Scottish churches embrace new sporting craze

The Church of Scotland is set to roll out a brand new sport in its churches following a successful pilot in east Glasgow.

Racquet WALL is similar to squash but played on only one wall. The game proved hugely popular in trials with a local primary school at the Church of Scotland-run Church House in Bridgeton.

The venture has been developed by the Scottish Churches Commonwealth Games programme in association with Scottish Squash and Racketball Limited (SSRL), who said the response from children had been "astonishing".

Following the official launch this Wednesday, churches across Scotland will soon be hosting the game to help as many youngsters get involved as possible.

Chris Plews, Churches’ Commonwealth Games co-ordinator, said: “The 2014 Games gives us a chance to develop new health opportunities for young people, and we believe that church facilities are well placed to be resources.

“It’s great that Racquet WALL has been such a hit with kids from the east end.

“Racquet WALL uses a standard racketball racquet and racketball ball. It is so easy to pick up. All we need is a decent sized wall and the line markings – it’s that simple. There is no reason why we cannot set up courts in church halls right across Scotland.”

John Dunlop, SSRL’s chief executive, said its priority was to engage people in the squash and racquet ball sports and tackle the "serious health and wellbeing issues that all of society faces today, which sport can help to address".

“We particularly want to give children of all ages, the opportunity to get involved in this fun new sport - giving them a sport they can do, a great work out, and improving their health and wellbeing," he said.

“Who knows, we might even in time produce the Scottish Squash stars of the future from Racquet WALL.

“With our new sport we simply say 'where there’s a wall, there’s a way'.”

The Scottish Churches’ Commonwealth Games programme, entitled More Than Gold, hopes to enable churches to serve and witness to their communities, the organisers, athletes and the many visitors who will attend the event.

Mr Plews said: “In the past churches at both the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games have offered a wide range of initiatives including hosting athletes’ families, providing chaplains in the athletes’ villages and even giving out water to the crowds.

“The Racquet WALL launch shows that we are committed to bringing an imaginative approach to the Games, and hope this will be the first of a long line of successful community-based partnerships.”