IInnssttaanntt UUppddaattee ISSUE 36 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2012 To: ALL WSF MEMBER NATIONAL FEDERATIONS cc: WSF Regional Vice-Presidents, WSF Committee Members, WSA, PSA, Accredited Companies GOODBYE 2011 MALAYSIAN PM HONOURS NICOL DAVID There is never a dull moment in Nicol David, the Malaysian who has topped the the international squash world. women's world squash rankings unopposed since We saw great action on the PSA 2006, was feted by the country's Prime Minister for and WSA Tours, fabulous World her outstanding achievements. Championships – who can forget Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak met the great staging and David and her parents at his office to congratulate presentations for the World the 28-year-old from Penang on creating history by Opens in Rotterdam and the winning a record Men’s Teams in Paderborn, sixth world title coupled with a great deal happening in so many last month in the other areas of our sport. Netherlands. Of course this importantly included gaining a place Speaking to on the shortlist of sports competing for the one reporters after available place in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, receiving a and in the second half of the year with our bid courtesy call by consultants Vero Communications and in conjunction the World No 1 with WSA and PSA building the bid itself. squash player at There is a great deal to look forward to in 2012, but his office here, first must come a really big thank you to so many Najib expressed organisations and individuals for your interaction and the hope that her success would spur other athletes support. I know that I speak for the officers and us to similarly excel in their respective sports. staff alike saying that the goodwill and enthusiasm in “On behalf of the government and the people of our sport surely cannot be replicated elsewhere. Malaysia, I would like to extend heartiest congratulations to Nicol,” he said. David described the meeting with the prime minister as a truly meaningful event for her and her parents. “It was a great honour for me and my family to get the recognition from the government and Malaysians. Thank you for the all support,” she said. The country's most successful squash player of all- time had been greeted by hundreds of fans on arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport - all eager to The referee contingent at the recent Hong Kong Open see her world championship gold medal. There are just too many federations, enthusiasts, _____________________________________ promoters, media and supporters to name any FROM NOW UNTIL 2022 specifically, so forgive me for spreading this gratitude All the WSF World Championships and conferences around in such general terms; but, having said that, I for the next ten years have been allocated to the five would pay special tribute to all our dedicated WSF regions to ensure that each area of the world referees. From WSF referees through to regional, has the opportunity to host. The system also ensures national and local ones, and assessors too, we really that prospective host countries can bid several years do appreciate you. ahead via their region to ensure maximum promotion So, thank you one and all and very best wishes for a and preparation time. happy, healthy and peaceful 2012. A year which I Countries interested in hosting the many WSF hope will be filled with successes. championships and conferences should contact their region to see what events and conferences are coming up for them. _____________________________________ [email protected] OLYMPIC BID UPDATE WORLD SQUASH DAY HITS THE SPOT President Ramachandran recently had a personal The theme of World Squash Day in November was to meeting with IOC President Count Jacques Rogge in attract a new generation of female participants to Lausanne. There was further clarification of the bid squash, and was a real success with events all over process provided in advance of our Olympic Bid the world as clubs opened their doors to offer free Steering Group (WSF, PSA, WSA and Vero) meeting activities to females of all ages. th again on 6 January to continue to prepare for all the In Johannesburg more than 600 children from the steps ahead. Soweto townships were given a free lunch and This followed a media round table held in London in treated to a day of squash and education classes. early November where the campaign slogan was Former WSA member Lauren Siddall, now Head revealed: Coach at Pretoria University, said: "It was a fantastic day, combining World Squash Day celebrations with Squash – Sport at its Best real-life issues and education for people who wouldn't usually have the opportunity to play squash but who fell in love with the game instantly”. At the meeting Mr Ramachandran stressed to Elsewhere in the world, Athens forgot about currency journalists that innovation will be a core element of problems for a while to enjoy World Squash Day at squash’s campaign for inclusion into the 2020 the Vari Club. The Greek women's national team, the Olympic Games. He also outlined the significant Balkan champions known as the Golden Girls, played growth the sport has achieved in recent years and exhibition matches and gave free coaching to some of the major enhancements that have been newcomers and club members. introduced since Squash’s most recent campaign for Olympic inclusion for 2016. In New Zealand, home of former world champions Susan Devoy and Carol Owens, squash leaders are He said: “We know we have to show the taking the message even further by extending their International Olympic Committee that Squash is a programme from a single day to a whole year. fantastic product, and that we are not scared to Squash New Zealand have designated 2012 as the innovate. Over the past few years, since our last Year of Women's Squash to increase female campaign for Olympic inclusion, the sport has participation. progressed significantly with the introduction of SquashTV by PSA, ‘Video Review’ technology, new Japan's leading international women players chose and exciting showcourts with revolutionary lighting World Squash Day to launch a campaign to gain and surfaces, together with the WSF Ambassador more awareness for the sport to support the World Programme. It is vital over this next campaign that Squash Federation's bid for squash to gain a place in we communicate these innovations to the IOC to the 2020 Olympic Games. show just how far the sport has come, and what the Meanwhile, in Kuwait a host of players were brought exciting plans are together featuring juniors competing from twelve for the future”. clubs – pictured here: Women’s world number three Madeline Perry was present to meet the media too, and added her weight to the Squash 2020 Olympic Games Campaign by being the first player to sign a letter pledging her support to Squash A Squash Mania doubles tournament in Moscow 2020. attracted more than 130 players to illustrate the growth of the sport in Russia. It is also positive to report that the President and Secretary General have now been accredited for the Activities across many clubs in Ireland featured an London Olympics this summer, allowing some inflatable squash court and attracted many excellent integration opportunities where our case newcomers to the sport. can continue to be pressed. Newcastle's Eldon Leisure Centre in England, a Meanwhile, during the course of the year we shall be former home of the British National Championship, asking all Federations for assistance with statistics to held a women's tournament and open day, and in answer the some 80+ page questionnaire the IOC Kent, World Squash Day founder, Alan Thatcher led a Programme Commission will be sending us – your co- day of fun and fitness activity to attract new female operation over this is vital, please make it a high players to squash and announced the formation of a priority. new county-wide competition for women, the Kent Grand Prix Series. _____________________________________ _____________________________________ WSF DIRECTORY INITIATIVE HOSTS ANNOUNCED................ If you want to go on holiday or business to a hotel or Gold Coast a resort with squash courts, or to join a squash camp Queensland's Gold Coast have secured the right to and get some coaching as part of an intensive course stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games, beating or a holiday, where could you go for a one-stop shop off competition from Hambantota in Sri Lanka. of details? Until now, nowhere as information was The squash tournament will be held at the fragmented. redeveloped Runaway Bay Sports Complex, which So, to help squash enthusiasts around the world, will also host the weightlifting competition. from junior through to adult, to have a place to go to A temporary show court will be built at Runaway Bay, find information on hotels / resorts or squash camps along with a permanent centre featuring six singles in a number of countries we have introduced the courts and four courts that can be adjusted to cater WSF World Squash Camp Directory for both singles and doubles. and WSF Hotel / Resorts (Facilities) Directory, both of which will be "This is an excellent outcome for our sport and featured on the WSF website. ensures squash will continue to have a high profile in one of Australia's fastest growing areas", commented The site goes live on the WSF Squash Australia Chief Executive Gary O'Donnell. website on 16 January. Despite it being an indoor sport, squash has always If you know hotels / resorts or enjoyed good support and success on the Gold squash camps do pass on the Coast. Australian squash legend Geoff Hunt has his registration link below so that they family house there, and former world champion can use this marketing tool........