About

Squash NB is the regulating body for squash in New Brunswick. It represents over 250 amateur squash players, and develops, coordinates and actively promotes the games of squash. It is one of ten provincial and two territorial associations which are part of Squash Canada.

Squash New Brunswick is a recognized sport governing body and receives considerable financial support for its programs and activities from the provincial government. In fact, more than half of the funding for squash at the provincial is provided by Culture, Tourism and Healthy Living. Squash Canada also provides some funding for travel to national meetings and tournaments.

History

Organized squash in New Brunswick started in the mid 1970's, when about 10 fervent squash players, headed by Heinz Scholz, formed the Moncton Squash Club. An equally small number of squash enthusiasts in Fredericton, under Gerry Poulton, soon followed suit and created the UNB Squash Club. At that time, the American courts at Universite de Moncton in Moncton and UNB in Fredericton. However, instead of hardball, the international softball was already played on these courts.

Soon friendly team competitions were held between the two clubs including occasional trips to PEI and Halifax. As early as 1976, the first of many successful "Maritime Invitational" was held in Moncton, attracting a grand total of 27 players from NB, PEI, NS and Newfoundland.

It was at one of these gatherings that Ian Black initiated the move toward an organized and duly constituted provincial sport body. Eventually, on November 18th, 1978 the New Brunswick Squash Association was proclaimed, with Jon Lett as the first president of "Squash New Brunswick"

A year later, in 1979, the first private club was built in Moncton, Centre City Racquet Club (later called Sneakers Fitness Club), which offered two international size courts. This was followed by the construction of three international squash courts at CFB Gagetown, Oromocto, two international courts at the YMCA in Fredericton, and finally the conversion of two racquetball courts into squash courts at the Harbourside Club in Saint John.

Squash had finally arrived, and squash in NB then headed by Alan Smith (who later moved on to Ottawa to become the Executive Director of the Canadian Squash Racquets Association) increased its membership from about 40 to 120 within just a few years. A wide range of programs were implemented to develop all aspects of squash, from player development to coaching and refereeing certification.

The highlight for all players in the province came in 1983 when, due to the efforts of Alan Smith, Squash NB had the honor of hosting its first national event, the Canadian Provincial Men's Team Championship, at CFB Gagetown, Oromocto. This gave New Brunswick's players the first chance to watch the best players from across Canada competing against each other. By this time, Moncton, because of its geographical location, had become the squash centre in the province. Sneakers Fitness Club converted two racquetball courts into squash courts, and a further two temporary conversions for tournaments. The Maritime Invitational now attracted more than its maximum number of 130 entries.

In 1986, a group of Moncton squash players added yet another high profile tournament, the Canadian Airlines Challenge, were eight top ranked squash professionals from Canada were invited to compete, for prize money, against the eight best amateurs from the Atlantic region. This huge success was repeated in 1987.

However, in 1988, when Squash New Brunswick was celebrating its 10th anniversary, we were suddenly faced with, first the closure of the Harbourside in Saint John, shortly followed by the closure of Sneakers in Moncton. This left players, as well as Squash New Brunswick, stunned for a while.

Yet, there is no doubt, squash is here to stay. Thanks to Peter Klohn (and other Saint John Squash players) and RCS-Netherwood Headmaster Paul Kitchen, a two court facility was built at the school in Rothsay. Since its opening in March 1989, the cooperative "Kennebecasis Squash Club" at Rothsay and can also boast a well organized junior development program under Pam Conolly an Peter Fleming.

For awhile Moncton players had to readjust but now thanks to an initiative by Jim Morris, Matt Goobie and a handful of friends a growing number of them are now playing at Squash Moncton who can brag about having 6 international courts with 3 courts that convert into 2 doubles court.

In addition, a squash court has been built in Edmunston, and for the first time squash is played in four regions. Squash NB's membership now totals well over 250 players.