Exclusive: Kasey Brown revealed as the new WSA president

Kasey Brown given leading role at the WSA to kick-start new era
By KRISTI MAROC – Squash Mad New York Correspondent

AUSTRALIAN number one Kasey Brown has been appointed President of the Women’s Squash Association during their Annual General Meeting in New York on Saturday, Squash Mad can reveal.

The 28 year old, who has competed on the Women’s Professional Tour for twelve years, is the current world number 11 and replaces Ireland’s Aisling Blake who has held the position since January last year. 

The new WSA Board, elected by the membership, also includes Ashley Bernhard (USA), Nathan Dugan (USA), Jenny Duncalf (England), Marjolein Houtsma (Netherlands), Latasha Khan (Chairman, USA) and Laura Massaro (England).

“It’s a huge honour to be appointed WSA president,” said Brown. “It was just announced last night, and I’m really excited to be working with the staff and with the fellow directors in trying to promote squash and female squash.”

Brown, who is based in New York, has been passionate about promoting squash for women throughout her career. A landmark occasion for women’s squash was seen last year when the 2013 US Open set the record as the first major professional event to offer equal prize money for both the women’s and men’s events.

“It was fantastic – to have that event at that equal prize money is such a huge thing. It’s such a huge stepping stone for squash,” added the 28-year-old.

The Women’s Tour has seen some disruptions in recent years, including the 2013 World Championship almost being cancelled, until it was recently announced that the event would be held in Penang, Malaysia in March this year.  

“It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to put that tournament on again. The WSA staff have done really well to get that on, so it will be interesting to see who will be the 2013 World champion. 

“At the end of this year we’ll have the 2014 World Championship as well, so it’s really exciting to look toward the future and see what this year holds.

“We want to continue to grow women’s squash, and I just want to do everything I can to promote the sport, and to promote healthy living,”

Brown will be in action at the Tournament of Champions on Monday afternoon, when she faces new world number five Joelle King in the first round at Grand Central Station in New York.

Picture by Steve Line (SquashPics)