“Racketball is one of the fastest growing
sports in the UK, and throughout England
clubs are reaping the rewards of introducing the sport to their members,”
says Justyn Price, England Squash Area Manager London, who has recently
been given national responsibility for racketball.
As an example he cites the experience of
the Devon and Exeter Club: “Six weeks ago the sport of racketball was
almost unheard of at the club. However, just over a month later, the club
boasted seven internal rackeball leagues, had held a Club Championship,
and (in early February) held the first ever Devon County Racketball
Championships.
“The game has proved so popular that the
club shop has been inundated with requests for racketball equipment, and
the courts are packed with people of all ages trying racketball,” says
Price.
Club owner Adam Lings commented: “When Matt
Baker [England Squash Area Manager] suggested this initiative I must admit
I never in my wildest dreams expected such a response.”
England’s top squash players are also
embracing racketball. World no.5 Nick Matthew has accepted the challenge
of playing National Racketball Champion Darryl Selby, and for the first
time major squash brands are introducing racketball equipment to their
product ranges.
“As well as being a great game for
experienced squash players, racketball is perfect for people looking to
play a fun and competitive sport,” explains Price. “A forty-minute
racketball match is also a fantastic cardio-vascular workout, for players
of all abilities.”
With the support of the other seven Area
Managers, Price will be on hand to help clubs across the country get
involved with and develop the sport.
Manchester City Council has recently
introduced a racketball programme in leisure centres throughout the city,
and sessions have been full of people from all walks of life giving the
game a try.
“With tournaments sweeping the country, and
more and more people getting involved, it’s a great time for clubs to
embrace racketball,” says Price.
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