Nick Matthew leads massive day of action in England
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor
PSA stars past and present are making a racket to support World Squash Day.
Former world champion Nick Matthew is spearheading a week-long project at his lifelong training base, the Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club in Sheffield.
Matthew, who won the world title three times alongside three British Open triumphs, said: “The World Squash Day programme has already started with a Season Launch event and the Nick Matthew Junior Open.
“On Wednesday we host our first Yorkshire League home match of the season, and on Thursday the Nick Matthew Academy will be holding an Open Evening with free sessions for junior players of all abilities from far and wide.”
Youngsters will have the opportunity to get on court with Matthew and coaching partner Neil Guirey, and learn from conditioning expert Mark Campbell on the fitness side of the game.
Hallamshire will be hosting a full programme of fun activities on World Squash Day, holding junior and adult drop-in sessions throughout the day.
At another Yorkshire club, former world No.2 and England international Suzanne Horner will be coaching newcomers during a big day of activity at Barnsley which involves a 12-hour battle between racketball and squash players!
World Squash Day is endorsed by the World Squash Federation and the Professional Squash Association (PSA), who are supporting efforts to attract one million new players to the sport over the next decade.
The PSA Foundation are offering free subscriptions to SQUASHTV to the clubs who stage the best events designed to attract a new generation of players to the game.
Leading PSA stars have also signed two World Squash Day shirts, which will be auctioned off to provide funding for special squash causes.
The USA will be celebrating World Squash Day in style, with events coinciding with finals day of the US Open at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Events are taking place across the country where World Squash Day was launched following the death of numerous squash players during the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
World No.7 Diego Elias is scheduled to make an appearance at a World Squash Day event in Miraflores in Peru alongside his fitness coach Roberto Aliaga – although Elias might have to change his plans if he reaches the final in Philly!
Events are also taking place across South America in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Colombia.
Egypt is currently dominating world squash and the Black Ball Sporting Club in New Cairo will take a starring role on World Squash Day.
This imposing club, with 19 courts, has already hosted two major PSA World Tour events on their spectacular all-glass showcourt.
Karim Abdel Gawad and Raneem El Welily won the separate men’s and women’s events staged in December and March.
The same court will be put to good use on World Squash Day when the club opens its doors to attract new players.
Squash Director Ashraf Hanafi said: “We will be welcoming new players and also inviting local schools to join us on World Squash Day.”
A special film about called The Squash Pharaohs, about the current Egyptian stars at the top of both the men’s and women’s world rankings, is being premiered at the Black Ball Club on the following Saturday (October 19th).
In India, former national champion and PSA World Tour star Ritwik Bhattacharya’s growing academy is running World Squash Day camps at squash clubs and military bases.
In Australia, squash enthusiasts will be taking to the streets in Brisbane to hit balls against the walls of landmark buildings to raise the profile of the sport.
Indoors, the Daisy Hill Club, managed by Malta star Bradley Hindle, will be holding a massive day of activity on the Saturday followed by a special awards evening on the Monday.
While Aussie ace Cam Pilley will be competing in the US Open, his family back home in Australia are planning the WSD event at Club Coops in Carseldine, Queensland, promising a day of fun and fitness.
The UK is leading the way with more than 200 events. England Squash have set the bar very high, offering equipment and funding packages to clubs in partnership with leading squash brand Karakal. Other prizes are also on offer from SquashSkills.
As well as Hallamshire, World Squash Day has kicked off a week early in Luxembourg with events being held at Kockesheuer Sportcenter. That venue closes this week for refurbishment and the action switches to Ettelbruck on Saturday.
An Angry Birds competition also took place in Singapore before players head up to Kuala Lumpur in neighbouring Malaysia for another event this weekend.
In Scotland, Inverness Tennis and Squash Club are holding a 24-hour squash marathon to raise funds for the Highland Hospice starting at 7pm on Friday. On World Squash Day the club will be encouraging members to introduce family and friends to the game, alongside a doubles competition, squash-related challenges and some fun activities.
The World Squash Day map www.worldsquashday.net/sign-up-here/ tracks every registered event, revealing activities from Armenia to America, from Lebanon to London, from Wagga Wagga to Vancouver, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Malaysia to Mexico, from Thailand to Toronto, and from China to Cochabamba in Bolivia.
World Squash Day T-shirts are available from a variety of stockists across the world. Full list here