Thursday 26 June 2008

Have your say before the survey closes!

There's just a handful of days left to take part in England Squash's online survey.

Have your say on the future of the game - and win a prize ...

The aim of the survey is "to improve the way (England Squash) deliver services for Squash and Racketball, support our members, and serve players, fans and competitors in the wider Squash and Racketball communities."

Those that enter have the chance to win more than 50 prizes for both individuals and clubs/facilities, including VIP Tickets, coaching sessions from some of the greats in the game, rackets, apparel and balls.

The survey will be closing the survey on June 30, 2008, so click on the link below now!

Take the survey

Read more ...

Tuesday 10 June 2008

Court watch: Finsbury Leisure Centre

The squash court building at Finsbury Leisure CentreThe results of a consultation about the future of Finsbury Leisure Centre (and the squash courts therein) has been published by Islington Council.

Though over 50% of respondents rated squash provision at the Centre as "very important" or "quite important", the future existence of the courts appears far from secure ...

No final decisions about the future of the squash courts have yet been made by the council, though it appears that the majority public view is that the leisure centre should be demolished and replaced with a more modern building and better facilities.

It appears that whatever is decided, the courts have an extra layer of legal protection due to the fact that the council does not own the building which houses the courts - this is leased from a housing association.

However ... :

"It is (therefore) proposed that Council approve the provision of a quantum of housing not exceeding a footprint of 435 square metres. This is significantly lower than both options presented in the consultation and is equivalent in size to the footprint occupied by the current squash courts."

It is not clear whether this housing will replace the courts, and there will be a further consultation on the scope of the development as a whole at the design stage, which:

" ... should try to accommodate as many of the facilities highlighted by the public as possible, in the order of priority given by the consultation responses."

To my knowledge there is no offically registered squash club based at Finsbury, though the courts are well used and there is an active, competitive public squash ladder based there. However, I have heard that the current administrator of this ladder wishes to relinquish responsibility and a replacement is yet to be found.

The original consultation can be viewed here:

http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/LeisureandCulture/Pdf/ironmonger_row_consultation.pdf

And here are the results of the consultation can be seen here:

http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/CouncilandDemocracy/Pdf/iron_monger_row_baths_consult_results.pdf
http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/CouncilandDemocracy/Pdf/irb_flc_consultation_report.pdf

Other courts closing or at risk

See my articles on this site about:

The Chase Squash Club, Leicester
Morley Leisure Centre
Harrow Squash Club

Read more ...

Wednesday 4 June 2008

Major squash and racketball survey

England Squash survey graphicEngland Squash is holding an online survey about its future - and there's some great prizes for those who can spare 5-10 minutes to participate ...

The aim of the survey is "to improve the way (England Squash) deliver services for Squash and Racketball, support our members, and serve players, fans and competitors in the wider Squash and Racketball communities."

Those that enter have the chance to win more than 50 prizes for both individuals and clubs/facilities, including VIP Tickets, coaching sessions from some of the greats in the game, rackets, apparel and balls.

The survey will be closing the survey on June 30, 2008, so click on the link below now!

Take the survey

Read more ...

Tuesday 3 June 2008

PSA appoints new CEO

Squash courtThe PSA finally appointed a new Chief Executive yesterday.

And the outlook for men's squash looks immediately bright, with the panel eshewing the appointment of someone within the game and going for - as squashblogger previously suggested - an experienced sports marketeer ...

The new man is Richard Graham, former Chief Operating Officer of the Parallel Media Group plc, who has worked with a number of sports federations, including the Lawn Tennis Association, the Lipton International Players Championships in Miami and British Equestrian Promotions.

Since leaving PMG earlier this year, Graham has worked as an independent sponsorship agent to a variety of rights holders, including Birmingham City FC, Honda F1 Racing, SnowsportGB and the English Open Golf Championship.

It was good to see that the interview panel included people involved in the game but able to give an objective voice, such as Ziad Al-Turki, Vice Chairman of the ATCO Group and former World Champion and promoter Peter Nicol.

There's lots of discussion on squashblog.co.uk about media coverage of squash, and it was also heartening to read that Graham list this as one of his priorities:

"I believe that squash has a strong base from which the Tour, the PSA's commercial partnerships and the sport's media coverage can each be developed. It is in these three areas that I hope to focus my energy from the outset."

We wish Mr Graham every success in his new role.

Read the full press release about the appointment.

Read more ...