Founded in 1934 the Scottish Squash Rackets Club (SSRC) has nestled quietly on Malloch Street for the past 90 years. But venture inside this hidden gem, to a sports club investing in the Maryhill community it calls home.
It’s a beautiful Tuesday morning in September when I make the short bicycle ride from my home to the SSRC. Now, many of you, like me will have passed the small sports complex on bike rides or on foot, bypassing Maryhill Road. It sits quietly on Malloch Street on the border between Kelvinside and Maryhill.
I am meeting Ken Lumsden, club member who has agreed to give me a tour of the squash and racket club. Sitting down in the newly refurbished bar area, Ken gives me a little history lesson.
History of the Club
“The building was built in 1934 by the British Army who were and still are, based in Maryhill Barracks. They had returned from an overseas deployment where they had been playing squash and returned home and built their own club.’ Ken gestures to some beautifully lacquered wood which frames the surround of the bar. ‘This is wood from the original courts.”
Opening the door from the bar, we enter the corridor to the squash courts. They are enormous! This small, unassuming little club is actually, as Ken says, a Tardis.
Knowing little about the sport, Ken gives me a run down, pointing to the appropriate lines around the court and walls.
“The game Squash originated at Harrow Scholl in North London in 1830; the original court is still there. The game is played across the world by over 20 million people in 185 countries. It’s more often than not played as a singles game, in a court of four walls with a ‘tin’(line) at the front wall which is fundamentally a net. The ball must be played above this.”
Facilities
The centre also caters for racketball. My ignorance makes me ask what the difference is. Ken shows me the different dimensions of squash vs racket equipment: the rackets themselves and the balls. With a higher bounce, racketball is a slower game, giving players a little more time to get to the ball. It’s a nice option for keeping active as squash players get a little older. Or indeed as a stand-alone game for those of us who don’t quite yet meet the ‘energetic’ requirements of squash. Upstairs, the viewing gallery gives a fantastic vista of the courts; the echo of a squash game underway rises to us.
With male and female saunas onsite too, this is a great option for a new activity, especially over the colder months. The courts are even heated.
But this local institution is so much more than a private sports club. The SSRC are very much invested in the community. Ken says “We offer the local schools access to the club – that includes free coaching with qualified staff during school days. This has been very productive for the school kids who are extremely enthusiastic in their participation. A mixture of fun games are played in the four courts for the kids.” It’s a great introduction to the sport and a way to get younger players interested. Ken notes that they have a few younger players coming for free coaching out-with the school’s programme. Weekly free coaching is also available for members of all levels of play.
Members Old and New
Encouraging young people into the sport, a committed membership – the club even has gents and ladies’ teams who all play in the West of Scotland Leagues. There is also a Racketball section who play matches during the summer months. I can see from the trophy cabinet that the teams are doing quite well. And with members travelling from all over Glasgow and beyond to play, it’s clear that this hidden gem has the reputation it deserves.
And is the club looking for new blood? Ken says “We welcome new members as we are an extremely friendly club to players of all standards. We believe that we offer an excellent product with well-maintained courts, changing facilities and a recently refurbished lounge area.”
Ken also notes that the club are happy to speak to other fitness professionals who may be looking for some space for their classes. With the courts being quieter at certain times of the day, it’s an untapped resource that wouldn’t cost the earth to use.
As I bid farewell to Ken and cycle home, I realise the little SSRC building on Malloch St will never be the same again. For inside, I know this Tardis is a portal to another world…of squash, of racketball, of community.
Visit the website below for more information and membership enquiries
Scottish Squash Rackets Club
10 Malloch St
G20 8TP
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