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While major growth in the game of squash
took place in the 1970's and 80's, along with the professionalism
of the 90's, it is interesting to think back to those far-seeing
few in the 1930's who felt that it was a game for the future
and would therefore need a structure to develop on. One of
these was Mr J.C. Allan who was instrumental in founding Watsonians
Squash Club in 1934. The following are some notes based on
his personal reminiscences about how Scottish Squash Raquets
Association came into being.
Watsonians found few organised clubs to play against in 1935,
there were courts at Edinburgh Academy, Fettes College, Glasgow,
Aberdeen and Brechin, plus one or two local private ones in
Edinburgh, although quite a lot of other private courts, mostly
now out of existence, were scattered around the country.
On February 15 1936, Mr T.J. Carlyle Gifford, who had his
own court at Belford, sent out a circular letter inviting
all interested parties to attend a meeting in the Watsonians
pavillion at Myreside on February 28, where the proposal was
agreed that a Scottish Squash Raquets Association be formed.
A steering committee of John Dunlop, a Chartered
Accountant from Glasgow, Alex Gray, a lawyer from Aberdeen
and Mr Allan (Secretary) drew up a draft constitution, which
was approved at a meeting of squash raquets representatives
on the October 2 1936, attended by 13 people.
The first president was Mr T.J. Carlyle Gifford and the secretary,
Mr R.J. Henderson also of Edinburgh. The subscription was
10/- per court, though even then a strong argument was put
in favour of a 'per capita' scheme. The Auditors were Messrs
Chiene & Tait.
In the first year there were six club members
(Edinburgh Sports Club, Watsonians, SSRC, RAF Turnhouse, Edinburgh
Academy, Aberdeen SRC and four individual members growing
to approximately 38 clubs and 16 individuals when the amalgamation
took place between the SSRA and the Scottish Women's Squash
Raquets Association (which was founded in October 1937 with
E.E Knox as president and Miss S. Millar as secretary).
Even before the formal founding of the association the first
Scottish Men's Championship was held. The self-appointed Championship
Committee was Sir Stewart Stewart-Clark and his brother, J.C.,
Mr Carlyle Gifford, Messrs D.S. Carson, R.Lyle, R.J. Henderson,
Captain E.D. Stevenson and Mr Allan himself as secretary and
treasurer. He also in his own words, remained a selector for
a number of years because he 'was about the only official
who couldn't possibly pick himself!' There were 20 entrants
to the first championships with the preliminary sections of
the tournament being played in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with
the semi-finals and final being played at Myreside on February
28 and March 2, 1936.
The winner was Ian Crabbie who beat Sir Stewart Stewart-Clark
3-2 iin a match watched bt 45 spectators. In the following
year the finals were held at the newly opened Edinburgh Sports
Club, where the championships remained until the early 1980's.
The first ladies' championship was won by Miss E.E. Knox in
December 1937. The ladies also have a unique doubles championships
played on the only doubles court, at that time, in the country
at the Edinburgh Sports Club.
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