Nick and Nicol are Laureus ambassadors
By MICHAEL CATLING – Squash Mad Chief Reporter
NICK MATTHEW and Nicol David, squash’s male and female World champions, are new sports ambassadors for Laureus.
The news was revealed today by the PSA, who said they were delighted to announce a partnership for 2014 with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, one of the biggest global sports charities in the world.
The agreement will see Laureus, through their Sport for Good Foundation, become the PSA’s official charity partner, working together to utilise sport’s positive power to further social change and promote community sports development.
Both organisations will collaborate with squash charities and initiatives around the world to help promote healthy living, learning and integrity for those in underprivileged areas in what is Laureus’s first ever partnership with a sporting governing body.
As part of the partnership, world number ones Matthew and David have become the latest Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Ambassadors.
“We’re thrilled to have agreed a partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and we look forward to developing initiatives with them over the coming months,” said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.
“Laureus are a organisation with strong principles who are dedicated to harnessing the power of sport to help improve the quality of lives for those in less fortunate circumstances.
“We are fully committed to helping them achieve their goals through the sport of Squash. Squash is a sport which encourages physical fitness and well being as well as sportsmanship and respect between athletes and we hope to help spread this message, via Laureus, around the world.”
Laureus World Sports Academy Chairman Edwin Moses said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Nicol and Nick to Laureus and thank them for their commitment.
“I am also delighted that the Professional Squash Association has chosen Laureus to be their charity partner. Squash is a sport which embraces fairplay, sportsmanship, positive attitude and encourages you to be the best that you can be.
“I know this is going to be a great partnership and I would like to thank the PSA for teaming up with Laureus.”
Speaking at the official launch of the partnership at the Tournament of Champions in New York’s Grand Central Terminal, Matthew said; “I’m absolutely delighted to be named a Laureus Ambassador.
“This is a big honour for me and for squash and I’d like to thank the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy for asking me. We all know how effective sport can be in tackling problems and bringing people together.
“That is at the heart of what Laureus does and it’s also something that I believe in passionately. I look forward to be being able to do what I can to help.”
Seven-time World champion David added: “I am delighted and honoured to be named as a Sport for Good Ambassador for the Laureus Foundation.
“They are dedicated to improving the lives of people in disadvantaged areas which is something I support strongly and I am looking forward to joining them in their mission to promote healthy living through squash and sharing my passion for sport to others.”