British National Squash Championships: A Comprehensive History
The British National Squash Championships stand as a cornerstone of the sport, showcasing the highest level of competition in the United Kingdom. Since its inception, the tournament has evolved from a men-only event into a comprehensive championship that celebrates excellence across genders and age groups.
Key Facts
- Established: Men's championships began in 1974; women's followed in 1975.
- Women's Record: Cassie Campion holds the record with six titles.
- Men's Record: Nick Matthew holds the record with ten titles.
- Scheduling: Originally held in December, the event moved to January/February in 1991.
- Longest Venue Tenure: The National Squash Centre in Manchester hosted the event from 2003 to 2018.
Evolution of the Championships
The tournament first opened its doors to male competitors in 1974, expanding to include a women's tournament the following year. For the first few decades, the events were held in December, but a scheduling shift in 1991 moved the competition to the January/February window.
The championships have not been without controversy. In 1993, several leading male players boycotted the event. This protest was driven by disputes over prize money and the selection criteria used by the Squash Rackets Association for the England team.
Over time, the tournament expanded to be more inclusive of veteran athletes. The men's Over 70 event was introduced in 2005, followed by the men's Over 75 event in 2011.
Legendary Performances and Records
The history of the championships is defined by dominant athletes. In 2004, during her final competitive year, Cassie Campion secured her sixth title, surpassing the previous record held by Sue Cogswell. This remains the benchmark for the women's competition.
On the men's side, the 2012 final featured a clash of titans between World No. 1 Nick Matthew and World No. 2 James Willstrop. Matthew won the match 3–1, claiming his fourth title and equaling the record set by Phil Kenyon. By the time Matthew retired in 2018, he had extended this record to an unprecedented ten titles.
Tournament Venues Through the Years
The location of the championships has shifted frequently to accommodate the growth of the sport. Initially, the women's tournament was hosted separately at various locations, including the Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham, Dallington in Northamptonshire, and the Wembley Squash Centre. From 1983 onward, the men's and women's championships were unified at the same venue.
Manchester became a primary hub for the sport, with the National Squash Centre at Sportscity serving as the home of the championships for fifteen years between 2003 and 2018.
| Year | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1974-75 | Wembley Squash Centre | London |
| 1976 | Wimbledon Stadium | London |
| 1977-84 | Abbeydale Park | Dore, South Yorkshire |
| 1985-88 | Brunel Old Station | Bristol |
| 1989-91 | Eldon Square | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 1992 | Armitage Centre, University of Manchester | Manchester |
| 1993 | Village Hotel | Cheadle, Greater Manchester |
| 1994 | Herts Country Club | Welwyn Garden City |
| 1995 | Abbeydale Park | Dore, South Yorkshire |
| 1996 | Edgbaston Priory Club | Birmingham |
| 1997 | Northern Lawn Tennis Club | Manchester |
| 1998 | G-Mex | Manchester |
| 1999-2002 | Manchester Velodrome | Manchester |
| 2003-2018 | National Squash Centre | Manchester |
| 2019-2020 | David Ross Sports Village and Nottingham SRC | Nottingham |
| 2021 | National Squash Centre | Manchester |
| 2022 | David Ross Sports Village and Nottingham SRC | Nottingham |
| 2023-2025 | St George's Hill Lawn Tennis Club | Weybridge |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the women's championships begin?
The women's tournament was added in 1975, one year after the men's championships started.
Who holds the record for the most women's titles?
Cassie Campion holds the record with six titles, a milestone she achieved in 2004.
How many titles did Nick Matthew win?
Nick Matthew won a record ten British National titles by the time of his retirement in 2018.
Why did players boycott the 1993 tournament?
Leading male players protested against the amount of prize money and the selection criteria used by the Squash Rackets Association for the England team.
Where are the championships being held from 2023 to 2025?
The championships are hosted at the St George's Hill Lawn Tennis Club in Weybridge.