title: Squash in England
text: # Squash in England
  
  Squash is a popular sport in England. There is a long history of the sport in the country with many highly ranked English players, both in men's and women's squash.
  
  ## History of squash in England
  
  England is where squash was invented. Students at Harrow School in London created it in 1830 when they discovered the potential that a small, punctured rubber ball had for yielding a game where a variety of shots were possible. Originally played in alleys and courtyards, the first purpose-built squash court was erected in Oxford in 1883.
  
  ## Professional competitions
  
  Many professional squash competitions take place in England each year.
  
  ### PSA World Tour
  
  The PSA World Tour calendar includes many professional tournaments held in England every year. The most prestigious of these are the British Open Squash Championships (PSA150) and the Canary Wharf Squash Classic (PSA70).
  
  ### Premier Squash League
  
  The Premier Squash League runs every year from October to April. Teams consist of four men and one woman. There are two geographical divions (North and South, formerly known as A and B) and towards the end of the season the top two clubs from each division progress to the semi-finals.
  
  ## Top players
  
  English squash players have been known to dominate the world rankings.
  
  ### World number ones
  
  England has produced several world number ones:
  
  * Men:
     * Lee Beachill
     * Nick Matthew
     * James Willstrop
  * Women:
     * Lisa Opie
     * Cassie Jackman
     * Laura Massaro
  
  ### Highest ranked players
  
  In April 2018, the highest ranked English squash players were:
  
  * Men:
     * Nick Matthew (12)
     * James Willstrop (14)
     * Daryl Selby (19)
     * Declan James (25)
     * Tom Richards (33)
  * Women:
     * Laura Massaro (7)
     * Sarah-Jane Perry (8)
     * Alison Waters (10)
     * Victoria Lust (15)
     * Emily Whitlock (19)
  
  ## National teams
  
  England has national men's and women's teams that represent the country in international competitions.
  
  ## Commonwealth Games
  
  England players compete in the squash events of the Commonwealth Games, which are held every four years. At the 2018 games, English players James Willstrop and Sarah-Jane Perry won gold in the men's singles event and silver in the women's singles event respectively.
  
  ## Governance
  
  Squash in England is governed by England Squash.
  
  ## Amateur level
  
  At amateur level, each county in England has its own league with several divisions, where clubs affiliated to the county enter one or more teams. In 2010, Sport England statistics showed that 500,000 people regularly played squash in England, with 900 affiliated clubs and 4,500 squash courts across the country. The National Schools Championships was established in 1972 and has about 100 schools participating.
  
  