Hardball Doubles Squash was invented in Philadelphia, PA in 1907 and was standardized in the early 1920s. Today, there are four major doubles organizations overseeing more than 15,000 players in North America: Squash Canada, U.S. Squash, the International Squash Doubles Association (ISDA) and Women’s Doubles Squash Association (WDSA). These four groups manage all aspects of doubles play, from beginner to elite professional, and work together to grow and promote the game.
Since 2000, the men’s tour (ISDA) has grown to 20 events with over $70,000 in prize money annually. The women’s tour (WDSA), formed in 2007, is approaching $100,000 and recently hosted a $50,000 event in New York. With more than 175 Hardball Doubles courts in North America, the sport is well positioned for future growth.
The U.S. and Canada alternate hosting the World Hardball Doubles Championship every two years. Canada hosted the 2011 Championships featuring women’s teams from five countries, while the men represented 10 different nations.
For more information on the ISDA visit http://www.isdasquash.com
For more information on the WDSA visit http://www.wdsatour.com
Hardball Doubles in Canada
Hardball doubles has been a fixture of Canadian Squash since the early 1930s. Five Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec) house all 36 courts in the country. The Canadian Doubles National Championships were first played in 1934 and, with the exception of 1938, have been played every year since then. Provincial Championships are held in four of the five provinces and over 1,100 players participate in Doubles Squash leagues across the country. It is estimated that there are over 4,000 hardball doubles players in Canada.
Canadian Doubles Structure
The Squash Canada Doubles Committee reports to the Squash Canada Board of Directors. It is made up of three sub-committees: Doubles Competition Committee, Doubles Development Committee and Doubles Officiating Committee. Together, they represent all doubles committees and professional doubles organizations (IDSA and WDSA) in the country. By collaborating with U.S. Squash, international events, tournament schedules, rules and officiating, doubles will continue to thrive in North America.
Click here to view the North American Doubles Rankings.
Click here to see the 2011-2012 North American Doubles Schedule.
Squash Canada Doubles National Championships
Each year, Squash Canada holds the Canadian National Doubles Championships for men, women and mixed doubles in 40+ to 80+ age divisions. In 2010, over 300 players participated.
For more information on the Squash Canada Doubles National Championships click here
The CAN AM Cup
Canadian and American doubles teams compete every second year for the Can-Am Cup. The first event was held in Boston, MA in October 2008. It brings together the best men’s and women’s doubles squash players from across North America in a “Ryder Cup” team format with open and age group categories. The 2010 event took place in Toronto with over 50 elite level players from each country participating.
For more information on the CAN AM Cup click here.
Canadian Doubles Court Locations:
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