Squash Stars » Competitions

WISPA Finds Gold in Cayman Islands

Kavitha Aruljothi — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 03:57:28 +0000

A WISPA RELEASE:

An increase in the prize fund has led to the 2010 Women’s Cayman Islands Squash Open going Gold, according to an announcement by the Women’s International Squash Players’ Association.

The $55,300 WISPA World Tour event – the third Gold event of the year, from 11-17 April – will be staged for the first time on an all-glass court erected at Camana Bay, a 500-acre shopping, entertainment, office and residential complex stretching from the Caribbean sea to the North Sound in Grand Cayman.

Launched in 2009, the Cayman Islands Open has again attracted the world’s top players, led by Malaysia’s world number one Nicol David, with Natalie Grainger, in-form Jenny Duncalf, and contenders Rachael Grinham and Alison Waters all in the mix. Grainger will be making her return to the WISPA Tour in Grand Cayman after a seven-month layoff with a foot injury.

Indeed, the draw predicts a quarter-final meeting between David and Grainger – a repeat of last year’s final, won by the Malaysian!

Meanwhile, Cayman number one Marlene West, the main draw wild card, faces the daunting prospect of meeting 2007 world champion Rachael Grinham in the opening round.

Tournament Director Dan Kneipp is delighted to be welcoming back the sport’s top women: “The Cayman Islands National Squash Association is extremely excited to host the world’s best players to our Caribbean Island.

“We are very pleased to be able to increase our WISPA World Tour championship to the Gold level. Cayman has never seen a pro tournament played on a glass show court, so we know that there will be a lot of enthusiasm and public interest as this is set up on the waterfront at Camana Bay.

“Having eight of the world’s top 10 squash players is creating an enormous buzz in Cayman as we prepare to watch the world’s best competing for our international title.

“The WISPA pros were a huge asset to our junior squash last year, helping hundreds of kids experience the sport for the first time,” Kneipp added. “We again have 14 schools that will be doing workshops and watching the pro matches and we expect this to be an invaluable tool in helping us get more Caymanian juniors into squash.

“The Cayman Islands National Squash Association also sees this as an incredible experience for our Commonwealth Games team as we prepare for Delhi 2010. For a young, amateur team to be playing alongside the world’s best professional will only add to our team’s experience and ability to compete at an international level.

“We welcome the world’s best players and the international squash media to the Cayman Islands in April.”

WISPA CEO Andrew Shelley added: “It is always very satisfying to see an event build, and that is certainly the case with the Cayman Islands Open. The debut last year was memorable for being awash with local school children trying squash at the South Sound Squash Club every day.

“This year juniors will doubtless be a major feature again, but bringing in a glass show court too in the superb outside setting of Camana Bay will be yet another great step forward in raising the profile of squash on the Island and pushing the delights of the Cayman Islands to squash enthusiasts worldwide.”

An all-glass court to be erected at Camana Bay

1st round draw:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Qualifier

[6] Natalie Grainger (USA) v Qualifier

[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Marlene West (CAY)

[5] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL)

[8] Kasey Brown (AUS) v Samantha Teran (MEX)

[4] Alison Waters (ENG) v Qualifier

[7] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Qualifier

[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Camille Serme (FRA)

Nicol David Sets Sights On Six In KL

Elaine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:23:18 +0000

- A WISPA RELEASE -

Tournament to be held at Berjaya Times Square, located in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle.

Malaysia’s world number one Nicol David will compete for the first time on home soil next month when she bids to win her sixth title at the CIMB Women’s KL Open Squash Championship in Kuala Lumpur.

The $53,500 championship, the second WISPA World Tour Gold event of the year, will get underway at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil on 17 March, leading to the final on an all-glass court at Berjaya Times Square – a vast shopping and entertainment centre in the Malaysian capital – on Saturday 20 March.

Nicol David, 26, from Penang, is enjoying a remarkable career since topping the women’s world rankings uninterrupted for the past 43 months. Indeed, aged just 15, David reached the second Tour final of her career at the KL Open in July 1999 – since when she has made the final on nine occasions, winning her nation’s prestigious title a total of five times.

But the Malaysian star’s title bid last year came to a shock end when she was beaten by US rival Natalie Grainger in a dramatic five-game final.

David is seeded to reclaim the title – in the absence of world No6 Grainger who is still recovering from injury.

But there will be stiff competition in the star-studded field – none more so than from Jenny Duncalf, the second seed from England who twice beat the Penangite in successive events at the end of last year.

David will hope to be in the opposite half from England’s Alison Waters, the third seed who is undefeated so far this year after winning two successive WISPA titles at the Harrow Greenwich Open and Burning River Classic in the USA – then returning home to beat higher-ranked Duncalf in the British National Championship final last week.

Egypt’s title bid is led by long-time David rival Omneya Abdel Kawy, the fourth seed from Cairo who has reached four Tour finals in as many months.

The top eight seeds are: 1 Nicol David (MAS); 2 Jenny Duncalf (ENG); 3 Alison Waters (ENG); 4 Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY); 5 Madeline Perry (IRL); 6 Laura Massaro (ENG); 7 Vanessa Atkinson (NED); 8 Kasey Brown (AUS).

Follow our Facebook Fanpage for quick updates.

Download schedule and ticketing information here.

For the full WISPA tournament draw, click here.

WISPA Goes Gold In Chennai

Elaine — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:36:30 +0000

A WISPA RELEASE:

Expect to witness a fierce battle from the best players.

In an exciting Asian development for the WISPA World Tour, the Women’s Chennai Open has been upgraded in its second year to WISPA Gold level.

The $53,500 championship will be played at the Indian Squash Academy, under the auspices of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), from 2-7 March.

With the Indian capital of Delhi hosting the Asian Squash Championships in April, followed by the Commonwealth Games in October as well as several other squash Tour events, the country will become a regular stop for a number of players this year.

Welcoming the event, WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley said: “It is great for our Tour that we are able to take the lead in this SRFI initiative. And with the Gold level CIMB KL Open in Malaysia later in March this Asian event cluster will be the centrepiece of a month to relish on our growing Tour.

“The Chennai Open is sure to receive a top drawer entry, and indeed world number one Nicol David, from Malaysia, is already a confirmed entry,” added Shelley.

The WISPA event leads a festival that also features a $25,000 PSA event and will be immediately followed by the Chennai Open Doubles from 8-11 March, boasting a $15,000 prize fund.

Olympic 2016 Postcard Pledge Competition Ends

squashbug — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:30:00 +0000

The Coveted Stash. Congratulations to the winners!

Leading up to World Squash Day—Squash Stars celebrated Squash for the 2016 Olympics by hosting a Facebook Group Competiton where our members could visually support Squash’s initiative in bidding to become an Olympic sport. These winning postcard pledges were then decided by all our group members through a democratic voting process.

Thanks for participating everyone! Here’s hoping for the best in our presentation to the International Olympic Council, next week!

*fingers crossed*

HERE ARE THE WINNERS!

(Click on thumbnails to see the full-sized image)

Suvanya's winning entry: The winner of the coveted Nicol David Autographed Squash Ball with the highest votes is Ms. Suvanya Sukumaran who will be going crazy with dental hygiene for Squash. "I pledge to brush my teeth with 100 different toothbrushes till it sparkles!" We are looking forward to the video, Suvanya!

Mei Ling's artistic entry: Ms Mei Ling, won with the 2nd highest amount of votes artistically illustrated her pledge—"If Squash makes it to the Olympics in 2016, I pledge to shave my head bald, leaving a few strands of hair for the words....Squash in Olympics 2016!". What a brave pledge, we hope you're loving your prize—a Squash Stars Tee!

Generous Reygan: Reygan Indran, in his pledge, has generously offered to sponsor any budding squash talent with a set of Squash equipment and gear. In his words, "If Squash makes it to the Olympics in 2016, I pledge that I will....be more than happy to sponsor one set of squash game kit and gear for any kids who have tremendous interest in this sport to help build up his/her talent." So get training kids! Reygan may be contacted at our FB group.

A cute pledge by Jecynda: Jecynda Ong in her endearing doodle, pledges to work her tush off to make it to the Squash Olympic Squad in 2016. "If Squash make it to the Olympic in 2016, I pledge to be one of the player." This pledge was followed by a little chuckling... "hiak hiak hiak". Nice work, Jecynda and congratulations! (Hey, maybe Reygan should sponsor her?:)

Nicol David Autographed Squash Ball

squashbug — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:29:00 +0000

YOU CAN WIN THIS.
Submit your Postcard Pledge today!

Only 1 Lucky Winner.

Squash to make massive push for 2016 Olympics

squashbug — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:37:00 +0000

TheStar, Malaysia. Thursday May 14, 2009

PETALING JAYA: The world squash fraternity, including powerhouse Malaysia, is out to make a final push to get the sport included in the 2016 Olympic Games.

A grand celebration worldwide has been planned to kick off their massive promotional campaign by marking May 23 as “Squash for 2016 Day”.

The Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) president, Datuk A. Sani Karim, said that it would be a show of massive support from all their member nations on this special day to promote the sport and to assist in the bid for the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics.

World No. 1 Nicol David and top men’s players, including Ong Beng Hee and Mohd Azlan Iskandar, will also join the campaign.

Sani said that there would be worldwide festival of activities, including a national level celebration with a motorcade procession of 16 cars, beginning at the birthplace of squash in the country — the Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur.

Sani said that all the affiliates had responded well to host more than 50 activities in their countries.

“Squash for 2016 Day is to high profile the sport in all countries by showing that we care passionately about the game being part of the Olympics,” he said at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

“We hope to take this passion further by raising funds to support the bid process.”

Sani added that all funds raised would be passed to the World Squash Federation (WSF) to aid the bid committee.

He was optimistic that their efforts would succeed when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decide on the two new sports for the 2016 Games at their congress in Copenhagen in October.

Squash is one of the seven sports trying to get into the programme. The others are baseball, golf, karate, rugby 7s, roller speedskating and softball.

THE NICOL DAVID AUCTION, SQUASH FOR 2016!

squashbug — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:49:00 +0000

PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL GO TO THE SQUASH FOR 2016 FUND.

Kindly note that all items come readily framed.

Postcard Pledge Competition

squashbug — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:19:00 +0000

“IF SQUASH MAKES IT TO THE OLYMPICS IN 2016, I PLEDGE TO…”
Design a pledge postcard with a picture depicting what you will do.
(Above is a sample postcard by ME!)

Let’s rally together and show the International Olympic Council that Squash means business! WE WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE OLYMPICS THIS TIME ROUND!

So here’s how we’re gonna do it!
Design a pledge postcard with a picture depicting what you will do. (Preview some samples by all of us in the photo section) The postcard with the highest votes wins!

What to include:
1. “IF SQUASH MAKES IT TO THE OLYMPICS IN 2016, I PLEDGE TO [insert your pledge here]“
2. Name
3. Age
4. Squash Title (optional)
5. Country

You will be judged on:
1. The most daring, bold and creative statement
2. Visual creativity

DO NOTS!
1. Do not pledge to kill anyone … or anything
2. Do not pledge to hurt anyone … or anything
3. Do not pledge on behalf of anyone

You may only pledge ONCE. Winners will be voted by the public!
Click “like” on your favorite postcard pledge!

Where to submit?
1. Submit on Facebook! Click here to see the page.
2. Post your postcard up in the photo section (click on “Add Photos”)
3. If you’re not sure, ask around in the Squash Stars Forum!

PRIZES:
1. The top prize is an Autographed Squash Ball by Nicol David
3. The other 3 favourite entries will be given a Squash Stars Tee!

HOW TO WIN:
1. Postcard with most votes will win.
2. Vote by clicking “like” on for your favorite postcard!

COMPETITION CLOSES: 7 June 2009
Winner will be contacted via their Facebook account by a Squash Star Admin.

TIPS:
Some of us designed our postcards using Powerpoint! TRY IT!

Just for fun, and prizes aside—what about pledging on video? You can even sing about it! Let’s keep the momentum going for the Olympic games bid in October 2009. Have fun guys!

SQUASH 2016 OLYMPIC PLEDGE POSTCARD COMPETITION

squashbug — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:19:00 +0000

“IF SQUASH MAKES IT TO THE OLYMPICS IN 2016, I PLEDGE TO…”
Design a pledge postcard with a picture depicting what you will do.
(Here’s a sample postcard by ME!)