International Tours
In the early 1930s, trips to play squash across the Atlantic began to take place. These, of course, were of an unofficial variety and really only a group of friends going one way or the other, combining business with pleasure.
Between 1932 and 1936, five Canadians were elected members of the U.K. Jesters. In 1934 the U.K. Jesters toured Canada and the United Stated. In 1934 the Americans reciprocated and were all elected members of the club.
Canada formed a separate organization in 1948, and the size of the Club grew along with the development of squash in this country. In 1957 the South African branch of the Jesters Club was formed and tours between the U.K., Canada, United States and South Africa have been a regular occurrence.
Upcoming Tours
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2024 UK Tour to Canada
Trip Summary
2022 South African Tour to Canada
Trip Summary (Toronto)
After a Covid delay we were finally able to host nine South African Jesters as they passed thru Toronto as part of their 19 day cross Canada tour.
Four action packed days had them playing three matches at the Cricket Club, B&R and TRC clubs, and included an all day excursion to Niagara Falls (including wine tour) and a Blue Jays game.
A huge shout out to Captain Alex Carter for organizing this epic event and the Jesters who billeted players (Tim Bovaird, Rob Warden, Alex Carter, Mike Hobart, John Frederick, and Derek Riley) and also to Robin Clarke and Eric Baldwin for arranging the matches at their clubs.
2011 Canadian Tour to South Africa
Trip Summary
Canadian Team & Partners:
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Bob and Diane Dubeau (Montreal)
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Ivars and Susan Sayfy (Montreal)
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Vinnie Taylor (Ottawa)
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Molson and Lynn Robertson (Toronto)
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Dave Clements (Calgary)
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Doug and Jan MacDougall (Vancouver)
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Dave and Barb van Wely (Toronto and ex S.Africa)
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Simon Dorey (Vancouver)
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Alan Hunt and Carla Faris (Toronto)
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Frank Legacy and Leah Burton (Moncton & Ft.St John)
Simon's Tour Report:
My first glimpse of Southern Africa was the vast Namibian desert emerging from the morning mist with craggy mountains dotting the landscape. I am sure that we flew over various coastal towns as we approached Cape Town but inland it was pretty devoid of people until we saw the outskirts of Cape Town...
Fabulous hosting, wonderful things to see and do and great comradery on the team, definitely not a tour to be missed!
Highlights: warm weather, eating outdoors, no bugs, great hosting, wonderful scenery, meeting fellow Canadian Jesters from across the country, and, despite what we had read, no issues regarding security. A trip of a lifetime.
2008 South African Tour to Canada
I’ve enjoyed writing up this “History of the South African Jesters Tour to Canada 2008”. I have tried to describe the events that took place - not the least of which is the bond of friendship that developed between us South African Jesters during the 18 days since meeting at O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg. But I have not been able to describe comprehensively the quite staggering hospitality and friendship, let alone organisation, that was extended to us by the Canadian Jesters. The extraordinary lengths that everyone went to in Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver exceeded our wildest expectations. Every single day was jam packed with activities, squash, superb meals and great fun.
The Canadian Jesters demonstrated with distinction just what a wonderful Club Jesters is, why it promotes squash, and why it builds an international camaraderie that will endure for the generations of Jesters that will follow.
Steuart Pennington and the Team