing participation. We want kids, young women and adults all to get involved and we feel it is a very exciting and refreshing view towards sport in Scotland.”

Mini squash in schools and Racketball – an easier to play version of squash that was launched in Scotland around two years ago - have already proved to be highly successful and Racquet Wall is the latest initiative. 

It is basically the same as squash with a softer and bigger ball and without the use of side walls. But there are sill markings on the court and the ball has to be hit into certain areas for serving and receiving.  

The two new team events outlined in Bounce Back are Racketball 3s, which is for teams of three playing on two courts and is aimed at young men, while Racketball 2s is a fitness sport geared towards women.   

“At the moment, the most popular activities in Scotland are five-a-side football for men and Zumba for women and these are the people that we want to get into Racketball and Racquet Wall,” explained Dunlop. 

The new Glasgow project is linked to a charity, Easterhouse Phoenix Development, run by Richard McShane and aimed at reducing deprivation within the area. Football, table tennis, cycling and badminton have already proved successful activities and Racquet Wall has now been added to the list. 

A Racquet Wall is the initial strand of a massive refurbishment project carried out by volunteers that is set to transform The Old Library into a community facility.  It is already proving to be a big hit with  the youngsters.  

“It is great to have somewhere for people to go and take part in something,” said McShane. “It is all about providing opportunities and we are delighted to be the first to welcome Racquet Wall.” 

Alan Murphy, the Director of Easterhouse Phoenix Development and another of the hard working volunteers, explained that the Old Library is going to become a gathering place for old and young.  

“There will be a Pensioners’ Club, a function area and room for all sorts of activities,” he explained.  “It all started with football and Richard has done a great job. Racquet Wall is something new and the kids have already started to enjoy it.”  

Ron Pearman, the Chairman of SSRL helped paint the first Racquet Wall court, and he remarked: “The new strategy is through an appraisal of the issues affecting participation in sport and squash in particular. I believe the launch of Racquet Wall in conjunction with Easterhouse Phoenix Development is proof of our commitment to encourage everyone to bash a ball against a wall.” 

Bounce Back and SSRL’s bid to expand squash has already gained commendation from both the World Squash Federation and the European Squash Federation.  

“This is a very strong plan and well researched,” said Andrew Shelley, the Chief Executive Officer of the WSF. “The new variants of Racketball will increase participation and Racquet Wall will raise awareness and encourage trial of our sports.”  

Dunlop has been bold enough to take a good hard look at squash - and he has realised that t is a long time since the boom era of the 1970s.  

“But if we can get people playing Racketball and Racquet Wall then they could progress to squash,’ he said. “But, in Scotland, there is a real need to get everyone to be more active and that is our aim, mass participation.”

RM

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