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05-Jun-08:
 PSA
Appoints Alex Gough As Chief Operating Officer
Former world No5 Squash player Alex Gough
has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of the Professional
Squash Association.
Gough will work closely with the
newly-appointed PSA CEO Richard Graham on the operational
aspects of Tour development, media coverage and promotion. His
primary role will be to instigate and monitor quality control on
all PSA Tour events, to ensure that they run to a consistently
high professional standard, and advise promoters on effective
management of their events.
Martin Macdonnell,
the PSA Board member who chaired the interview panel for the
recent CEO appointment, explained: "The majority of PSA events
are run very efficiently by highly experienced promoters, but as
we expand our Tour we are increasingly finding a need to assist
newer promoters in ensuring that their events are run in
accordance with our rules and marketed effectively to the Squash
public.
"We had identified a need for this position
before appointing the new CEO and the interview panel recommended
that now was the perfect time to further invest in the future of
the Tour. Alex's long term experience as a player and President
of PSA will make him effective from day one and his knowledge will
enable him to support the management and marketing experience of
our new CEO."
The 37-year-old Welshman, currently ranked 25
in the world, will immediately resign his position as President of
the PSA Board and retire from the Tour.
Alex Gough has enjoyed a distinguished career
in squash since graduating from Cardiff University with a first
class honours degree in mathematics. A member of the PSA since
1993, Gough has appeared in 16 Tour finals, with title triumphs in
10. He has represented Wales with distinction in eight World Team
Championships and 18 European Team Championships. In 2006, he won
the British Open Over-35 title, and in Bermuda last December
became the only unseeded player to reach the quarter-finals of the
World Open.
"I am extremely excited to have been given this
opportunity at the PSA," said Gough. "I believe we have found a
fantastic new CEO in Richard Graham and I am looking forward to
working closely with him. The PSA Tour, and squash as a whole,
has huge potential right now and I am looking forward to the
challenge of making the sport look as exciting and as attractive
as we can.
"The PSA is incredibly lucky to have a
fantastic depth of talent in its players and I know that they are
ready and willing to help push the sport to the next level. We
need the top players in the game to become well known
personalities in the wider sporting world and be identifiably
associated with the PSA brand." |
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02-Jun-08:
PSA appoints Richard Graham
as CEO
The Professional Squash Association has appointed Richard
Graham as its new Chief Executive. The former Chief
Operating Officer of the Parallel Media Group plc takes
up his position today (2 June).
"We received a very large number of applications for this great
opportunity - and from over 30 people who were seriously
considered for the appointment, we finally selected eight for
the short-list," said PSA Board member Martin Macdonnell,
Chairman of the Interview Panel.
"I was fortunate enough to be able to call on an interview panel
with a great depth of experience. In addition to the majority of
the PSA Board, the panel included Ziad Al-Turki, Vice
Chairman ATCO Group and promoter of both the Saudi International
Squash Tournament and the Super Series Finals; Peter Nicol
MBE, founder of Peter Nicol Squash and a Director of Eventis
Sports Marketing, promoters of the Canary Wharf Classic and
English Open; and Gordon Baird, the former Dunlop
Marketing Director and Managing Director of Adidas and
Timberland. Furthermore, the process was facilitated by PSA
Interim CEO Ted Wallbutton.
"The selection of Richard for the CEO post was unanimous and I
am confident that we have found and appointed a person with the
skill set and personality to take PSA forward into an exciting
new era," Macdonnell concluded.
Richard Graham brings to the role considerable experience in
sports marketing: During his tenure at Parallel Media Group plc
- an AIM-listed sports/media company - the company posted its
maiden profit, raising around €5 million in new sponsorship
revenue. Graham managed 16 staff in London and Hong Kong, and
the company ran two major golf tournaments in Asia for the PGA
European Tour.
Previously, the new PSA CEO worked with a number of sports
federations, including the Lawn Tennis Association, the
Lipton International Players Championships in Miami and
British Equestrian Promotions. Since leaving PMG in
January, Graham has acted as an independent sponsorship agent to
a variety of rights holders, including Birmingham City FC,
Honda F1 Racing, SnowsportGB and the English
Open Golf Championship.
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 "I’m
extremely excited about the potential that exists within squash and
delighted to be joining the PSA. I feel that all of the experience
that I have gained from working in sport can be brought together in
this role.
"My principal objective is to help create an environment in which
all professional squash players can have realistic expectations of
earning a good living from the sport.
"I believe that squash has a strong base from which the Tour, the
PSA’s commercial partnerships and the sport’s media coverage can
each be developed. It is in these three areas that I hope to focus
my energy from the outset.
"I’ve already been impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the
people that work within squash and in the PSA. I’m now looking
forward to meeting the players, event promoters and the various
federations within the game."
The PSA manages and promotes the men’s world professional squash
circuit from its head office in Cardiff, Wales. The annual PSA World
Tour, which forms the backbone of men's elite squash, features over
100 events, valued at US$2.6 million, in more than 40 countries. |
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31-May-08:
Richard Bramall
elected to PSA board
British lawyer Richard Bramall has been elected onto the board of
the Professional Squash Association.
Specialising in commercial, employment and insurance law, Bramall is
an equity partner in a firm of solicitors in Yorkshire, England.
With wide interests in sport, including Squash, motor sport, winter
sports and football, he is also a director of Pontefract Squash
Club.
 "It
was a huge honour and privilege to be approached to sit as a board
member of the PSA," said Bramall. "I have worked for some time as a
director of Pontefract Squash Club and have thoroughly enjoyed
helping with the challenges of running a successful Club, while
witnessing the success of the players of all abilities and levels.
"Squash is clearly at a very exciting and progressive stage with the
sport and player-profile increasing, which is in turn raising Tour
revenue. I will endeavour to play my part in ensuring that the trend
continues."
Bramall succeeds Jack Herrick as a Director of the PSA. Herrick, a
former Chairman, retired last month after 14 years on the Board.
An announcement on the new PSA Chief Executive is expected shortly
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27-May-08:
PSA
Revises
PAR Scoring Reporting
The Board of the PSA
has decided to revise the reporting of its scoring system with
effect from 1 June.
The PSA's move in August 2004 to reduce of
the points in a game from 15 to 11 transformed men's
professional squash - making the sport more attacking, more
exciting, and considerably enhancing its spectator and
television appeal.
When a game score reached 10-10, a
'tie-break' was introduced, the winner needing a lead of two
clear points. A game finishing at, say, '15-13' was reported as
'11-10 (5-3)'.
From 1 June, all game scores will be reported
in full.
"Our original intention was to make the
presentation of our results simpler, with all games finishing at
11 points," said PSA President Alex Gough. "But after
lobbying from various sections of the game - and the realisation
that the full presentation of the scores is clear and acceptable
to the general sports world - we have decided to make the
change."
Steve Cubbins,
the webmaster of
www.squashsite.co.uk and one of the leading
campaigners for the change, commented: "PSA's move to 11-scoring
was undoubtedly a great success, and the '2-clear' element added
much excitement to many matches.
"However the 11-10 (x-x) reporting method
took a simple system (first to 11, 2 clear) and made it
unnecessarily complicated, so SquashSite decided to report
matches 'as they happened', eg 15/13.
"We are delighted that a standard method of
recording the score, reflecting what actually happens, has been
agreed."
WISPA, who recently announced that the
women's professional game will also move to PAR scoring to 11 in
July, will also adopt the new presentation.
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Bye Bye Brackets
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 12-May-08:
WISPA to move
to PAR Scoring
In
the first scoring system change in the history of women's
professional squash, the Women’s International Squash Players'
Association has decided today that all matches played on the WISPA
World Tour from 21st July will move to what it terms
Pro-Scoring.
The decision, taken at today's WISPA Board meeting held on finals
day of the Dunlop British Open in Liverpool, will introduce scoring
of 'point a rally' to 11 points (PAR11) - the same as that used on
the PSA Men’s Tour. The initiative will be launched at the CIMB
Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.
"After a 16 month period of testing we have assured ourselves that
Pro-Scoring will work well for our Tour - it will be simple to
understand for spectators and viewers, and align the professional
game, the men having already settled into PAR 11," affirmed WISPA
Chief Executive Andrew Shelley.
WISPA President Natalie Grainger added: "Pro-Scoring has been
very enthusiastically received at our trial events so I am excited
that we have made the change. It will take our players a short while
to adapt to the different structure of games but I have no doubt
whatsoever that this is another forward step for women’s
international squash."
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NOTE:
Pro-Scoring is played best of
five games to 11 points, with points being scored irrespective of
which player serves. Where the score reaches ten all, the game will
be won by two clear points (which will be expressed as 11-10,
irrespective of the actual score, in the way that tennis tie
breaks are written as 7-6).
So says the addendum to the WISPA release.
The intention is apparently to just ignore the "extra points",
because non-squash people won't understand how games can finish on
other than 11.
For one, the tennis analogy is completely bogus, and two, why on earth would we
want to hide the actual score ?
11 reasons why it's a bad idea
A personal view,
from Steve Cubbins |
 05-May-08:
Europe goes PAR
At the European Squash Federation AGM in Amsterdam it was decided
that events run under the sanction of the ESF should use PAR to
11 two clear scoring, as used by PSA, for a trial period of one
year.
This will come into effect for the seniors from the European
Individual Championships in Bratislava, June 03-07, and for the
juniors from the Heriot-Watt Open, July 18-20.
This is undoubtedly good news at the elite level such as the
European Teams Men's Final (which took four and a half hours for
just three matches in Amsterdam), but the effect of shorter matches
on some of the other events will have to be looked at. It's also
understood that the scores of extended games will be recorded as,
for example, 15/13.
With the WISPA trial still progressing (due to be discussed at their
AGM at the British Open), and the WSF actively looking at a unified
scoring system, it seems that PAR to 11 currently has the wind in
its sails, and it may be just a matter of time before a single
scoring system for the whole of the sport is agreed.
No more 10/8 in Europe ... |
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 Carla
Khan retires
After a long period struggling with back injuries Carla Khan
has decided that she will not be competing on the Tour for the
foreseeable future. As the Londoner who took Pakistani
representation to follow in the footsteps of her top flight playing
father Wasil told WISPA:
"I just wanted to let you know that I have made a decision that for
the moment I will not be pursuing competitive squash, as since the
Swedish Open I realized that my health is more important."
Carla, aged 26, had reached 21 in the rankings and won five Tour
titles, most recently the Austrian Open in January 2008.
Athletic and gritty on court, popular off it, we hope that she will
stay involved even while not competing.
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21-Apr-08:
Tony's
Sixth Accolade ...
Tony Choi, National Coach of
Hong Kong, received the Coach of the Year Award for the sixth
time from the in the 2007 Hongkong Bank Foundation Coaching
Awards.
Tony has previously won the award un 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, and
2005 for his great achievement in helping Hong Kong athletes to win
medals in major international events.
In 2007, the HK Junior Women's Team won several medals including:
Asian Junior Championships ---- Women's Individual (gold & silver),
Women's Team (gold)
World Junior Women's Championships ---- Individual (bronze)
Well done again, Tony !!
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17-Apr-08:
Jahangir honoured to carry Olympic Torch in Pakistan
 Squash legend Jahangir Khan carried the Beijing Olympic Torch
Relay in his homeland Pakistan this week in what he described as
"one of the most important events in my life".
The record ten times British Open champion, who is now President of
the World Squash Federation, was the last torchbearer on the final
leg of its journey in the Pakistan capital Islamabad, handing it on
to delegates from New Delhi, the next city in the worldwide journey.
 "Though
Squash is not an Olympic sport, I feel extreme pride at carrying the
torch in Islamabad, keeping in view Pakistan's exemplary friendship
with China," said Pakistan sporting hero Khan, widely considered to
be the greatest squash player in the history of the game.
"It has always been a dream for me to be an Olympian. It's a special
way for me to be in Olympic Games. It seems you passed the final
line and won a gold medal in the Olympics. What I am doing today is
accomplishing something like that," said Jahangir Khan.
"Squash is played all over the world. The sport is growing in China
too - and we recently staged the Beijing Open in the country," added
Khan. "Next year, it will be decided whether the sport will be
included in 2016 Olympic Games. I am very optimistic for the future
prospects for squash.
During an extraordinary career, Khan was unbeaten in competitive
play for five years from 1981 to 1986, and won the World title six
times and the British Open a record ten times.
"I am the first male squash torchbearer to carry the Olympic torch.
It's a big honour for me to be the last bearer and end the relay
here."
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17-Apr-08:
Ramy Inspires New Super Series Platinum Event In Egypt
The meteoric success of young Egyptian squash player Ramy Ashour
has inspired the launch of a new Super Series Platinum event on
the PSA Tour in his homeland.
The SKY Petrosport Open, boasting a $130,000 prize-fund, will
take place at the luxurious new SKY Club in Cairo, from 13-20
June. The 2008 championship will be the first of a planned
series of three annual events.
The event has been initiated by Ashour's coach Ahmed Matany,
in conjunction with Petrosport, the first Petroleum company
in the sports marketing business in Egypt and the Middle East.
"This is wonderful news for the ever-growing men's squash tour and
highlights not only the status of squash in Egypt, but also the
major impact Egyptian squash is having on the world stage," said PSA
Interim Chief Executive Ted Wallbutton.
The SKY Petrosport Open becomes the eighth PSA Super Series event of
the year, and the fifth to offer prize money in excess of $100,000.
Only 20 years old, Ramy Ashour made history in July 2006 when he
became the first person to win the biennial Men's World Junior
Championship for a second time. Within three months, he had reached
his first Super Series event final at the Hong Kong Open - since
when he has leapt to number two in the PSA world rankings with eight
major title wins from 13 final appearances.
Egypt currently boasts four players in the men's world top ten - led
by world champion Amr Shabana at No1 - and 12 in the top 50.
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10-Apr-08:
Van der Heijden steps down
Dutch Men's Team Coach and coach of the national junior squad,
Sjef van der Heijden, is set to resign after the
2008 European Team Championships
which will take place on Dutch soil from April 30th until May 3rd.
The 42-year old from Valkenswaard can no longer combine his role as
national coach with his working commitments as an owner of two
squash clubs, Topsquash Valkenswaard and SquashTime (Eindhoven).
Van der Heijden, who was first appointed as a Squash Bond Nederland
(SBN) National Coach in September 1994, has coached senior and
junior national teams to 208 victories in 397 matches. Under his
guidance The Netherlands joined the top echelon of the sport in
Europe, resulting in a silver medal during the
European Team
Championships 2007 in Italy.
 "The
recent acquisition of SquashTime made me realize that it is becoming
increasingly difficult to combine running both clubs with the
professional duties of a national coach, in particular the extensive
travelling.
"I also feel it is about time, after almost 400 matches, that
somebody else takes charge of the national teams. The Europeans in
Holland is the ideal moment to say goodbye and I'll be doing
everything in my power so that we can be on the podium in front of a
home crowd."
The SBN was initially stunned when
they heard the news: "We were surprised by the sudden decision of
Sjef to resign, but we respect his wishes. We look back on his
career with a tremendous amount of respect. Sjef has an enormous
passion for squash and has always been a strong supporter of our
federation and we are very happy that he has committed to stay
involved with us in a different role."
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10-Apr-08:
Bailey op rules out Euro & British bids
 England
number one Tania Bailey underwent a knee operation in Manchester
yesterday and will miss the European Championships and British Open.
The 28 year-old England skipper had an arthroscopy to repair a tear
in the cartilage on her right knee, having been troubled by it for
more than a year.
She told the Peterbrough Telegraph: "It has been getting
increasingly worse and, although the physio and conditioning coach
have tried everything it just hasn't improved. It is most probably
the reason why I have had tears in my adductor and hamstring over
the last six months."
Speaking before the operation, she said: "It depends exactly what
the surgeon finds when he does the operation as to how long the
recovery will be, but I will have intense rehab afterwards so
hopefully it won't be too long.
"I am devastated to be missing the Europeans and the British Open as
they are two of my favourite events of the year and I especially
love representing my country so I will really miss not playing this
year.
"But I am very determined to get my strength and fitness back and to
start playing well again. I have many goals I still want to try and
achieve and I believe I still have plenty of years left on the
circuit.
"There are a lot of things I want to work on in my game that I
haven't been able to do due to the injuries so I look forward to
getting on with them as soon as possible."
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 "I
am really looking forward to the new position of Director of squash
for Jersey, Dave has done a great job of raising the profile of the
game and I am now ready to take it to the next level.
"I have really enjoyed my 3½ years as Head coach for Manchester but
I now feel I am ready for a new challenge.
"I wish everyone involved in the Manchester squash development
programme including coaches, officers, organisers, parents, and
volunteers all the best for the future.
"On a personal note I would like wish all the junior players who are
part of Manchester’s squash programme all the best in developing
their games and keep up the hard work.
"I am sure I will see you gracing the courts of Jersey in the none
to distant future - all the best and good squashing!"
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Taylor heads for Jersey
Nick Taylor, former world number 14 and Head coach for the
Manchester squash development programme has been appointed by Jersey
Squash Rackets association as Director Of Squash. Nick takes over
from former Welsh number one and British Open Champion David
Evans and starts the new role in July 2008.
 "Nick's
appointment has come at the perfect time for Jersey Squash. For the
past three years David Evans has done a great job in lifting the
profile of the sport both locally and within England, getting more
juniors involved and developing the senior players, beating Guernsey
for the first time in ten years and doing well in the National Club
Championships in our first year of entering with teams in the
quarters and semis.
"If you like, the foundation has been laid and we are incredibly
lucky to have someone like Nick to now take Jersey Squash to the
next level. His involvement with the hugely successful development
programme in Manchester, coaching experience at the highest level,
world class playing ability, obvious drive and will to succeed will
push Jersey Squash forward. We have always felt that Jersey offers
all the ingredients for a successful programme and we think could in
the future become a centre of squash excellence.
 "Big
claims, I know, and a long way to go but we have great financial and
resource support from international law firm, the Bedell Group plus
local government support and a sporting population that could
provide Nick with a future champion or two."
President of Jersey squash
Exciting times in Jersey -
Steve reports in May 05 |
07-Apr-08:
New Abu Dhabi Open
A new Super Series Platinum event at the end of the year signals the
return of the United Arab Emirates as an additional country
destination on the PSA Tour calendar.
The $125,000 Abu Dhabi Open will take place from 6-11 December,
following two days of qualifying from 4 December.
The Abu Dhabi Open marks the first event in the UAE since the Dubai
Classic, won by Jansher Khan, in September 1993.
"This is great news for the continuing expansion of the PSA Tour and
considerably strengthens our status in the region," said the PSA's
Interim Chief Executive Ted Wallbutton.
"We are indebted to PSA member Amr Mansi for helping to get this new
event off the ground - and are certain that UAE squash fans can look
forward to a star-studded entry list."
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"It was such
a great honour for Hong Kong Squash to have two representatives
participating in this historic moment", said the Hong Kong Squash
Chairman David Mui.
