And it's even the subject of a song by Australian urban folk musician Darren Hanlon, who praises its cardiovascular benefits.

Now the humble game of squash is making a resurgence in Bendigo.

Nearly 200 players are involved in competitions at the Bendigo Squash Centre each week, ranging from casual and beginners, to club pennant and Friday night fun.

It's a far cry from two years ago when fewer than 50 people graced the centre's Barnard Street courts on a weekly basis.

Russell McLean, who operates the centre, concedes toying with the idea of closing the centre, but is sure glad it never eventuated.

A bid for fresh ideas and fresh faces at committee-level was launched

"Two years ago we were looking at the success of failure of the club and the continuance of the sport in Bendigo, as we are the only club around," McLean said.

"Closing the doors was one option.

"But I'm a bit stubborn and thought it's too good a sport to let go, we are seeing growth in other sports, we just need a new, younger group to take over."

About a month on from a hugely successful Bendigo International Squash Championship and graded event, the club boasts a committee of 24, up from about six this time two years ago.

McLean said there had been a noticeable sharing of the load around the club during the tournament, which wasn't always evident.

"We've had tournaments similar to the international five or six years ago and before that we had an Australian closed tournament a few years before that," he said.

"But it really came down to three or four major contributors who did a lot of volunteer work and put their heart and soul into it.

"The real exciting thing about our club now is there was a good 30 to 40 members who put a lot of work in this time."

That collective effort was rewarded with entries for the graded event doubling on the previous year from 90 to 180.

More than 70 enthusiasts - some of them virtual newcomers to the sport - attended a social event on the Saturday night of the tournament, which was also attended by Australia's former world number on player Geoff Hunt.

"They are a fantastic group to be around," McLean said.

The club offers casual squash from 4-7pm Monday to Thursday; beginners play 7-9pm Wednesdays; club pennant Monday and Tuesday nights; and a Friday fun night on the last Friday of each month.

A weekly junior tournament for players aged 11 to 17 runs every Wednesday from 4.30pm-6pm and has done so since April.

Cost is just $6, with racquets and protective eyewear provided and shoe hire if required.

Why do I bother I don't know

I'll turn off my radio

Day after day

The airways are awash

With songs of ones in love

And those who are out of

There's just not enough songs about squash

Maybe to you it's just a game

Somewhere you heard the name

Not for the claustrophobic

A pastime for the posh

Without sounding too peculiar

If it's a cardiovascular

You're after then you can't go past squash

Netball, t-ball, orienteering

Are all worth a second hearing

Football, handball, four-in-a-square

Are all good but they just don't compare

I hope I'm speaking clearly

Because there's no not nearly

Enough songs about squash

Oh no it's raining

We'll have to cancel tennis training

But look here, never fear

Throw down that mackintosh

I know a game under a roof

It's just four walls and the truth

It's fun, rain, hail or sun

It's squash

Red dot, green dot, yellow dot ball

Try and bounce it off the wall

Headband, wristband, fuzzy handled racket

Can't some DJ play a squash song in their bracket?

Though I'm not trying to fool ya

It'll either kill or cure ya

It's squash

You see there's not enough songs

There's not enough songs

There's not enough songs about squash

There's not enough songs

There's not enough songs

There's not enough songs about squash