IInnssttaanntt UUppddaattee ISSUE 53 NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2014 To: ALL WSF MEMBER NATIONAL FEDERATIONS cc: WSF Regional Vice-Presidents, WSF Committee Members, WSA, PSA, Accredited Companies WSF ELECTS NEW BOARD Meanwhile, Hugo Hannes (Belgium) and Mohamed The 44th World Squash Federation AGM and El-Menshawy (Egypt) were re-standing and both Conference, held this year alongside the US Open in were re-elected. The third Vice-President place went Philadelphia, included a two-day conference which to Canadian Linda MacPhail, Secretary General of the featured presentations from key people from outside Pan-American Squash Federation [pictured with (L to squash to provide interesting insights and their R) Mohamed El-Menshawy, President Ramachandran experiences from the wide world of sport and related and Hugo Hannes]. organisations. WSF President N Ramachandran, commented: These included diverse topics such as governance, "Heather Deayton (pictured with Ramachandran) has digital marketing, interacting with communities and been a wonderful member of the WSF team and I am assessment solutions amongst others. very sorry to lose her. However, Linda MacPhail is a These included an exciting new film-based great addition, and it is a pleasure to welcome back programme for referee assessment and education Hugo and Mensh. which was demonstrated by Indian National Coach "These are exciting Major Maniam to the great interest of delegates. times for squash and Along with general business the centrepiece of the having spent the last AGM was the few days with delegates Vice Presidential representing member elections for the nations from around the three positions. world, I know that they Hong Kong's share our intention to Heather Deayton provide leadership for the sport at all completed her levels."Delegates also had the opportunity to watch maximum term matches at the Delaware Investments US Open, also and so stood superbly hosted by US Squash at Drexel University down - after where Egyptian Mohamed ElShorbagy claimed the being warmly world number one position for the first time along acclaimed for her service to the WSF Board. with the title, while Nicol David dominated proceedings in the women’s event. 1 THE OLYMPIC GAMES POSITION WSA AND PSA JOIN FORCES The squash bid for a place on the Olympic Games, Thhe Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Tokyo 2020 concluded in Buenos Aires in September Women's Squash Association (WSA) are set to join 2013 when wrestling was voted back in. However, forces in an historic merger that will see the that gathering professional ranks in the sport of squash also saw the administered by one unifiied governingn body for the election of first time ever. Thhomas Bach (ppictured) as Following a lengthy consultation process involving President of the the sport's major stakeholders over the past ten IOC, taking over months, which included inviting both memberships of from retiring the PSA and WSA to vote on the proposed merger, a Jacques Roggge. decision was reached that will see the Professional Since then there Squash Association operate as the governing body has been change in the air. for both from January 1, 2015. Last December ‘Olympic AAgenda 2020’ was put in place so that all elements of IOC business could be Continuing to operate under the existing PSA name, reviewed. There have been IOC Commission and the re-formed organisation will be responsible for Olympic Summits, as well as an IOC Session where running the men's and women's professional gaame discussions have been had and fourteen Working with the strategic aims of increasingn the level of Groups were set up to bring forward equality and parity in prize money and playing recommendations. opportunities across the professional game. These Working Groups’ findings were presented to the IOC Executive Board during October and will be "We have been in discussion with the WSA since the voted upon by the membership during the IOC bege inning of 2014 regaarding a potential merrger Extraordinary Session in Monte Carlo on 8 / 9 between the two associations," said PSA Chief December, having been reviewed by the IOC Executive Alex Gough. Executive Board on 23 / 24 October. More Unified Base The relevance for squash is that amongst the "Both parties felt that a merger would provide a reported forty recommendations which are more unified base from which to grow the sport of understood to broadly cover sustainability, credibility squash across the globe and to proactively increase and youth, are the way that the programme of sports the levels of equality and opportunity for both and events are developed and how access will take geenders at the elite level. place in the future. We don’t know what they are at present as they will "We are committed to driving the sport forward and not be made public for some weeks, but it is thought have long-term plans in place to achieve parity in that the emphasis will change from a cap of events prize-money across the sport and ensure that equal to a cap of athletes, and that additional sports could opportunities are available for both male and female still be added to increase flexibility. squash players. It is also clear that given host city approval the sports programme for 2020 can be altered despite it As a result of the merger the WSA will now begin a already having been fixed. wind-down process, set to be completed by Due to the assiduous efforts of WSF President December 31st 2014, when squash will usher in an Ramachandran throughout this period, our case for exciting new era of joint-responsibility and unified inclusion has been vigorously made and the strength goovernance. of it recognised by key IOC people. "The WSA members are very excited to merge with The door is now ajar agaain. If it opens further in the men and form one unified governing body for Monte Carlo in advance of a final decision next year professional squash," said WSA Chief Executive squash is ready to walk through it. Toommy Berden. "Over the past ten months we have _____________________________________ been able to discuss in depth how the merger will TENDER DEADLINES benefit our sport and we really feel this is the riight The deadline for receipt for World Championships time to move things forward for both the men's and tenders is 31st December two years ahead of the the women's tour. event year i.e. for 2017 events (e.g. World Men’s Teams and World Juniors) is 31st December this year. It's encouraging to see that more promoters are following the example set by the US Open to pay The opportunity to host the World Juniors 2016 is equal prize money and we are expecting more events still available. Interested members should contact the to follow suit in the upcoming year“. WSF immediately for details. 2 NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE COACHING / CERTIFIED EYEWEAR BRANDS REFEREEING COMMITTEES BY WSF Thhe following brands have passed national safety On a recommendation from the Development and standards and, having applied for WSF Certified Coaching Committee, the World Squash listing, are the only brands permitted for use in WSF, Federation has appointed an experienced coaching Rege ional and many national junior events. manaager Michael Khan (left) as When buying new products, look for the WSF the WSF Coach Education Certified Tested logo. Brands that become certified Programme Coordinator. He will be added to the WSF website and featured in will report to the Director of Instant Updates. the Development and Coaching Committee and will assist with the delivery of the WSF Coach BRAND NAME APPROVED MODEL Education Programme. The Black Knight Turbo (AC 114) programme is developing Turbo Junior (AC 114 Jr) standard coach and tutor Lasers (AC 111) courses, beginning with Level Sight Guard (AC 112) Kona (AC 119) 1, at the start of next year. Kona Junior (AC 119 Jr) A former Austrian team player, Khan has been Lynx (AC 122) Director of the European Squash Federation Coaching Stiletto (AC 620) Committee since 2005 and has tutored coaches for Dunlop Dunlop I-ARMOR the past ten years. Khan will help develop materials, coordinate ‘technical’ elements, and liaise with nations and reegions. “Developing a Coach Education Grays Grays GT Eyewear Proogramme for World Squash is an extremely exciting challennge, and I am delighted to be part of this new projeect which will be very beneficial to the sport and coaches worldwide,” said Khan. i-Mask i-Mask Meanwhile, Welsh referee Roy Gingell (below) has taken on the role of WSF Referees Committee Director, and is chargeed with supporting and Karakal 2500 (9903 Jnr) developing the WSF Referee Pro 3000 (R43) qualification, education and assessment proogrammes. Oliver Rage (9903V) Ginngell said: “I am Rage Junior (9903JR) delighted to be joining the Prolite (RB10C) WSF as Director of the Speed (R601) Referees at such an excitinng Attitude (PRO2) time for our sport. I look Shark (R43) Marvel (SE-7) forward to drawing on my experience and begin Reydon (Mantis) Mantis Protective working with all member Nations, Reegions and, of Eyewear course, our referees to take forward the development Prince Rage (9903V) and promotion of refereeing.” Rage Junior (9903JR) The highly-respected Welshman brings thirty years' Prolite (RB10C) experience which has seen him referee at the highest Speed (R601) level and handle an array of major events around the Attitude (Pro2) world includinng numerous World Championship Tecnifibre R615 finals. In addition to assessing and tutoring, Gingell has been heavily involved in developing, delivering and reviewing various strategies and pathways in relation to different aspects of the game. WSF EYEWEAR POSTERS On the launch of these two major initiatives, WSF Too help promote awareness of eye protection, don’t President N Ramachandran commented: "The World forget that the scalable-poster is available that can Squash Federation has reinforced its commitment to be downloaded by centres and placed on court proogressing the management and standards in the doors, notice boards or in changing rooms.