Talking to the Royal Gazette
"This
is how sport is nowadays," said 32-year-old Nicol, winner of 49 PSA titles. "You
look at any sport, tennis, golf, the American sports and the presentation
includes all manner of extras that keep the viewer interested. "If you don't give people something for even ten seconds they switch channels and lose interest and squash needs to keep pace with that.
"Some of the stuff they are doing here is absolutely incredible.
"I think this sort of technology is what the viewer wants, and needs, and hopefully it can be harnessed through the Internet and on television to improve the squash product."
Now Nicol is coming to the twilight of his playing career he has turned his attention to promotion, collaborating with two former players to put on exhibitions at Canary Wharf in London as well as other major events at interesting venues.
"I
love squash and I believe in this game," said the 13-year veteran. "I think this
is a great time to be involved in the sport. "With technology like this, the next five years could see the sport really change and take off.
"Although there is more money on the tour, there is less money at the top – in 1992 there were eight $100,000 tournaments, now there are just two. But hopefully if this technology can improve the viewing experience, then more sponsorship and more prize money will come.
"Being involved with a company like Virtual Spectator does us no harm at all. By working with squash, the sport is being promoted indirectly through their coverage of sailing or rallying or cricket."
Although
squash is already in the Commonwealth Games, its ascent to the Olympics may be
the biggest challenge facing the sport in years to come. It is one of the events
vying to be introduced to the 2012 Games, but it – and its players – need to
make some drastic changes for it to be admitted. "When they came to watch at the Commonwealth Games, I think the Olympic people were unhappy with how many decisions there were and how many arguments," continued Nicol, who has vowed to keep his career going until at least next year's Commonwealth event in Melbourne.
"And this is something the players can help with.
"We have to help ourselves and maybe if there is a little bit less questioning of decisions and arguing, that can help the sport grow – which can help everyone earn more money eventually.
"If we can get the prestige of being an Olympic sport that can do a lot for all of us."
Virtual Spectator's involvement this year has not only provided a serious financial injection into the Bermuda event but it is also helping the Island lead the charge to propel squash upwards and into more people's homes and computers.