Joe Sobek: Inventor of Racquetball
History of Racquetball
The game of racquetball was invented by Joseph Sobek in the USA in 1950's. Sobek was a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut where he was also a professional tennis and handball player. Growing tired of the indoor sports that were available, he sought a fast-paced sport that was easy to learn and play. After he and his partner began using paddles to play handball, he created a set of rules based on those of squash and handball, and in 1949 he named his game “paddle rackets.” Later the sport was re-named racquetball and the sport spread worldwide.
Further Reading:
Litsky, F. (1998) 'Joseph Sobek, the Inventor Of Racquetball, Dies at 79', The New York Times White, C. (2018) 'The Father of Racquetball- Joseph G. Sobek', Greenwich Library
The game of racquetball was invented by Joseph Sobek in the USA in 1950's. Sobek was a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut where he was also a professional tennis and handball player. Growing tired of the indoor sports that were available, he sought a fast-paced sport that was easy to learn and play. After he and his partner began using paddles to play handball, he created a set of rules based on those of squash and handball, and in 1949 he named his game “paddle rackets.” Later the sport was re-named racquetball and the sport spread worldwide.
Further Reading:
Litsky, F. (1998) 'Joseph Sobek, the Inventor Of Racquetball, Dies at 79', The New York Times White, C. (2018) 'The Father of Racquetball- Joseph G. Sobek', Greenwich Library
Racquetball in Ireland
Racquetball arrived in Ireland in the late seventies. As the story goes, JJ Jennings, then President of the GAA Handball Council, while on a trip to the USA witnessed racquetball being played and before returning home Jennings gathered up some racquets and balls to bring home to Ireland and so began the sport of racquetball in Ireland.
However in the early days, racquetball was unknown in Ireland. It was a major project to get the sport introduced to a new audience. The idea of the sport had to be pitched to sports centres that had handball courts that both sports could now be played in the same court. It was also a task to re-assure handball clubs that racquetball was not a danger to them and both sports could compliment and benefit from each other.
JJ encouraged his daughters to play handball without succcess but racquetbal looked like a good compromise. In a conversation with his daughter Catherine he mooted the setting up of an Association to foster the sport. Catherine and her husband Cathal Brugha set up the Racquetball Association of Ireland and JJ was invited to be the Chairman/President.
In those initial days, they organized various information meetings in sports centres and even used St Stephens Green in Dublin to advertise the sport to the general public. They also contacted sports commentators in radio and national newspapers to gain publicity for the new sport. A constitution was drawn up, recognition was received from the National Sports Council and a grant was secured.
First National Championships
The first racquetball tournaments were held in JJ's private court in Goatstown, Dublin and also in Tralee. The first All Ireland Championships were held in 1979 with Tom Hurley (Ashbourne) and Marie Duignan (Ballygall Road, Dublin) crowned Ireland's first National Racquetball Champions.
The first racquetball tournaments were held in JJ's private court in Goatstown, Dublin and also in Tralee. The first All Ireland Championships were held in 1979 with Tom Hurley (Ashbourne) and Marie Duignan (Ballygall Road, Dublin) crowned Ireland's first National Racquetball Champions.
The Formation of the Racquetball Association of Ireland
Soon it was the fastest growing sport in Ireland and Cathal and Catherine asked Philip and Marie Duignan to join them. The first AGM was held on the 30th June 1980 at the Deerpark Lounge, Harlech Grove, Roebuck Road, Dublin.
At the AGM, a constitution was adopted and the officers elected were:
Chairman: JJ Jennings
Secretary: Cathal Brugha
Treasurer: Philip Duignan
Assistant Secretary: Catherine Brugha.
Soon it was the fastest growing sport in Ireland and Cathal and Catherine asked Philip and Marie Duignan to join them. The first AGM was held on the 30th June 1980 at the Deerpark Lounge, Harlech Grove, Roebuck Road, Dublin.
At the AGM, a constitution was adopted and the officers elected were:
Chairman: JJ Jennings
Secretary: Cathal Brugha
Treasurer: Philip Duignan
Assistant Secretary: Catherine Brugha.
World Championships 1981
A National team (both men's and women's) was formed in 1981. The team competed at the 1981 World Games in Santa Clara, USA. It was the first team to represent Ireland at an international competition. The team was managed by Cathal Brugha. Cathal coordinated the travel arrangements for the team including special hotel rates through contacts in the USA. He also arranged Irish gifts sponsored by Tullamore Dew and Cream Liqueur. Bord Fauilte pins wre also presented as gifts. Practice sessions were arranged by Cathal for the team at racquetball clubs in Allentown, Pennsylvania and in California.
Philip Duignan who held a senior position in the PMPA Insurance Co Ltd secured sponsorship of the team along with McBirney's Store in Dublin and another team member Mick Moss got sponsorship from the New Balance Shoe Company. The team was kitted out with blazers and bags with the newly formed Racquetball Association of Ireland logo (see above) designed by Catherine Brugha.
Mens Team: Tom Hurley (Sutton), Philip Duignan (Ballygall), Peadar McGee (Newport), Andy Byrne (Ashbourne), Mick Moss (Tralee)
Ladies Team: Marie Duignan (Ballygall &PMPA), Paula Jennings (Drumartin), Marian Cullinane (Claremorris), Mavis O`Toole (Na Fianna), Catherine Donegan (Mitchelstown)
Manager/Coach: Cathal Brugha.
The Ladies team put in a great performance taking 2nd place to the USA and the Men's Team was placed 4th.
A National team (both men's and women's) was formed in 1981. The team competed at the 1981 World Games in Santa Clara, USA. It was the first team to represent Ireland at an international competition. The team was managed by Cathal Brugha. Cathal coordinated the travel arrangements for the team including special hotel rates through contacts in the USA. He also arranged Irish gifts sponsored by Tullamore Dew and Cream Liqueur. Bord Fauilte pins wre also presented as gifts. Practice sessions were arranged by Cathal for the team at racquetball clubs in Allentown, Pennsylvania and in California.
Philip Duignan who held a senior position in the PMPA Insurance Co Ltd secured sponsorship of the team along with McBirney's Store in Dublin and another team member Mick Moss got sponsorship from the New Balance Shoe Company. The team was kitted out with blazers and bags with the newly formed Racquetball Association of Ireland logo (see above) designed by Catherine Brugha.
Mens Team: Tom Hurley (Sutton), Philip Duignan (Ballygall), Peadar McGee (Newport), Andy Byrne (Ashbourne), Mick Moss (Tralee)
Ladies Team: Marie Duignan (Ballygall &PMPA), Paula Jennings (Drumartin), Marian Cullinane (Claremorris), Mavis O`Toole (Na Fianna), Catherine Donegan (Mitchelstown)
Manager/Coach: Cathal Brugha.
The Ladies team put in a great performance taking 2nd place to the USA and the Men's Team was placed 4th.
Cathal Brugha
Co-founder, was the first elected General Secretary of the Association in 1980.
He also wrote the first RAI Constitution . He managed the first Irish International team to the World Games in the USA in 1981. From his work with World Games, Cathal Brugha was invited to become Vice President for Europe on the International Amateur Racquetball Federation now the International Racquetball Federation.
Co-founder, was the first elected General Secretary of the Association in 1980.
He also wrote the first RAI Constitution . He managed the first Irish International team to the World Games in the USA in 1981. From his work with World Games, Cathal Brugha was invited to become Vice President for Europe on the International Amateur Racquetball Federation now the International Racquetball Federation.
Philip Duignan
The first elected Treasuer of the Association in 1980. He later became General Secretary and President of the Association. Philip was a founder member of the European Racquetball Federation (ERF) and served as General Secretary to the ERF. He was also Irish National Champion in 1983 and 1984 and won the National Doubles titles on 5 occasions. He also represented Ireland at World and European Championships.
A special thanks to Catherine Brugha, Philip Duignan, Marie Duignan and John Comerford who has provided photographs and information on the foundation of the Racquetball Association of Ireland.
