History

Brief History of Australian Racquetball

Following a study tour of the U.S. in 1977 by a number of Australian squash court owners, who were looking at establishing another sport to be incorporated onto Australian squash courts, Australian Racquetball was conceived.

Australian Racquetball was launched at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club squash court s during 1978, and the same evening on the Don Lane Show, a high rating national variety show, where a portable squash court was erected in the Channel 9 studios.

Australian Racquetball is played on the standard international squash court (32 ft. long x 21 ft. wide), which differs enormously to the American version of the game, which is played on a court which is 40 ft. long x 20 ft. wide. The different sized court creates the majority of rule differences.

In the American game, the server must stand within a service zone, which is positioned within the centre of the court, whereas in the Australian game the server stands anywhere in front of the short line.

Another major difference is that in the American game the roof is in play, whereas in Australian Racquetball the ball is out when it touches any part of the roof. The American game also has no tin on the front wall, whereas the Australian game has.

The governing body for the sport of Australian Racquetball is the Victorian Racquetball Federation, which is based at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Aughtie Drive, Albert Park, Melbourne.