WSF INSTANT UPDATE

ISSUE 75 JULY / AUGUST 2018

To: ALLWSF MEMBER NATIONAL FEDERATIONS cc: WSF Regional Vice-Presidents, WSF Commssion Members, PSA members, Accredited Products and Companies

SQUASH DREAM FULFILLED FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES On the eve of World Refugee Day on 20 June, initiated by the United Nations in 2001, a unique effort to enable Syrian refugees to build upon their and educational support and participate in international squash events was provided by the . Squash Dreamers is a non-profit initiative, conceived by Jordan-based American Clayton Keir, which is dedicated to training refugee Syrian girls in Squash and English. Backing of Jordanian Federation The WSF, with the backing of the Jordan Squash Federation, has welcomed these displaced Syrians - pictured left with coaches Reem Nyaz (left) and Hamza al- Zubaidi (right) - by giving them a route to participate in international events. In the absence of a Syrian squash federation, the WSF will create a neutral World Squash flag to enable them to enter such championships. Supported by Furthermore, has already agreed to sponsor these players to participate in the 2018 Hong Kong Junior Open by providing complimentary accommodation for four players and officials. "We believe that sports and education can empower young women to rise above difficulties, improve their lives, and make positive impacts in their community," explained Keir. "Through squash and English, we are offering these girls opportunities to enrol in or be recruited by prestigious academic institutions. We are grateful to both the World Squash Federation and Hong Kong Squash that the girls can now participate in a world-class tournament." WSF President Jacques Fontaine added: "The World Squash Federation looks to provide all athletes with equal opportunities and a safe environment for training and competition. The refugee team's participation in the 2018 Hong Kong Junior Open is just one example of what Squash is doing around the world to reach this goal. IOC Spirit "As Squash bids to be included in the Olympic Programme, the sport is proud to share the same spirit with the IOC when it comes to supporting displaced communities and assisting young people in their integration through sport. "The combined efforts of Clayton Keir, Jordanian Squash and Hong Kong Squash means that these girls have an opportunity that until now they could only have dreamed of! We are happy to help all the way." David Mui, MH JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Squash, concluded: "To echo the great initiative of Squash Dreamers, Hong Kong Squash is very delighted to welcome the junior Syrian Refugee players to our largest international junior tournaments 'Hong Kong Junior Squash Open 2018' held in this summer. For further information about Squash Dreamers or to offer support they can be contacted at [email protected] - or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SquashDreamers/ WSF & PSA REVEAL SquashFORWARD LINE-UP in the weeks that will follow the tournament and turn them into a set of practical recommendations. The WSF and PSA have announced the line-up of their joint initiative SquashFORWARD. It is envisioned that SquashFORWARD will share their findings and forward-looking recommendations during The programme brings together eight top young the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in October squash players (four young women and four young where squash will be present as a showcase sport. men), all under 23 years old, with the aim to further actively engage with the next generations and shape the future of squash as a vibrant and healthy sport. Quite symbolically, the announcement came on the eve of the Olympic Day, envisioned to encourage young people to move, learn and discover new sports.

Nour El Sherbini, WR #1 and SquashFORWARD co- chair, said: "Being on top of the World Rankings is a huge responsibility and I feel that I have to give back what I've learnt, to give back for the future of the sport which means so much to my life and the lives of so The SquashFORWARD members selected from across many young people around the world. Through the the world each bring her or his own perspective on the SquashFORWARD initiative, I'm sure we can capture a future of their sport. They will become the dialogue between continents and generations and ambassadors of thousands of young players shape how squash should develop in the next years." internationally and will aim to capture the aspirations WSF President Jacques Fontaine said: of their generation. from (WR "SquashFORWARD is an initiative truly driven by the #1) and (above) from Peru (WR #11) will youngest stars of squash, many of whom dream one co-chair the group. day to become Olympic champions. I'm sure this The development follows on the announcement made programme will create new thought leaders and help by WSF president Jacques Fontaine in April 2018 in our sport remain at the forefront of what young people Bangkok during the SportAccord Convention. seek today from a sport that matches their lifestyles and aspirations." PSA CEO Alex Gough added: "One of The eight young players selected internationally to the core missions of squash is to provide access to take the pulse of their generation: sport to young people all around the world. In dialogue (, aged 18) with young players on the SquashFORWARD group we Diego ELIAS (Peru, 21) can ensure that we do it in the best possible way." Nour EL SHERBINI (Egypt, 22) Eain Yow NG (, 20) (United States, 15) (photo, right) WSF CERTIFIED SOFTWARE 2018/9 Dimitri STEINMANN (, 20) Nadia USENKO (, 18) (, 19) ClubLocker

The group will meet regularly over the next few months to share their vision of the sport and discuss how to make the game even more innovative, RankedIn inclusive and sustainable than it is today. SquashFORWARD will kick off its activity at the Dutch SportyHQ Junior Open, which will be held in Amsterdam from 12- 15 July. Members of the initiative will host a focus group with junior players from all over the world and Tournament gather their ideas focusing on four major topics: Software innovation, sustainability, inclusiveness and accessibility. SquashFORWARD will analyze the ideas 2

OLYMPICS NEWS TARAK & ARABY PREPARE TO DEFEND WSF, in partnership with PSA and campaign partners Egyptians Marwan Tarek and Rowan Reda Araby are Weber Shandwick; led by President Jacques Fontaine set to retain their titles in the WSF World Junior and supported by the WSF Olympic Commission, have Individual Squash Championships next month in been preparing in many ways before the bid takes a according to the draws revealed by WSF defined shape. The Men's & Women's individual championships will That will occur shortly when the IOC confirm the take place at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai deadline that the Paris 2024 Organising Committee will from 18-23 July, followed by the biennial Men's World be required to work to for sports that they wish to Junior Team Championship from 24-29 July. nominate to th IOC as sports for their programme in It was after ousting the top seed in last year's semi- 2024. Our intention is that squash features on it! finals that Tarek (pictured below with Araby at the We also expect to hear the process that they will adopt 2017 trophy presentations) went on to claim the 2017 as they move towards their decision. men's title in . The 18-year-old from also won the 2018 British Junior U19 Open title early Our focus is based upon showing that we are a sport this year. that has moved with the times, is innovative and has youth and sustainability at our heart. To make clear how closely aligned we are with the IOC’s Agenda2020. To demonstate that we would bring something new and exciting to Paris. While the groups mentioned above will play leading roles in shaping and executing policy, what is so important, and already eveident, is how the whole worldwide squash community is behind squash being part of the Olympic Games in 2024 and beyond. This drives the bid. ______THE GOLD COAST LEGACY TAKES SHAPE The six glass-backed courts and the all-glass showcourts that were built in Gold Coast’s Oxenford Studios for the in April were taken down and now have been re-built at nearby Carrara Squash centre. It is part of the But Tarek, ranked 280 in the world, will have a tough Carrara Sports job on his hands if he meets second seed Mostafa Asal, Precinct which as predicted, in the final. His 17-year-old compatriot, was a main venue also from Cairo, has made great strides on the PSA for the World Tour this year, winning three titles as a qualifier Commonwealth in May after clinching the British Junior U17 Open title Games, and now in January. This month he leapt more than 100 places as well as the in the senior world rankings to reach No.75. courts office Still only 17 space for Squash will be in the same building. Araby, still only 17, has already claimed five PSA titles The new National Squash Centre for and may make the world junior final this year for the which was opened earlier this month and will host the third time in a row. Her success in the 2017 final came WSF World against top seed Hania El Hammamy whom she is Coaches again predicted to face in the 2018 climax. Conference in All Egyptian semi-finals are predicted in both events - September 2018 and an Araby success would take Egyptian ownership and future of the women's title into an eighth successive year. World, Regional and National Draws at www.wsfworldjuniors.com events as well as providing a training base. See the great championship preview film at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPqT9ia ddcE&feature=youtu.be

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WSF AMBASSADORS INSPIRE IN ARMENIA & Mikayel Vardanyan hosted a press conference for the UKRAINE WSF Ambassadors which attracted widespread media Launched in 2011, the World Squash Federation interest, including Armenia TV, Kentron TV and AR TV. international promotional initiative takes two leading Much of the interest was in squash's bid to join the squash players, together with an international coach Olympic Games programme. and referee, into younger squash nations to inspire and help raise the sport's profile through clinics, exhibition matches, refereeing and coaching seminars, and media presentations. Starting in Yerevan World squash stars , the three-time world champion from Egypt, and , British and US Open winner and six-time European champion from France, thrilled fans of the Mikayel Vardanyan (centre) pictured above with (L to R) sport in Armenia on the first leg of the 2018 WSF WSF CEO Andrew Shelley, WSF referee Marko Podgorsek, Grand Sport Deputy Director Haik Buniatyan, Ramy Ashour, Ambassador Programme visit to the country's capital Camille Serme, Armenian Federation Secretary General Yerevan in the mountainous Caucasus region between Astghik Aghababyan, and WSF coach Ronny Vlassaks] Asia and Europe. ''When we were building the Grand Sport complex and Armenia, proud to be the first state in the world to the squash courts in 2011 only one per cent of adopt Christianity as its official religion early in the 4th Armenians knew what squash is," Vardanyan told the century AD, formed its squash federation in 2011 with media. "I myself regularly play squash as it is very the construction of three courts – one of which a state- healthy, dynamic and is very good for mental work. of-the-art all glass showcourt – at the Grand Sport complex in Yerevan. Armenian Federation applaud Grand Sport Company’s founder is Mikayel Vardanyan, The visit was hailed as a great success by the a keen squash player and President of the Armenian Armenian Federation: "It's been very helpful having such great champions as Ramy and Camille with us Squash Federation. here. They are our players' heroes," said Secretary While Belgian national coach Ronny Vlassaks General Astghik Aghababyan. conducted coaching workshops with Armenian players, and the Slovenian international referee Marko "The visit helped us to get interest from the media and Podgorsek explained the finer points of the rules to we hope that it will inspire more people to play squash. budding local referees, Ashour and Serme gave junior "We need to begin to focus on our schools and and senior players at the club the experience-of-a- persuade them to bring pupils to our courts, so that lifetime by playing with them on court. they can see that squash is not only a physical and mental sport, but also healthy. "Your visit has given us more self-confidence that we can engage with the world of squash," Aghababyan concluded. "This has been such a boost for us and our junior players." WSF CEO Andrew Shelley added: "We mount these visits to inspire national squash communities, but they energise the Ambassadors too. To join with such an energetic and motivated group of squash leaders and players has been a great experience for the group as they gave their time freely in every sense of the word. I have no doubt that squash in Armenia will flourish in the years to come."

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Next to Kiev Usenko, a SquashFORWARD Ambassador The WSF Ambassador Programme visit to Ukraine was “The current a 'dream come true' for squash in the country said the success of Ukrainian Squash Federation President Anastasiia players like Netrebchuk at the end of an action-packed two-day Nadiia Usenko series of events in the capital Kiev led by Egypt's three- and 17-year- time world champion Ramy Ashour and France's old Alina British and US Open champion Camille Serme, when Bushma, will the group moved on from Yerevan. give other juniors here a It was standing room only at a packed press focus.” conference at Grand Prix, where Ukraine Sports Committee President Illia Shevlyak told the media Serme & Ashour with (L to R) Nadiia Usenko, Alina representatives: “I will do everything I can to support Bushma and Ukraine coach Kostiantyn Rybalchenko squash in Ukraine. Usenko is Ukraine’s most successful junior. Currently “Squash and the Olympics is a perfect fit – I think ranked No.2 in the European U19 rankings, she moves squash will be in Paris,” added Shevlyak, who oversees to the USA later this year autumn to start studying at the 47 non-Olympic sports in Ukraine. “It’s a very Trinity College in Connecticut. dynamic sport. Later, a farewell reception for the team was attended Squash in Ukraine can trace its roots back to 2000 by Yaroslav Madriy, State Coach of the Sports Ministry, when Anastasiia Netrebchuk and Semen Lazutenkou who said: “Squash has really come on in this country both played squash on the country’s sole court at Kiev in the last few years. Sports Club. So enthusiastic was property developer “This Ambassador Programme has been a very good Lazutenkou after a visit to Amsterdam in 2008 to initiative for the sport here. But what makes it so support Ukraine’s first appearance in the European special is that your top athletes are not just visiting us Team Championships that he decided to build the but also giving our players the chance to be with them four-court Grand Prix club. on court.” Camille Serme was delighted with her maiden appearance as a WSF Ambassador: “It was an honour to be chosen, for me and for French Squash, and to be here with Ramy made it extra special – he’s such a champion. With his impressions of the Ambassador Programme initiative, Ashour added: “It’s very healthy for the sport, going around the world and having this kind of coverage and being on TV in different countries and different cultures – showing the world what we have got and how cool the sport is. The more we do these things and get the word out there, the more people around the world will understand us. “I think the WSF is doing a great job promoting the sport by getting us there and pursuing the Olympic Grand Prix owner Semen Lazutenkou (seated) flanked by dream. It’s really been a delight and pleasure to meet Ukrainian Squash Secretary General Alena Ogonesan, USF so many enthusiastic people. I am very humbled and Vice President Maksim Urakin; Camille Serme; Anastasiia Netrebchuk; Andrew Shelley; and Ramy Ashour very grateful to be part of this – it’s been amazing.” “Last year was a highlight for Ukrainian squash as we WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley summed up the competed for the first time in the in leadership of Ukraine Squash and their community in ,” said Netrebchuk, now the federation’s general at the media conference, saying: “You have President. “And now this year our top junior player a strong tradition of boxing in Ukraine - we know the Nadiia Usenko has been selected as a career of the Klitschko brothers, of course - and to SquashFORWARD ambassador by the WSF. borrow a phrase from that sport, Ukrainian Squash definitely punches above its weight! “And to top it all, we now have this Ambassador Programme visit. It’s a dream come true for us,” said Since 2011, the WSF Ambassador Programme has Netrebchuk. “It’s big step towards developing squash visited Latvia, Malawi, Namibia, Panama, Venezuela, in our country. Papua New Guinea, , Romania, , Dalian and Macau in and now Armenia and Ukraine.

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AWARDS PLAYER OF THE MONTH

RAMY ASHOUR REEHAM SEDKY ACHIEVEMENT: Winning first title in seven ACHIEVEMENT: months Runner-up at Age: 30 (DOB: 30/9/87) Age: 21 (DOB: 24/4/97) MARCH 2018 ISSUE 2 EST. 1971 Country: Egypt Country: USA Sponsors: Pharco, Salming, Sponsors: None Prince, CIB RODRIGUEZ’S WORK shop OPEN DREAM NEW ZEALAND’S NEWS drills and technique work in the mornings,RAMY ASHOUR and conditioning ended whatprogramme he described focusing on as “a very hard two REEHAM SEDKY is starting to reap the benefits of the training KING followed by further drills, conditioningyears” by thewinning multi-dimensional his first PSAaspects Tour of squash. title in seven months at and fitness programme she has been doing since last summer EL SHERBINI games and matchplay topics in the PALMER AND WILLSTROP the $100,000‘Building Grasshopper pressure’ is the Cup. focus of at home in Seattle with father Khaled and at college at the IN STYLE HEADLINE US CAMP afternoons.” YOUR TACTICAL WSF NEWS PLAYERSSquashSkills’ summer camp at Surrey University of Pennsylvania with Gilly Lane and Jack Wyant. COURSE Recently-crowned Commonwealth The 30-year-oldSports Park seventh in Guildford seed on produced July 28 and a masterly performance WorldGames champions Squash James Chief Willstrop ExecutiveUK COURSES Andrew UPDATE LONG GAME Fast-rising Egyptian Marwan ElShorbagyto defeat world29 with no.1Paul Carter,Mohamed Jesse Engelbrecht,ElShorbagy 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 in In March the 21-year-old reached the finals of the US National INTERACTIVE CENTRE and David Palmer are to headline the OF THE MONTH will be passing on some of the tips that Jethro Binns and Gary Nisbet. SUMMER COURSES ShelleyPlay Squash Academyreviews Sleepaway the international scene the all-Egyptian final in Zurich and round off a week in which he Women’s Championship and the $25,000 Texas Open, the latter have taken him to a career-high third in Camps in Pennsylvania, USA, in July. did notA dropprilMeanwhile, a game. Since ’86 concentrate on achievement as a qualifier seeing her soar up the world rankings the world rankings when he takes part in COMPETITION technical and tactical content, movement, from 223 to 79. Willstrop, the Englishman who struck gold the two Millfield Squash Course weeks“I’m pouringinRamy mentality with Ashour andemotion “fun” inwins right their three now,” his weeks saidfirst of the injury-plaguedPSA title in WORKSHOPon the Gold Coast in the men’s singles, Street, Somerset, in July and August. universal squash camps and tournaments will take the camp at the Mercersburg triple world champion after ending ElShorbagy’s 12-match “I had competed in the US College Individuals the weekend WIN RAPHAEL The 24-year-old will assist Millfield Schoolseven in July months, and August at Lee-on-Solent while Reeham in Sedky is Academy from July 1 to 6, while Palmer, winning streak. “It’s been a very hard two years - but I have before the Nationals and that is where my momentum started,” KANDRA’S RACKET News: Squash rolesdirector offor squash Matthew; Ian Thomas, Millfield Hampshire. the Australian who ended his competitive School head of strength and conditioningprovedrunner-up to myself that Iat am the there Texas again. Mohamed Open is an amazing explained Sedky, who beat top seed and world no.22 Hania El career by winning the men’s doubles in Week one (July 22-29) is devoted to WILLSTROP Polar Workforce Awards; GrahamLeicester Williams and former Czechathlete. He is the world champion and has been doing amazing Hammamy in Houston. “The momentum continued by beating April, will lead the following week’s sessions. coaching from Tim Vail, Bryan Patterson, University scholarships Republic PSA Tour pro Petr Martinrecently, from May butFiona I’m Geaves happy and with Miles theJenkins, way plus I played a today. It was a world no.13 in the semi-finals of the Nationals The two former world no.1s will be assisted July 29-August 1 and August 2-5. South silver tournament; in the camps for intermediate and advanced brutal match, but I’m glad I came out on top. and, more importantly, just loving the squash scene every time The course will provide an intensive Marwanweek two (JulyElShorbagy 29-August 5) has coachingwins his first PSA Coursesplayers by the Egyptian Cale El Torkyn sisters,dar: I stepped onto court. COASTS training programme that incorporates“I’m not surprisedand a Doubles because Junior Open I did tournament a lot of work on and I’ve been Heba and Nouran. World Series title, while Summer camps in the UKall and the necessary USA components forthrough improve- a Augustlot - I’m 4; and not week being three cocky (August - 5-11)I’m saying what’s really “During the Texas Open I knew that a lot of the pressure was on Action-packed days will feature routines, ment on and off the court, and a strength has coaching and a handicap tournament. on mycaptures mind, because three I think Commonwealth I kind of deserve this and Games I hope the seeded players, so I just relaxed before every match and the T O G O L D we canmedals play more of these matches in the future.” positive mindset definitely improved the quality of my squash.” Selected events only. For full details please see COURSE & CAMP CALENDAR www.squashplayer.co.uk/directory/index.html JOELLE KING JUNE 15-27 MSquash: Accelerator Overnight 30 - Elite Squash: Junior AdvancedMARWAN Camp. Ages 9-18, intermediate and Aug 3 Summer Camp. Ages 9-18, county 03-08 London Squash Coach: Sun, Sea ELSHORTBAGY ACHIEVEMENT: advanced. Port Chester, NY, USA. to national level. Exeter, UK. FEATURES & Squash. Age 18 +, all levels. 3 Commonwealth Games La Santa, Lanzarote. 22-27 MSquash: Accelerator Overnight 30 - Elite Squash: Junior AdvancedACHIEVEMENT: medals

Camp. Ages 9-18, intermediateAPRIL and Aug 10 Summer Camp. Ages 9-18,First county World Series title 10-15 MSquash: Accelerator Overnight RODRIGUEZ FLYING HIGH advanced. Port Chester, NY, USA. to national level. Exeter, UK. Age: 29 (DOB: 30/9/88) Camp. Ages 9-18, intermediate and Age: 24 (DOB: 30/7/93) advanced. Port Chester, NY, USA. 22-29 Since ‘86: Universal Squash Camp Richard Eaton talks to Miguel Rodriguez AUGUST Country: New Zealand Ages 9-18, county standard. Country: Egypt 10-22 MSquash: Accelerator Overnight Lee-on-Solent, UK. 02-05 Millfield School: Squash Course Sponsors: Head, Ashaway about his dramatic British Open win Camp. Ages 9-18, intermediate and Ages 8-17, all levels. Sponsor: Tecnifibre, advanced. Port Chester, NY, USA. 28-29 SquashSkills: UK Summer Camp ASICS New Zealand, Millfield, Street, UK. Channel VAS Age 18+, all levels. Surrey Sports USANA NZ OPEN DRAMA 17-22 MSquash: Accelerator Overnight Park, UK. 5-11 Since ‘86: Universal Squash Camp Camp. Ages 9-18, intermediate and Ages 9-18, county standard. Ian McKenzie was in Hull to watch Miguel advanced. Port Chester, NY, USA. 29 - Millfield School: Squash Course MARWAN ELSHORBAGY Lee-on-Solent, is hoping UK. his JOELLE KING admitted it was “pretty amazing” to win three Aug 1 Ages 8-17, all levels. Millfield, JUNE 24-29 MSquash: Accelerator Overnight Open success in April is “a start to many great things”. medals at the recent Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Rodriguez and Nour El Sherbini triumph Street, UK. 6-10 Elite Squash: Junior Advanced Camp. Ages 9-18, intermediate and Miguel Rodriguez Summer Camp. Ages and 9-18, countyNour El Sherbini advanced. Port Chester, NY, USA. 29 - MSquash: Accelerator OvernightHis comprehensive 3/0 victory over fellow Egyptian in The 29-year-old New Zealander boosted her tally of medals to to national level. Exeter, UK. HEART OF GOLD Aug 3 Camp. Ages 9-18, intermediatethe final and brought the 24-year-old fourth seed his first PSA World five over three Games since 2010 by winning the women’s singles 24 - MSquash: Accelerator Overnight win British Open titles advanced. Port Chester, NY, USA. 11-12 Academy: CoaJuly 6 c Camp.hes’ Ages 9-18,Cor intermediatener: and Bett Dryhurst Series trophy and what he labelled “the biggest tile of my PSA and the women’s doubles, the latter with Amanda Landers- Mike Dale hears the story behind James Masterclass All ages, all levels. advanced. Port Chester, NY, USA. 29 - Since ‘86: Universal Squashcareer Camp so far”. Murphy, before striking bronze with in the mixed. HALL Sheffield,OF UK.FAME Willstrop’s Commonwealth gold medal The long game: SquashAug 5Player Ages 9-18, looks county level. JULY Lee-on- Solent, UK. “It’s alsoVicki a result Cardwell of all the ishard inducted work I have into put in the in the Squash last “Probably a year ago, three medals would have been beyond my at two adaptations of squash that are period,” he said. “I have been focusing on my weaknesses this KING RULES AGAIN 01-06 Play Squash Academy: Sleepaway Player Hall of Fame. Richard Eaton wildest dreams - but the way this year has been going, I wanted serving Camp. their Ages 10-17, devotees intermediate well season and getting a lot of confidence with the way I have been three golds to be honest,” she said. “But to come away with two Joelle King explains how a move to Elite and advanced. Pennsylvania, USA. playingremembers in each tournament.” golds and a bronze is pretty amazing. Ta01-06ct MSquash:ics: AcceleratorIn a new Overnight series, Squash Player ElShorbagy junior is also reaping the rewards of living in the Squash revitalised her career Camp. Ages 9-18, intermediate and “It’s a team effort, though – it’s not just me, it’s all these guys South-West of England in Bristol and working with Ian Thomas, presents advanced. the Port Chester,key tactics NY, USA. you should be HALLFAMEof who have been watching me all the way through the singles and MOXHAM PRESSES ACCELERATOR Haitham Effat and Hadrian Stiff. “There are many PSA players in picking me up each day.” using8-13 Play in Squash your Academy: game Sleepaway and explains how to Bristol, a good group of guys and great atmosphere between all Australian Shaun Moxham tells Simon Camp. Ages 10-17, intermediate of us,” he said. “I feel very lucky living in a city like this. It gives King became New Zealand’s first ever Commonwealth Games develop and advanced. them Pennsylvania, USA. Redfern of his training innovation me theRichard right mindset Eaton remembers to be relaxed and not think about anything singles gold medallist when she beat England’s Sarah-Jane 15-20 MSquash: Accelerator Overnight else except enjoying my squash.” Perry 3/2 in a thrilling final. M y game Camp. Ages: World 9-18, intermediate no.1 and Nour El Sherbini MORE FEATURES talks advanced.tactics Port with Chester, Squash NY, USA. PlayerSince ’86 Universal Squash Camp students at Lee-on-SolentVICKI in Hampshire CARDWELL 42 SQUASHPLAYER.CO.UKSQUASHPLAYER.CO.UK was a boisterous, brilliantly athletic Mike Dale uncovers the all-time most Team28 Dunlop Q&A: Ali Farag and Australian who led theSQUASHPLAYER.CO.UK women’s game through the first years of its nascent professional tour during the early 1980s, becoming the best player by force of prolific national champions; James Zug Greg Gaultier answer your questions personality as much as by skill and movement – then disappearing suddenly at the height of her powers. reports on a new Team USA; PERFORMANCE Rod Gilmour OF THE MONTH ON COURT If this was unexpected back then, it grew dynamic on-court presence, looks back on an enjoyable 2018 into one of the game’s mysteries over time. generated by a mixture of spectacular Cardwell’s explanation is that late in 1983 movement, demonstrative personality, MARCH APRIL MAY she felt “her biological clock was ticking”. a left-handed ability to hit the ball with unexpected ferocity and a bristling Commonwealth Games At the age of 28 she decided that starting a determination to succeed. German Raphael Kandra’s shock 3/1 Egyptian Salma Hany’s stunning 3/0 Unseeded Colombian Miguel Angel family had higher priority than the further defeat of top seed in the humbling of world no.6 and French Rodriguez’s dramatic 3/2 victory over success which – after four British Open Voluble, forthright and warm, but some- quarter-finals of the M35 Squash favourite Camille Serme in the last eight world no.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy in the triumphs and a World Championship – times too controversial for those in NEWS Squared Wimbledon Cup Open of the W50 British Open final had seemed likely. authority, Cardwell might never have become passionate about squash but for Her departure happened only a few the encouragement of her tennis coach. months after the formation of a Women’s Not till she was 17 did she consider Miguel Rodriguez’s British Open win International Squash Players Association competing seriously. designed to improve the status and HISTORYremuneration of its members. Gradually Despite claiming she had been “absolutely covered by the South American media; it did, but not for Cardwell. And it was hopeless” during her first state junior seven years before her first baby arrived. championships, she was such a natural John Murray asksathlete Natalie that she developed Grinham quickly. And how Nick Matthew’s honour; Pro stoppages down Nevertheless, with typical courage and after watching legends Heather McKay, determination she returned to the tour and Kenny Hiscoe in action, sheafter having became children, competing the in first she was hooked.player to win three several more World Championships, Four years later, she was Australia’s top Editorial: Comment on the controversial goldwinning a couplemedals of Australian Opensat a Commonwealthplayer, reaching the British Open final the Games and reaching world no.12 before following year, 1978, and winning the title retiring again aged 42. in 1980. In the final she outplayed the squash refereeing policy at the Common- English top seed, Sue Cogswell, who These achievements inspired the creation possessed a more creative game, but There were other setbacks. When her FROMof a special award for women, THE the Vicki GALLERY could not quell Cardwell’s strength of contest with England’s Angela Smith in Cardwell Comeback Player of the Year, wealth Games character and intimidating will to win. Birmingham deteriorated into a wrestling and contributed to her inclusion in the match, it brought disciplinary action against FEATURE event RodAustralian Gilmour Sport Hall of Fame and provides the Cardwell wona thepersonal British Open again in view of both players. This and other contentious award of a British Empire Medal. 1981, beating fellow Aussie Margaret incidents underlined Cardwell as the first Zachariah in the final, and made it four in But we never learned whether she was professional champion in a new era of events at the Commonwealtha row by overcoming , theGames teenaged good enough to have delayed the onset of increasing physicality and aggression. home hope, in the next two finals. , a little-known 20-year-old Though Cardwell perhaps epitomised this, New Zealander, who succeeded her as Her one world title came when she she was only one of a group of women British Open champion and developed into CANARY WHARF EXPERIMENTS However, to watch four full ‘best-of-five’ “The last time I won one of the biggest overcame title holder summoned to an emergency meeting RODRIGUEZ’S DIRECTORYthe most successful female professional matches in an evening is difficult. City tournaments in my career was in London in Perth late in 1983, a success which during the 1980 women’s British Open and World no.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy experi- Round-up, News & Reviews, Rankings, so far. gents rush in after the 5pm start and rush at Canary Wharf and two years later I have probably persuaded her that the time warned that unless the aggro stopped, mented with a rare outing at London’s ServicingDevoy would have faced aall Cardwell your whose forsquash retirement was imminent. needs they risked disqualification. off to catch trains home before play is won this one – I should be born here!” momentum was impressive. Between 1978 favourite event, the $100,000 Canary Wharf Quote of the Month, Performance of the Despite the negative gossip which ensued, finished. The solution? Make the matches and 1983 she reached the semi-final or Cardwell claims that her most memorable defeat also came against Thorne – in a these blemishes seemed symptomatic Classic, in March and won, writes Ian At Wimbledon, the fifth seed reached the final in every tournament she played, for DREAM best of three. From this point of view, the two-hour world final in Toronto in 1981, of something much bigger – the anger five years using her unmarried name, McKenzie. Month, Profile of Yip Tszfinal Fung, with wins overShort Ben Coleman, Shots, Youssef then thought to be the longest women’s and freedom which the women’s game new format worked well. Hoffmann. Ian McKenzie witnesses Soliman (the qualifier who put out fourth match yet played. After losing 9-7 in the experienced whilst at last beginning to The real experiment, however, was with the COMPETITION PSAThere are Tour other considerations, round-up though. seed ) and . Though small in stature, she appeared fifth, a mortified Cardwell hid in a tree hurdle decades of social and financial thescoring. most This dramatic was the first major of ranking larger than she was because of her and refused to come down. barriers. Those who win major events often arrive for He was dominant in the final, not allowing Win Raphael Kandra’s event to include the best-of-three games men’s British Opens the final fresher, but, to some extent, this Tom Richards any way into the match. 44 SQUASHPLAYER.CO.UK format. racket Enis a lotterygla and ncand depend Sq on uashthe rest days. events: Euros The event’s sponsors included Tooting- ElShorbagy didn’t like it. “The sooner we Previously at Canary Wharf, if a Tuesday based estate agents Mercer Taylor and stop this and get back to proper squash, for Edgbaston and Pontefract; Lazarus’ player had an epic five-set battle, they financial research company Pelham the better,” said the Egyptian. “I train for played again on the Wednesday, whereas Smithers Associates, located in the City hard battles – that is what it is about.” nationala Monday player record; enjoyed a rest day.Top This 10 offor London. Wycliffe; ElShorbagy got his battles in the semi- year the semi-finals were highly competitive. SUBSCRIPTIONS Funds from the tournament and auction finals and final, which he won 3/2 St“There George’s is a reason for that,are obviously,” PSL champions at the excellent finals-night dinner went to respectively against younger brother said the PSA’s , alluding to Get your copy Now! help grow the club’s charity for deserving Marwan and compatriot . the fact that players arrived a little fresher. children, Squash Squared. The charity Print & Digital The jury is out, though, on best of three CALENDARWe are, however, playing with the ingred- has 80 pupils from local primary schools and there is probably no definitive answer. ients of the sport. The games and rallies attending weekly coaching sessions. OFF COURT The matches are not more exciting for the Selectedwere a little longer events on the first threecoming days, up including the spectator, but organisers can fit matches but the play wasn’t especially attacking. Squashplayer.co.uk Glass floors; England’s Worldin more easily.Juniors squad WorldIt was more Junior intense, but theChampionships chance of a in India in July comeback was reduced. For instance, Gregoire Marche, Greg Lobban and Nathan Lake went out in 32, CASTAGNET SQUARES UP 33 and 32 minutes respectively, which helped the staging. knelt down and kissed the floor after winning the $35,000 Squash The 16-draw eventMiguel is played Angel Rodriguez Monday Squared Wimbledon Club Open, writes Ian dominating the T in his to Friday, with the eight first-round McKenzie. matches split overshock Monday men’s finaland winTuesday, over the quarter-finalsMohamed on the ElShorbagyWednesday, The victory meant a lot to the 31-year-old the semis on the Thursday and the final Frenchman, who has experienced a tough on Friday. It is a brilliant format, very few years. It was back in March 2016 that The crowd stood as one and cheered. The players, hands on knees, “Eachpopular time and we soldplay eachout shortly other, after we raise tickets the he won the Canary Wharf Classic, which bar,”are explained released. the world champion. “He is helped him to world no.6. In May he was were bent double. They embraced and the tears flowed. The moment ranked 27th. was frozen in time. No-one at Hull’s Airco Arena on May 20, 2018 will theWith only Canary one from Wharf that being generation at the heartstill play- of ing.London’s When I wasfinancial a kid, district, I was watching city workers them.” “I want to thank my wife,” he said after- ever forget it. come to watch – there are around 400 wards. “Every day she helps me make my France’s Mathieu Castagnet, who won the Miguel Angel Rodriguez will certainly not MOHAMED’S PATH MATTHEW’Sseats – and wine GOODBYE and dine at the same comeback and so I really want to thank Squash Squared Wimbledon Club Open forget it. He had been dreaming of it all time. There is even a bar above the court. her and Arnaud Hays and Renan Lavigne. ElShorbaby had struggled with fast-rising Nick Matthew was unseeded in this his last week. He knew it would come to this. He Peruvian Diego Elias in the first round and British Open, but the three-time champion had been feeling the emotion of being there, SQUASHPLAYER.CO.UK 35 then Gregoire Marche in the second – Elias revived past heroics with an outstanding 3/2 at the British Open final, and of winning it. was 2/0 up and Marche 2/1 ahead – but first-round win over the formidable Egyptian He had looked each day at the photo of the neither knew how to exploit their opport- shot-making machine, Tarek Momen. trophy he had kept on his phone and knew unity. Later, when questioned on his under- it would be his. However, that was far as the 37-year-old whelming start to the tournament, ElShorbagy Englishman got, as he succumbed 3/1 to “I have accomplished the dream,” he said explained that he had food poisoning. Kandra in round two and a surprise exit. after sensationally beating world no.1 and New Zealand long-game expert Paul Coll world champion Mohamed ElShorbagy further delayed ElShorbagy another 72 “Perhaps my body let me down,” said 3/2 in a dramatic final. minutes in his 3/1 quarter-final loss, before Matthew afterwards. “Perhaps it is the The first round seemed an age away after the Egyptian was involved in a 71-minute, right time to go. Once I get over the the final, but it provided a crucial omen for five-game thriller with arch rival Gregory disappointment. I will reflect with pride.” Rodriguez. “When I beat Ramy [Ashour], Gaultier. it was something special for me,” the He should do that. On finals day there was The Frenchman was many people’s Colombian pointed out. “It was the first a deserved and heartfelt send-off for the favourite for the trophy and he milked time I’d beaten him. Yorkshireman in a special on-court ceremony. the crowd in a high-speed, semi-final “And I beat and Ali Farag shoot-out. Later, ElShorbagy joked that KANDRA ONE TO WATCH for the first time. And Raphael Kandra when both players were bent double with (whom Rodriguez defeated in the semi- exhaustion, it was perhaps the first time Kandra had two qualifying matches under finals), he made history as well. I had they had both needed a rest at the same his belt before he beat France’s Mathieu played Mohamed 11 times and won just time. ElShorbagy’s superb array of shots Castagnet 3/0 in the first round and then one. But I was fighting.” clinched the fifth. Matthew in a strong, threatening and

18 SQUASHPLAYER.CO.UK YOUTH OLYMPIC AMBASSADORS ANNOUNCED WSF ACCREDITATION 36 young squash WSF Accredited Products available from these players from 27 companies mean assured standards when building or nations spread across renovating squash courts. the globe will experience the sport's Contact details on the WSF website first taste of Olympic competition at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in October.

Squash has been chosen as a 'showcase' sport at Buenos Aires 2018, from 7-12 October. 18 young male and 18 young female Ambassadors, have been nominated by the five regions (Asia, Europe, Pan America, Africa and

Oceania) of the World Squash Federation. 27 nations "These players, all under-18, will play on the all-glass showcourt at Technopolis Park, meet the young people who will attend and encourage them to try squash at the introductory clinics," said WSF President Jacques Fontaine. "Most importantly, they will be our representatives, our ambassadors. "This is an exciting opportunity for squash to be a part of an Olympic event for the first time - hopefully a stepping stone towards achieving our dream of a place on the Olympic Games Programme." The chosen athletes: Jeremías Azaña, Dylan Tymkiw, Valentina Portieri & Abril Pellizari (Argentina); Ethan Eyles & Alex Haydon (Australia); Meagan Best (Barbados); Charlotte Toogood (Bermuda); Gabriel Pederiva (Brazil); James

Flynn (); Luis Alejandro Mancilla (Colombia); Viktor Byrtus (); Maria Paula Moya (Ecuador); Mostafa Asal & Jana Shiha (Egypt); Erika Parker (El Salvador); Sam Todd & Alice Green (England); Toufik Mekhalfi (France); Alejandro

Enriquez (Guatemala); Chung Yat Long & Chan Sin Yuk (Hong Kong China); Tushar Shahani (India); Conor Moran (Ireland); Jonathan Walker (Jamaica); Erisa Sano Herring (Japan); Siow Yee Xian & (Malaysia); Dina Anguiano Gomez (Mexico); Fleur Maas (); Matthew Lucente & Kaitlyn Watts (New Zealand); Lujan Palacios (Paraguay); Rafael Gálvez (Peru); Georgia Adderley (); and Ambre Allinckx (Switzerland).

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NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES The WSF Development Commission have collected details of several national development programmes as a resource for all member nations. They are on our website here. PHOTOGRAPHS: Many supplied with thanks to SquashSite.co.uk and squashpics.com More programme details are welcome

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PSA JULY RANKINGS

EL SHERBINI’S 26 MONTHS HONG KONG DUO MAKE HISTORY

Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini Hong Kong have two has made it 26 male players in the top successive months at 20 of the PSA Men’s World No.1 after topping World Rankings for the an unchanged top 20 in first time ever this the July PSA Women’s month ever after 28- World Rankings. year-old Leo Au rose a place to sit behind 22-year-old El Sherbini is compatriot Max Lee, already the fifth-longest who currently occupies serving World No.1 in the World No.19 spot. history and last month capped a successful Au claimed two PSA season with victory over World No.2 Raneem El Welily World Tour titles throughout the 2017/18 season with in the ATCO PSA Dubai World Series Finals title wins at the HKFC International on home soil and the decider. Malaysian Open and his ranking of World No.20 is a career-high. completes an all-Egyptian top three, while New Zealand’s Joelle King and France’s Camille Egypt’s Mohamed ElShorbagy celebrates his 33rd Serme round off the top five. month at the summit of the World Rankings - which brings him level with the legendary as Egypt’s stays at No.6, with England’s the longest-reigning Egyptian World No.1 - and is one (No.7), Sarah-Jane Perry (No.8), of four Egyptians residing in the top five ahead of Malaysia’s (No.9) and taking compatriots Ali Farag, younger brother Marwan, Tarek up the remainder of the spots inside the top 10. Momen and ’s Simon Rösner.

Hong Kong’s sits at No.11 ahead of ’ The rest of the top 10 is unchanged, with Colombian , England’s , United States’ Miguel Angel Rodriguez (No.6), France’s Gregory Olivia Blatchford and Egypt’s Salma Hany. Gaultier (No.7), (No.8), Ramy Ashour (No.9) and Paul Coll retaining their places inside the top 10.

PSA Women’s Rankings – July 2018 PSA Men’s Rankings – July 2018

1 Nour El Sherbini EGY 1 Mohamed ElShorbagy EGY 2 Raneem El Welily EGY 2 Ali Farag EGY 3 Nour El Tayeb EGY 3 Marwan ElShorbagy EGY 4 Joelle King NZL 4 Tarek Momen EGY 5 Camille Serme FRA 5 Simon Rösner GER 6 Nouran Gohar EGY 6 Miguel Angel Rodriguez COL 7 Laura Massaro ENG 7 Gregory Gaultier FRA 8 Sarah-Jane Perry ENG 8 Karim Abdel Gawad EGY 9 Nicol David MAS 9 Ramy Ashour EGY 10 Alison Waters ENG 10 Paul Coll NZL 11 Annie Au HKG 11 Diego Elias PER 12 Tesni Evans WAL 12 IND 13 Victoria Lust ENG 13 EGY 14 Olivia Blatchford USA 14 Omar Mosaad EGY 15 Salma Hany EGY 15 Ryan Cuskelly AUS 16 IND 16 Daryl Selby ENG 17 Donna Urquhart AUS 17 James Willstrop ENG 18 USA 18 Nicholas Mueller SUI 19 IND 19 Max Lee HKG 20 Hania El Hammany EGY 20 Leo Au HKG

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EGYPT TAKE TOP HONOURS AT PSA AWARDS The year saw Al-Turki mastermind the staging of the Saudi PSA Masters, bringing professional women’s sport to Saudi Arabia for the first time in history and creating a legacy in the country to help promote women’s sport to a wider audience, while he also secured the staging of the ATCO PSA Dubai World Series finals for the third consecutive year in Dubai. Men’s Player of the Year Winner: Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY), Runner-up: Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL). Women’s Player of the Year Winner: Nour El Sherbini (EGY), Runner-up: Joelle King (NZL). Men’s Young Player of the Year Winner: Diego Elias (PER), Runner-up: Mostafa Asal (EGY). Women’s Young Player of the Year Winner: (MAS), Runner-up: Hania El Hammamy (EGY). Spirit Of Squash – Men’s Winner Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Women’s Winner Raneem El Welily (EGY). Services To Squash Awarded to Ziad Al-Turki. Shot of the Year – Egyptian World No.1s Mohamed ElShorbagy and Nour Men Winner Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL), Women El Sherbini were the big winners at the 2017/18 PSA Winner Nour El Tayeb (EGY). Match of the Season – Awards as they collected the Player of Year Awards in Men Winne: Raphael Kandra (GER) 3-2 Marwan recognition of their exploits over the past season on ElShorbagy (EGY) – 2018 Allam British Open, Quarter- the PSA World Tour during a gala dinner on the eve of final. Women: Winner Nour El Tayeb (EGY) 3-2 Joelle the season-ending ATCO PSA Dubai World Series King (NZL) – 2018 , Final Finals.

ElShorbagy was presented with the men's trophy following an empathic return to the top of the game that saw him win seven major titles, including the 2017 PSA World Championships crown, during the campaign. El Sherbini, meanwhile, was honoured with the women’s award after a season that saw her claim four PSA World Series titles - the , inaugural Saudi PSA Women’s Squash Masters, Tournament of Champions and British Open - as one of only two female players, alongside Nour El Tayeb, to collect multiple World Series title this season. Egyptian Women’s World Champion Raneem El Welily collected the Female Spirit of Squash Award. Chosen by her fellow players, the prize goes to the player who best demonstrated sportsmanship throughout the season both on and off court - while Rodriguez collected the men’s award. Malaysian winner Rising Malaysian talent Sivasangari Subramaniam was named Women's Young Player of the Year following a season that saw her impress in front of the SQUASHTV cameras at the Open International de Squash de Nantes and the El Gouna International - during a season that also saw her reach the world’s top 40. Peruvian Diego Elias, the former World Junior Champion, was named Men's Young Player of the Year for the second year running. The final prize of the evening went to PSA Chairman Ziad Al-Turki, who was presented with the PSA Services to Squash Award by the PSA Foundation in recognition of his contribution to the sport during the . past twelve months. 8

WSF LEVEL 3 DEBUTS CERTIFIED EYEWEAR BRANDS 2018 The very first WSF Level 3 Coaching Course was held The following brands have passed national safety in mid-June over a period of five days in the Hungarian standards and, having applied for WSF Certified listing, capital Budapest. WSF Tutors from around the world are the only brands permitted for use in WSF, Regional gathered to together deliver the new syllabus written and many national junior events. by Peter Hirst, who unfortunately due to health issues could not be there himself. BRAND NAME APPROVED MODEL The course aims to teach coaches how to work up to Artengo SPG 100 Size S a national squad level. This attracted 19 candidates Artengo SPG 100 Size L from , Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, , Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, , Romania and Ukraine. Turbo (AC 114), Turbo Junior (AC 114 Jr) Lasers (AC 111) Sight Guard (AC 112) Kona (AC 119) Kona Junior (AC 119 Jr) Lynx (AC 122) Stiletto (AC 620) Air Frame Small (AC641SM) Guardian AV (AC 660) Baller, Coverage Crunch, Dominance After a recap of the L1 and L2 content Jon Swain, Swag, Field, Homerun senior lecturer of Canterbury University in England, League, Playoff conducted an eye-opening session on a games based approach of skill learning, covering anticipation, Dunlop I-ARMOR (R-07) perception, decision making and deception. Dunlop Junior (9903 Jr) Dunlop Vision (R-16) Further session covered physical training, tactical progressions, coach development, match analysis and annual planning and periodisation. All sessions were Grays GT Eyewear run as a mix of on court activity and off court lectures and discussions.

A practical assessment ended five days of intensive Shield Pro R16 interaction. Candidates were sent away to work on Covet R615 their post-course assignments, which needed to be Radar R43 submitted in written form including a detailed annual Radar Jr R717JR plan and a videoed lesson with a player of their choice but appropriate standard. i-Mask Dates set for the next WSF L3 Courses: 2500 (9903Jnr) 23-27 September – Bucaramanga, Colombia Pro 3000 (R43) 26 Nov -01 December – , Malaysia Overspec (KA642)p ______Mantis Protective Eyewear

WORLD SQUASH DAY 2018 Rage (9903V) A reminder that Saturday Rage Junior (9903JR) 13 October is the date set Prolite (RB10C) for World Squash Day this Speed (R601) Attitude (PRO2) year, the date on which Shark (R43) players and clubs Marvel (SE-7) worldwide come together to promote the sport and support charities. ASTM F803 One of the main aims this year, as well as simply encouraging clubs to open their doors to encourage participation, is to use empty daytime courts for R615 projects to welcome disadvantaged young people. For further information do contact World Squash Day coordinator Alan Thatcher at: [email protected] 9

GRAINGERS FOR GOLD? Men's Over 55: 1 Willie Hosey (IRL), 2 Fredrik Johnson (SWE), 3/4 Peter Gilbee (AUS), Brett Martin (AUS) Men's Over 60: 1 Geoffrey Davenport (AUS), 2 Jeremy Goulding (ENG), 3/4 Udo Kahl (GER), Pierr Roodt (RSA) Men's Over 65: 1 John Macrury (CAY), 2 Ian Graham (ENG), 3/4 Robert Jan Anjema (NED), Wayne Weatherhead (CAN) Men's Over 70: 1 Brian Cook (AUS), 2 Barry Featherstone (ENG), 3/4 Norbert Kornyei (USA), Ian Ross (SCO) Men's Over 75: 1 Adrian Wright (ENG), 2 Gerald Poulton (CAN), 3/4 John Nelson (USA), Desmond Sacco (RSA) Men's Over 80: 1 Lance Kinder (ENG), 2 Barry Gardiner pictured with parents Chris & Jean at the (NZL), 3/4 Edward Burlingame (USA), Stanley Fanaroff 2014 World Masters (RSA)

Former world No.1 Natalie Grainger is set to provide Women's Over 35: 1 Lauren Briggs (ENG), 2 Selina the sole gold medal for the hosts of the 2018 WSF Sinclair (ENG), 3/4 Leah Boody (CAN), Zhenzhen Wu World Masters Squash Championships in Virginia, USA, (CHN) next month according to the seedings revealed today Women's Over 40: Natalie Grainger (USA), 2 Melissa by the World Squash Federation. Martin (AUS), 3/4 Samantha Herbert (RSA), Jacqueline Ryder (RSA) The 15th edition of the biennial championships – but Women's Over 45: 1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS), 2 Rachel the first to be held in the USA – will take place at the Calver (ENG), 3/4 Shayne Baillie (ENG), Susan Davis McArthur Squash Center at the Boar's Head Sports (AUS) Club in Charlottesville from 29 July to 4 August 2018, Women's Over 50: 1 Sarah Nelson (AUS), 2 Andrea with 802 athletes from a record 63 nations have Santamaria (ENG), 3/4 Hope Prockop (USA), Karen entered the 19 men’s and women’s events in Webb (ZIM) categories ranging from Over-35 to Over-80. Women's Over 55: 1 Susan Hillier (AUS), 2 Fiona McLean (SCO), 3/4 Mandy Akin (ENG), Sue Williams Grainger, who topped the world rankings in 2003, is (AUS) favourite to lift the Women's Over-40 title. The UK- Women's Over 60: 1 Jill Campion (ENG), 2 Karen born and South Africa-raised 41-year-old is a two-time Hume (ENG), 3/ 4 Carole Grunberg (USA), Shirley World Masters champion after prevailing in the Over- Whitmore (RSA) 35 championship both in 2014 and 2016. Women's Over 65: 1 Laura Ramsay (CAN) 2 Faith Sinclair (SCO), 3/4 Gaye Mitchell (AUS), Gail White Natalie's mother Jean Grainger is also expected to (USA) triumph in Charlottesville. With four World Masters Women's Over 70: 1 Ann Manley (ENG), 2 Robyn titles to her name between 1999 and 2014, the now Prentice (CAN), 3/4 Bett Dryhurst (ENG), Marilyn 75-year-old from Johannesburg is seeded to win gold Kennedy (AUS) in the Women's Over-75 event. Women's Over 75: 1 Jean Grainger (RSA), 2 Barbara Sanderson (IRL), 3/4 Alma Cave (RSA), Joan Witton Five-time world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald leads the (ENG) Australian charge in Virginia where she is seeded to win a third successive Women's Over-45 title. Official event website, including full draws: http://wsfworldmasters.com/ Top 2018 World Masters seeds:

Men's Over 35: 1 Laurens Jan Anjema (NED), 2 Alister Walker (BOT), 3/4 (EGY), Clinton Leeuw (RSA) Men's Over 40: 1 Liam Kenny (IRL), 2 Mick Biggs (ENG), 3/4 Lazarus Chilufya (USA), Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) Men's Over 45: 1 Nick Taylor (JEY), 2 Zuko Kubukeli (RSA), 3/4 Christian Borgvall (SWE), Adrian Hansen (RSA) Men's Over 50: 1 Michael Tootill (RSA), 2 Chris Walker (ENG), 3/4 Hansi Wiens (GER), David Sly (CAN) ______

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WSF NATIONAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – FIRST ALEXENDRIANS WIN WORLD SERIES RANKINGS APPEAR IN AUGUST Egyptians Mohamed ElShorbagy and Nour El Sherbini A reminder about details for these events that form – both from the Mediterranean city of and part of the WSF and PSA Satellite Tours. current men’s and women’s World No.1s - triumphed at the 2017/18 ATCO PSA Dubai World Series Finals to Covered are: claim the prestigious season-ending titles. - WSF World and WSF Regional Junior Championships - WSF National Junior Opens - WSF National Junior Championships

• Results from all WSF Satellite Tour tournaments will count towards the PSA World Rankings. The National Junior Open and National Junior Championship tournament of a WSF Member Nation may be registered. • All Satellite Tour tournaments are run by WSF Members or sanctioned independent promoters. (Where there is a Junior Regional Circuit in place regional authorisation will be required for events not included in that circuit). • There are no requirements or restrictions for WSF Members or sanctioned promoters with regards to draw size, tournament format, etc. for any Satellite Tour tournament. The Satellite Tour for Juniors comprises Under-19 and Under-17 age group tournaments Overcoming compatriots Ali Farag and Raneem El • PSA members and non-members can compete in all Welily - the respective men’s and women’s World Satellite Tour tournaments. (To earn points for the No.2s, ElShorbagy successfully defending the title he PSA World Rankings, players will have to join the PSA). won twelve months ago and El Sherbini claiming the • All players competing in all WSF & PSA Satellite Tour coveted crown for the first time in her career. junior tournaments will need a WSF SPIN registration. In the tournament’s third consecutive season ending •There will be WSF World Junior Rankings at Under- staging in Dubai, it was Farag who started stronger 19 and Under-17 level, separated out of the PSA World against ElShorbagy in the men’s final to take the Rankings using results from all the PSA World Tour, opening game as he looked to exploits the tired legs PSA Regional Tour and WSF & PSA Satellite Tour. of ElShorbagy - with the 27-year-old having reached These begin at the start of August and will be 12 finals from 14 events played during the campaign. published monthly. Register your event here. The Beast!

But ElShorbagy showed just why he’s known as ‘The Beast’ on tour as he showed tremendous fighting spirit to level the match before prevailing in a physically Current WSF Accredited Companies are punishing third game to set up the platform for victory - which sees him end the season as World No.1, World Champion and World Series Finals champion. El Sherbini, the 22-year-old from Alexandria who has occupied the World No.1 position unchallenged for the past 26-months, underlined her dominance over the rest of the field as she swept El Welily aside in a one- sided 11-3 opening game. El Welily, who scalped El Sherbini to win the 2017 World Championship final, managed to find her footing in the second game but it proved to be in vain as El Sherbini regained the upper hand to move 2-1 ahead, before controlling the fourth game to seal the win. Final Results:[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [2] Ali Farag (EGY) 3-1: 9-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8 (51m) [1] Nour El Sherbini EGY) bt 2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) 3-1: 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 (41m)

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WSF APPROVED BALLS

Dunlop provide the WSF Adopted Ball, which is used for all WSF World Championships, along with all Regional events. A number of manufacturers make balls that have been ONLY TWO MONTHS TO GO …… until the first tested to conform to the WSF Squash Ball world squash championship ever to be held in China; Specifications and so are quality assured. when the city of Dalian hosts the 2018 WSF Women's They are all listed here: World Team Championship.

Dalian, a major city and seaport in the south of Artengo SB 990 Squash Ball Liaoning Province, will stage the biennial WSF championship at the Xigang Gymnasium, from 11-16 September, where holders Egypt (below) will be hoping to retain the title they won in Paris two years Black Knight Ball ago. Dunlop XX Yellow Dot The venue will Championship Ball feature two all– glass showcourts, Eye Squash Ball with arena seating, plus four permanent all- HEAD Sport AG Yellow Dot Ball glass courts.

Huashen Double & Single Entries are Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, England, Yellow Dot Balls Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland and USA. Karakal Squash Ball Event information is here

MR Price Sport Maxed Squash Ball

Taiball Yellow Dot Ball

Tecnifibre Squash Ball

Victor/VICTEC Doppel-Gelb Squash Ball

WSF AGM 2018 TO BE HELD IN CAIRO

The 48th Annual General Meeting of WSF will take place in Cairo, Egypt, on 24 – 27 October, being hosted by the Egyptian Squash Association.

The daily programme will be: 24: Board & Executive Committee, 25: WSF Commission Meetings, 26: Conference Day, 27: WSF AGM. Booking details are here.

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SNIPPETS FIRST FOR PHILIPPINES

MATTHEW’S SECOND BOW When Jemyca Aribado beat England’s Nick Matthew Kiwi Emma Millar in the played the final match of final to win the Women's his glittering 20-year- SquashGym International career after he lost out to Classic in New Zealand she World No.2 Ali Farag on a become the first ever PSA day that saw an Egyptian World Tour title-winner quartet claim victories to from the Philippines. reach the title deciders at Jemyca Aribado (PHI) bt the ATCO PSA Dubai World [5] Emma Millar (NZL) Series Finals.

37-year-old Matthew was set to retire after defeat to MIGUEL WINS ORDER OF MERIT TOO! Germany’s Raphael Kandra at the Allam British Open meant he failed to qualify for the World Series Finals, After beating top seed but a hamstring injury sustained by World No.3 Mohamed Elshorbagy in a Marwan ElShorbagy saw the Yorkshireman get a late stunning final to win the call-up. Allam British Open, he returned home to Three wins out of three saw Matthew top Group A but Colombia where the Major his tournament - and career - came to an end at the of Bogota, Enrique hands of Farag as he fell to a 11-5, 11-7 defeat. Peñalosa presented him Matthew, the most successful male English squash with the Order of Merit, the player of all time, bows out with 35 PSA World Tour highest decoration for a titles – including three PSA World Championship Citizen from the city. crowns – to his name, while he also claimed a trio of Commonwealth Games gold medals.

AIFA STRECHES & SHIFTS Matthew will now take on an ambassadorial and coaching role at England Squash. Malaysian Aifa

Azman, stretches “A few people this week have been trying to talk me on court and tries out of retirement but that’s not happening. I’m 100 to shift views too. per cent going to stay in squash, I’m going to have a As she says, “In a rest this summer, I’ve got some camps in the US and society rampant I’ll have a lot of family time and regroup. with body

shaming, now is

the time for all young women to shift their views of GOT A SPIN? GET A DISCOUNT. SAVE 20% ON themselves. Squash is a great way for me to keep fit. YOUR SUBSCRIPTION HERE It can reinforce positive body image and self-esteem and allows me to make new friends around the world too. To all young women out there, we are stronger than we think we are! Let’s make our dreams come true!!”

Executive Office: Maison du Sport International, Avenue de Rhodanie 54, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland Administrative Office: 25 Russell Street, Hastings, East Sussex, UK TN34 1QU Tel: +44 1424 447440 Fax: +44 1424 430737 Website: worldsquash.org

Chief Executive – Andrew Shelley: [email protected] Operations Manager – Lorraine Harding: [email protected] Assistant Operations Manager – Jasmine Pascoe: [email protected] Operations Assistant – Carol Hackett: [email protected]

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