Rackets
The precursor to squash, rackets evolved during the 18th century in London debtors’ prisons, specifically the King Bench and the Fleet. The gentlemen, incarcerated until they could find the wherewithal to repay their creditors, modified the game of fives by using tennis rackets to speed up the action. They played in the yard against the prison wall and sometimes at a corner to add a sidewall. Rapidly, the popularity of Rackets grew and the game spread to taverns, schools, and private clubs; it was an Olympic sport as far back as 1908. Today, Rackets is played on a four-wall court in schools and private clubs across England and North America. Although no speed test has ever been formally conducted, it has been postulated to be the second fastest ball sport in the world.
Rackets is inclusive to all genders and levels of experience, and we welcome enquiries from those with a disability regarding the accessibility of rackets.
Our Club | Oxford University Rackets Club
The club welcomes new members. Although the University’s rackets court is no longer in use, the club trains at Radley College. There are opportunities to compete in the inter-university championships and each year the Varsity against Cambridge takes place at the Queen’s Club.
For all club enquiries feel free to send us an email through the following link:
