While the globe’s leading elite athletes are beginning to arrive in the English capital London for the 2012 Olympic Games, more than 750 of the world’s top senior-age-group squash players from 46 countries are converging on Birmingham for the 2012 SUBWAY World Masters Squash Championships from 20-27 July.

The World Squash Federation championships, originally launched in Australia in 1983, now boast 18 different events – ranging from Men’s and Women’s Over-35 championships to, for the first time this year, a Men’s Over-80 event. CourtTech will be represented in the O50 group with Jonas Görnerup, Sales Director of CourtTech and Zainal Abidin, Director of CourtTech Asia.

Peter Fahrenheim is seeded to become the inaugural O80 champion. But the 81-year-old South African – a former World Masters O65, O70 and O75 champion – will not be the oldest player to compete in Birmingham.

Fahrenheim is positively youthful in comparison with Jim Dickens, a Canadian who celebrated his 86th birthday in May – and will meet 81-year-old Scot Alex Hamilton in the first round.

Australia’s former world number one Michelle Martin makes her World Masters debut as top seed in the Women’s O45 event. The six-time British Open champion and three-time World Open champion turned 45 this year – and is expected to meet compatriot Sarah Nelson, a former World O40 champion, in the final.

Senga Macfie, a 43-year-old from Edinburgh who is still playing for Scotland’s senior team, is expected to win her maiden World Masters title in the Women’s O40 championship.

Sabine Schoene, a former world No6 from Germany, is seeded to retain her Women’s 035 crown – while Masters newcomer Omar Elborolossy, a former world No14 from Egypt, is expected to wrest the Men’s O35 trophy from holder Renan Lavigne, the event’s No2 seed from France.

Home hopes rest with Peter Alexander, the top seed in the Men’s O55 event from Suffolk; Berkshire’s 62-year-old Keith Jones who is expected to retain his Men’s O60 title; Brighton-based Philip Ayton who is favourite in the Men’s O65 event; Derbyshire’s Adrian Wright, the top Men’s O70 seed; Gloucestershire’s former O70 champion John Woodliffe, the top seed in the Men’s O75 event; Kent’s Mandy Akin, the Women’s O50 favourite; and Yorkshire’s Julie Field, top Women’s O55 seed.

Action will be spread across four venues, including Edgbaston Priory Club with CT Courts, West Warwickshire Sports Club, Solihull Arden Club and the University of Birmingham where a spectacular all-glass show court will be erected in the new Bramall Auditorium, on which many of the finals will be staged.

The World Squash Federation (WSF) has confirmed that the 2013 WSF World Junior Squash Championships have been awarded to the Polish city of Wroclaw.

The decision follows an inspection of the proposed venue and hotel options by WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley.

The events will feature the World Individual Under-19 titles for both men and women (16-21 July), followed by the Women’s World Junior Team Championship (22-27 July).

Welcoming the allocation of the event to his city, Deputy Mayor Michal Janicki commented: “We can truly say that you will have a great welcome in Wroclaw and we look forward to meeting the world of squash in our city next year.

“Squash is becoming very popular and, as far as I know, the biggest facilities in any sport being built in the city are from squash,” he added.

The announcement – coming on the eve of the 2012 edition taking place in Doha, Qatar – sees the 2013 event being played at the Hasta La Vista Club, a new Wroclaw facility which is due to fully open next month.

Squash is already being played on its impressive twelve CourtTech courts, which include a three-glass-wall ‘centre court’.

Owner Zenon Waniak explained that it was his love of squash that encouraged him to invest in the sport by building the centre. “It was a huge fondness for squash on one side and on the other side its very dynamic development in my country,” said Waniak.

Shelley underlined the expansion of the sport as he told the Deputy Mayor: “Poland is a great success story and is poised to become a European market leader in the sport in the coming years. To have the opportunity to bring a WSF World Championship to Wroclaw is only going to be the first of many, I am sure.

“The superlative facilities at Hasta La Vista, coupled with the plans to showcase squash by holding the finals on an all-glass show court in the city centre, make for something to really look forward to in a year’s time.”

The opportunity for Poland to host a world championship also delighted Polish Squash Federation President Tomasz Banasiak, who added: “We were privileged to host the European Individual Championships in 2011, and we are excited to take the step up to a world title next year as part of our strategic plan to grow squash as a perfect sporting activity in our country.”

These championships follow on from the city hosting matches in the European Football Championships and an announcement that Wroclaw will be the chosen host for the World Games 2017.

Photo caption: Pictured at the signing of the agreement are (L to R): Tomasz Banasiak, Michal Janicki, Andrew Shelley, Zenon Waniak, Marek Wojnarski (Hasta La Vista manager) and Piotr Mazur (Wroclaw Director, Sports, Tourism and Recreation)

Issued by Howard Harding, World Squash Federation World Media Director

Tel: (44) 1737-243333 or (mobile) (44) 7773-325130
Email: Howard@hhpr.co.uk
WSQ 6758 6 July 2012

(Stamford, CT (USA) –28. June 2012) Chelsea Piers Connecticut (CPCT) is a 400,000-sq-ft (37.000 m²) state-of-the-art sports and recreation facility located in Stamford, CT (USA). Chelsea Piers Connecticut, the sister facility of the famous Chelsea Piers New York, consist of several core sports facilities encompassing more than 20 sports like Ice Rinks, Aquatics Center, Gymnastics Training Center, Baseball and Softball Training Facility, Field House, Squash Club with 11 CourtTech singles and one American Hardball doubles court, Tennis Club, Adventure Center. Like Chelsea Piers New York, CPCT will combine athletic facilities with an extensive array of professional instructors and league programs for youths, teens and adults.
Chelsea Piers Racquets Director is Natalie Grainger. Natalie Grainger has been a dominant fixture in the squash world since turning pro in 1996 at age 18. Throughout her 15-year professional career, Grainger has won dozens of tournaments, rising in 2003 to be the #1 squash player in the world. She is currently the U.S. National Champion. Grainger is also a leader and ambassador for the sport having served for eight years as the President of the Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA).

ground plan of Chelsea Piers CT

Entrace to the Squash section.

all together 11 CT courts split in two rows

View from outside

The World Squash Federation (WSF) has confirmed today that for future World Doubles Championships, Commonwealth Games and other major events, the height of the tin used for men’s, women’s and mixed events will be lowered from 43cm (17″) to 33cm (13″) – with the current expanded doubles court width of 8.42 metres (27.63 ft), as used at the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi, being maintained.

Explaining the background to the decision, WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley said: “Because some matches, primarily men’s, proved to be too lengthy and unexciting at major championships, the format has been under review.

“Following matches played last month between pairs representing Australia, England and Scotland, using a variety options, the data and comments have been reviewed and it has been decided by WSF that lowering the tin by 30% provides an excellent means of encouraging shot-making and using the full court to provide really entertaining play for spectators and broadcast viewers alike.”

A new four million (Australian) dollar squash centre close to completion in Darwin is yet another example of squash’s resilience and growth in Australia.

The new 12-court facility with six CourtTech Club Courts and 6 CourtTech Flexi Courts has been developed through a partnership between the squash authority and the Northern Territory government.

“The Territory government is committed to supporting local clubs and developing home-grown talent, and that is why we have invested $4 million in this facility,” said Minister Daniel Knight.

“With 12 courts, a kiosk, changing rooms and ancillary offices, plus a caretaker’s residence, our top level Squash players will be able to develop their skills in a world-class facility,” added Knight.

This investment is just one example of new courts being built across the country, as noted by former squash great Michelle Martin. “Ten centres went up around Australia last year and there are more on the horizon,” said the three times world champion.

Indeed, Squash Australia reports that dozens of courts are going up in Townsville, Bowen and Innisfail in Queensland, the Barossa Valley, western Sydney, Port Hedland, and the Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games – as well as in Darwin.

Martin believes it is also great news for the wellbeing of Australians: “I’m a big believer in teaching children hand-eye co-ordination,” said the former world number one. “So if you get that taught as a child from a young age, they’ve got that for life and then they’ll be able to develop any sport from there.

“The fact that people are time poor, that’s helped. It’s very much a positive for the sport because people just want a quick workout.”

WSF President N Ramachandran was delighted to hear the Australian news: “This is exactly the sort of new development – larger, modern, variety of family-orientated facilities, replacing the myriad of small private two or three courts centres – needed in the so called ‘traditional countries’, leading to resumption of growth and mirroring the successful developments in so many newer squash countries.

The Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham, United Kingdom

CourtTech UK just completed the installation of 4 new club courts in a record 16 days in time for the Edgbaston Priory Junior Squash Open Easter weekend, and the World Masters this summer. Thanks to CT team Bryan, Israel, Nuno & Ferdinand, and the CourtTech UK team with Richard, Ian for making it happen.“

The courts have been tested by Edgbaston Squash Pros Chris Truswell (World ranking 135) and Chris Ryder (World ranking 36). The players and Club Squash Chairman Ellis Shortt gave the new courts their seal of approval and were delighted with the playing characteristics of the courts.

During the summer CourtTech will renovate the three old plaster courts at the EdgbastonPriory Club with CT Renovation Walls.

 „Edgbaston Squash Pros Chris Truswell (World ranking 135) & Chris Ryder (World ranking 36, centre) with Club Squash Chairman Ellis Shortt giving the new courts their seal of approval“

Edgbaston 4 courts