World Squash Day Unites Sport's
Enthusiasts Around The Globe

Squash enthusiasts around the globe are uniting for World Squash Day today (Saturday 15 March) when special activities are being arranged at clubs and sports centres all over the world to highlight the appeal of the racket sport which is played by more than 15 million men and women on all five continents.

World Squash Day is endorsed by the World Squash Federation and supported by all Regional Federations and Member National Federations - all of which are organising events in their countries, a brief selection of which is highlighted below.

In the UK, organisers have joined forces with Sport Relief 2008 - the well-established fund-raising campaign, linked to Comic Relief, which is supported by famous faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment.

Squash fans have the opportunity to go on court for a special coaching session with England's world No4 James Willstrop in aid of World Squash Day and Sport Relief. Willstrop has donated a free coaching session to Sport Relief which will be put up for auction on SquashSiteover the next 48 hours.

Another session will be auctioned live to the sell-out crowd during Finals Day of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic at the fabulous East Wintergarden venue, where Willstrop is defending his title. All proceeds will be donated to Sport Relief.

"I am delighted to be supporting World Squash Day and Sport Relief," said the England number one.  "World Squash Day is helping to promote the sport in an amazing way and Sport Relief is raising huge sums of money for worthwhile causes.  It’s great that squash can be part of that process.”

In South Africa, the Gauteng Deaf Association is hosting a morning tournament at the Old Edwardians Courts in Johannesburg, while the Witwatersrand University has a Grand Prix Tournament. 

The Hi-Tec South African Schools Closed Championships - featuring players from each major province and the Country Districts areas - will also be played in Johannesburg.  Venue manager Craig van der Wath plans to hang flags from different countries to add to the atmosphere!

In Port Elizabeth, Angela Difford is running a clinic for the disadvantaged youth on World Squash Day.  Funded by the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa, the event is expected to attract about 40 scholars.

In Potchefstroom (180 kms from Johannesburg) there will be a similar clinic run by Christo Potgieter and Philip Schlebusch  at the Potchefstroom Boys High School for players of colour.

Coach Mike Bester is travelling to Nelspruit in Mpumulanga to run a coaching workshop for all ages and all levels of skill - while Sven and Cecile van Rie will be running a Marking and Refereeing Clinic in Boksburg on the East Rand.

Squash New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Thompson is a big fan of the World Squash Day concept, and the positive impact it has on the game.  He says that has led Squash New Zealand to adopt a similar concept for the National Squash Club Weekend early next month.  "I'm convinced if people give squash a go, they will be pleasantly surprised at how much fun it is."

National Squash Weekend will be held on April 5 and 6, in association with two major sponsors in the New Zealand Community Trust and Prince.  198 clubs around the country will open their doors to the public on both days, with all gear provided to anyone who wants to give it a go.

The Sindh Squash Association in Pakistan will be organising events in Karachi and Hyderabad.  Junior events will be held at the Karachi Club and Jahangir Khan Squash Complex in Karachi, together with a men's event at the JK Complex.

Exhibition matches will be held at the Hyderabad Gymkhana Squash Complex and a Coaching Clinic and Fun Games will be held at the SSB Squash Complex in Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium.

Jordi Bercedo, of the Canary Islands Squash Federation, is hosting the first Canary Islands Squash Challenger.  "I hope everybody will participate in this tournament that will be held in the Centro Insular de Squash de Tenerife (venue of the PSA Canary Islands Open)," said Bercedo.

A 24-hour squash marathon is being planned at the Squash Club Sport & Wellness Centrum in Hungary.  "We guarantee lots of fun and non-stop sport! Don't miss it," urged organiser Zoltan Sebok.

The Jindal Squash Academy in India is celebrating World Squash Day with a special event for mentally/physically challenged kids on the theme “Every Child Is Special”.

World Squash Day Joins Up
With Sport Relief 2008

World Squash Day is joining forces with Sport Relief 2008 on Saturday 15th March. The World Squash Day initiative is taking a massive leap forward by linking up with this year's Sport Relief campaign, which is supported by famous faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment.

Sport Relief Weekend 2008 will feature three days of entertainment, events and energy designed to challenge the entire UK nation.  It kicks off on Friday 14th March with a fantastic night of entertainment on BBC TV and Radio.

On Saturday 15th March squash clubs worldwide can join in the fun with a range of sponsored events. Squash teams can also improve their fitness by taking part in one of the hundreds of Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile events taking place across the UK on Sunday 16th March.

World Squash Day is endorsed by the World Squash Federation and supported by a host of national governing bodies.  In previous years, events have taken place in more than 40 countries and have supported the sport's bid for a place in the Olympic Games.

WSF Chief Executive Christian Leighton said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for squash clubs to enjoy a weekend of fun activities and also to get involved with Sport Relief.

"All of the events held by squash clubs will be good for the game and any money raised will be spent by Sport Relief to help vulnerable people living incredibly tough lives both at home in the UK and in the world’s poorest countries.

"We are expecting support from squash clubs and national governing bodies all over the world.”

World Squash Day founder Alan Thatcher said: "This is great news for the sport and it gives every squash club on the planet the opportunity to support two major objectives: to raise the profile of squash and to raise valuable money for Sport Relief.

"It's free to get involved and squash clubs around the world are being asked to open their doors to the public, to hold fun events to promote the game, to attract new members and to show the world what a fantastic sport we have.

"We will also be encouraging clubs to raise money for Sport Relief by staging sponsored events during the weekend."

Sport Relief Fundraising Manager Carolynne Evans said "We are absolutely thrilled that World Squash Day is supporting this year’s campaign and that squash clubs across the UK and beyond will rise to the challenge to raise a heap of cash for Sport Relief." 

WSD is endorsed
by the WSF

WHAT SPORT RELIEF IS:

Sport Relief harnesses the power and passion of sport to change lives for the better.  By playing sport, having fun and raising money, everyone can do good and feel good.

Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568

Comic Relief spends the money to help vulnerable people living incredibly tough lives both at home in the UK and in the world's poorest countries.

For more information on Sport Relief go to www.sportrelief.com

WORLD SQUASH DAY: BACKGROUND

World Squash Day was founded following the terrorist attacks in America on September 11th 2001.  

A number of squash players were among those killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center, including Derek Sword, a former Scottish junior international player who was squash champion at New York Athletic Club.

Several of Derek’s friends decided to create something special in his honour, and also provide something tangible for squash. Hence World Squash Day was born.

Among the annual activities is a challenge match between New York and a UK team who compete for the Derek Sword Trophy, a magnificent silver rose bowl donated by Derek’s employers, KBW.

• Club Open Day

• 24-hour squash marathons

• Play-A-Pro

• Adults v Juniors

• Doubles Tournaments

• Handicap tournaments

• Battle of the Sexes

• Wooden Rackets competitions

• Exhibition matches with a top professional or two

• Fifteen, twenty and - yes - thirty-a-side social "friendly" matches.

• Free courts for kids

• Free coaching sessions for players of all ages and abilities.

• World Record Rally
   

Clearly, the accent is on FUN.

Feel free to add your ideas - use the CONTACT page on the WSD mini-site below ...