The new Olympic sport of squash was born in this British prison

Thousands of commuters who use Ludgate Hill train station in the heart of London every day are walking through sporting history without even realizing it. The Fleet Prison was once located here, where the pioneering game of squash was invented in the early 19th century. Because that is the age of the game, which, as announced earlier this week, will be included in the 2028 Games along with cricket, baseball, softball, lacrosse and… Football flag It becomes an Olympic discipline. It’s been coming for a while: squash has already been shortlisted three times before.

In the early 19th century, prisoners could usually rely on a harsh regime, but at the Fleet Prison things were a little more relaxed. This also relates to the type of criminals, in many cases those convicted of property crimes and people who cannot pay their debts. Some were even allowed to live in the area surrounding the prison, under strict conditions.

The semi-open nature of the Fleet Prison included opportunities for exercise. The original squash was actually a modification of the more common game of real tennis, where the walls were also part of the court. Within the walls of the institution, resources and spaces were smaller. However, the prisoners had a lot of fun with the game.

internal school

This found its way to other prisons, and soon afterwards to British boarding schools. Educational institutions have come up with their own variables. Since the mid-19th century, vulcanized rubber balls have provided additional enjoyment to games. Even then, harder leather examples were used.

Young boys grew up in boarding schools and some continued to play the sport. They took the game to the country and spread it to the rest of the world, especially the outer parts of the British Empire.

Of two types, Missiles And fiveSquash originated at Harrow boarding school in London in the 1860s. The Harrow variant became the standard.

It did not become a popular sport. Exclusive gentlemen’s clubs have functions. And the really rich people who own big houses and enormous estates can play ball in their homes.

In 1928, Great Britain obtained a squash federation. It has helped improve the rules of the game and competitions.

To the Netherlands

The Netherlands did not learn about this sport until the mid-1930s. Jan Fentener van Vlissingen, head of Steenkolen Handels Vereeniging, had become familiar with the game in England and had a track built in Utrecht. Reporter from idol He had difficulty following the ball: “The sudden antics of small round objects are the reason why players develop tremendous speed and dexterity.” According to him, the new sport required extreme fitness and flexibility and was “so grueling” that “no one could last for more than an hour.”

In 1940, the Dutch Championships were held for the first time, but squash had not yet taken off in the Netherlands. NRC Handelsblad He noted in early 1975 that the sport “wasn’t very well known.” “Many will never see it.” But this will change soon.

At the time, the Dutch Squash Rackets Association (NSRB) had 1,200 members who could play on 21 courts across the country. Rapid change was needed by removing the sport from its exclusive club atmosphere.

This worked remarkably well in the last quarter of the twentieth century. The number of squash players and squash courts has increased tremendously. This century, padel has emerged as a formidable competitor, but recognition as an Olympic sport may lead to a resurgence.

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