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 18-Aug-11:
Jonathon Power &
Nicol David
Join WSF Ambassador Programme |
Jonathon Power and Nicol David, two of the
greatest names in world squash, will lead the inaugural WSF
Ambassador Programme in Latvia later this year.
A new international promotional initiative devised by the
World Squash Federation, the first of the WSF Ambassador
Programme will visit the Latvian capital Riga from
25-27 November, when Power and David will be joined by a
coaching guru and a refereeing instructor to highlight the
appeal of Squash to the public and the media.
While the players will integrate with the local squash
community and media, referees and coaches from Latvia and
neighbouring countries will be invited to attend workshops
that will enable them to take home a reach seam of
information and techniques.
 Nicol
David is arguably Malaysia’s most successful sports star of
all-time, winning a record eighth ‘Malaysian Sportswoman of
the Year’ award this year. The 28-year-old from Penang has
held the Asian women’s squash title unopposed since 1998 –
when aged just 14.
Winner of 54 WISPA World Tour titles, including a
record-equalling fifth World Open crown last September,
Nicol began her sixth year at the top of the women’s world
rankings this month.
 Canadian
Jonathon Power, who became the first North American world
number one in 1999, retired from the PSA World Tour in March
2006 after a glittering career which included 37 titles,
including the World Open, the British Open and four
Tournament of Champions’ crowns.
One of the most creative players of all-time, Power was
still able to win his seventh Canadian national title than
two years after his retirement. The 37-year-old is now a
much-sought-after coach in Toronto where, amongst others, he
has taken Pakistani prodigy Maria Toor Pakay under his wing.
“We couldn’t wish for two more appropriate ambassadors for
our sport to help spread the word in Latvia and beyond, and
we are thrilled that Nicol and Jonathon have been able to
find time in their busy schedules to join us in Riga,” said
WSF CEO Andrew Shelley.
The venue in Riga will be the Zelta Bowling and Squash
Center, an imposing squash facility featuring eight
courts and many other sporting and leisure options.
The coaching workshops will be undertaken by Ronny
Vlasseks, a highly-experienced European Squash
Federation Tutor who is also the Head Coach of the Dutch and
Belgian national squash teams. Meanwhile, looking after the
refereeing side will be Scotsman Ian Allanach, a
former WSF top referee and now a worldwide refereeing
assessor.
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15-Jul-11:
WSF Launches Ambassador
Programme
The WSF Ambassador Programme, a new international
promotional initiative devised by the World Squash
Federation, will be launched in Latvia later this
year.
Riga will be the host city for the first WSF Ambassador
Programme from 25–27 November, when the Latvian capital will
welcome two leading international players, a coaching guru
and a refereeing instructor to highlight the appeal of
Squash.
While the players will integrate with the local squash
community and media, referees and coaches from Latvia and
local countries will be invited to attend workshops to help
them spread ideas, information and good practice in the
region.
The venue in Riga will be the Zelta Bowling and Squash
Center, an imposing squash facility featuring eight
courts and many other sporting and leisure options.
The coaching workshops will be undertaken by Ronny
Vlasseks, a highly-experienced European Squash
Federation Tutor who is also the Head Coach of the Dutch and
Belgian national squash teams. Meanwhile, looking after the
refereeing side will be Scotsman Ian Allanach, a
former WSF top referee and now a worldwide refereeing
assessor. The male and female player will be announced
shortly.
Heralding the new initiative, WSF Chief Executive Andrew
Shelley commented: ”There are squash courts in around
175 countries, and while we can only do so much each year to
reach selected clusters of them, we will never run out of
options!
“The scheme will continue with two further visits in 2012
where, like Latvia, we intend to support local efforts to
promote squash by bringing in such a group of players,
coaches and referees. It is a package that works on many
levels and we are excited about getting underway first in
Latvia.”
Alex Pavulans, board member of the Latvian Squash
Federation, was equally upbeat: “Being picked as the first
stop for the WSF Ambassador Programme is a fantastic
opportunity to showcase our great game to a wider public.
“By launching the Ambassador Programme, the World Squash
Federation is putting action behind the words by reaching
out to all the corners of the world. The Latvian Squash
Federation is extremely excited for this chance to rally our
troops, and I believe the entire enthusiastic Latvian squash
community will warmly welcome the WSF delegates and top
world players to our beautiful capital and to Zelta Bowling
and Squash Center.”
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