Pro Squash Tour Launches Legal Action to Stop Player Ban

I think this is now the fourth chapter in the saga between the Pro Squash Tour and Professional Squash Association.

Yesterday, the Pro Squash Tour filed a lawsuit in the state of New York.  Named in the suit are the Professional Squash Association, Event Engine and John Nimick.  The court document can be viewed here: PST Lawsuit vs. PSA, Event Engine, Nimick

Not sure if the players had legal fees in mind when they submitted their annual PSA registration fees or players tax during their last tournament, but given the decisions of their management and Board they now find themselves a party to a lawsuit in the litigious states of America.

As always, it will be interesting to see how these issues play out in the squash community.

Petition to Stop Ban, Precedent Limiting Players Participation in Non-PSA Events

Another chapter in the saga of PST vs. PSA.  A petition has been posted online to collect “signatures” and comments.

Preamble:
On October 14, 2010, the management of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) without warning announced, effective immediately that it was banning its members from playing in Pro Squash Tour tournaments.

This change affects professional players as well as fans and supporters of the sport. This petition is intended to garner the support of all squash enthusiasts who oppose this ban.

The goal of this petition is to encourage the PSA to lift the ban. This change in policy would allow thousands of dollars of expected prize money to be rightfully earned by PST players as well as encourage the growth of squash in the United States.

Petition:

We, the undersigned players, fans and supporters of the Professional Squash Association (PSA), are opposed to the PSA’s recent ban prohibiting PSA members from participating in the Pro Squash Tour (PST).

This decision will prevent U.S.-based squash professionals from earning thousands of dollars in prize money. Additionally, the ban sets an alarming precedent regarding PSA’s control over how players earn money outside of PSA-sanctioned events. We also believe this ban will inhibit growth of pro and amateur squash in the United States.

We request that the PSA immediately rescind its decision.

Sign the Petition HERE

PSA Bans Players from Playing Pro Tour Events

Looks like the brain trust at the PSA has drawn its line in the sand concerning pro players playing in Pro Squash Tour events.  PSA players “will no longer be permitted to compete in any tour event that is not recognised by the PSA World Tour.”  The official release from the PSA, response from PST, sampling from WWW and COMMENTS follow below.

New PSA Website – The Unauthorized Preview

Was it really October 2009 that the PSA announced a Major Digital Communications Initiative including a “five-year project [that] will see Perform first build a new official site for the PSA by the end of this year.”

Here are some screen captures (slide show below) of the new website.

SQUASH PROFILE – Nick Matthew

Started playing squash at age:  8
Turned Pro: 18
Squash Season Training Base City: Sheffield, England
Squash Season Squash Club: Hallamshire in Sheffield, England
Residence City: Sheffield, England
Marital Status: Single
Pets: None
Education: Went professional after finishing A-levels in 1998
Languages spoken: English (badly), Yorkshire & Spanish (very badly)
Family squash background: Mum and dad both social players. Dad is still a very active player
Racket: Dunlop Aerogel Evolution 120
Shoes: Hi-Tec
Clothing: Stellar
Other Sponsors: Maxim (nutrition/energy products), Benz Bavarian of Duffield (car), Trion-Z
Coach: David Pearson
Training partners: Alister Walker, Adrian Grant, Eddie Charlton & Lewis Walters
League Teams: Hallamshire & Duffield in England and Worms in Germany
Website:  www.nick-matthew.com
 

SQUASH PROFILE – The Squashist

Who
Being an international man of mystery, I simply go by ‘The Squashist’  

Day Job
I’m the head editor of a medical publishing company.

Connection to Squash
A player and fan of long standing, and occasional spouter of ill-advised opinion on my blog

SQUASH PROFILE – Brett Erasmus

Who:  Brett Erasmus

Profession:  Finance

Squash Roles:  Coach, volunteer and fan.

Your Blog: Brett’s Squash Blog

Squash Supporter Peter Bryttne at Meweco

What’s your connection to squash?
I started playing squash when I was about 18-19 years old but at that time I was still a member of the Swedish National Rowing team. Squash was something we did perhaps once or twice a month.

SQUASH PROFILE – Tamas at NO LET! Squash Video Blog

Who  
Tamas – editor of the NO LET! Squash Blog

Day Job
Artist
 
Connection to Squash
Occasional club player

Alex Gough to Give Keynote Address at U.S. SQUASH Annual Assembly

U.S. SQUASH has announced that Alex Gough, the CEO of the Professional Squash Association (PSA), will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 Annual Assembly being held October 1st-2nd, in Chicago, IL. Gough, a native of Wales, was appointed the CEO of the PSA in February of 2009 after a stellar 15 year playing career during which he won 10 tour titles and was ranked as high as #5 in the World.

Riley Named PST Director of Officials

The US based Pro Squash Tour (PST) announced that Michael F. Riley has been named the Director of Officials. Riley will assume this post immediately and serve as a key leader on the PST management team.

“Mike is widely respected by players and peer referees for his knowledge of the game,” said Pro squash Tour Commissioner Joseph McManus. “The game needs more people like Mike. I need him. The tour needs him. And the improvements to the game that we are making will help grow the fan base of squash.”

Mike is a native of Manchester, England. He began playing squash at the age of 18 and has been the Head Squash Pro at Rhode Island Country Club for the past 22 years. He has been one of the top ranked players in his age group for 22 years and also holds the credential of World Squash Federation World Referee.

In this newly created position, Mike will be on site officiating at most tournaments. Additionally, he will be tasked with training new referees and elevating the professionalism of the officials.

“We need to professionalize the position of squash referee. And I look forward to helping this process move forward,” said Riley.

As part of the US based Pro Squash Tour’s commitment to improving the standard of refereeing in squash, all matches will be videotaped and official’s calls will be reviewed. The tour will announce if mistakes were made and provide video clips to help train its officials.

More than 150 years old and played by more than 20 million people in 175 countries, squash has shown sustained growth in the US. in recent years. The US based Pro Squash Tour was founded in 2009 and coordinates a tour with stops across the United States. The season begins in September and runs through April.

Top 5 Squash Videos

Ever wondered what the most viewed squash videos on YouTube were?  Wonder no more, here they are:

1.  SQUASH (REMI GAILLARD)  2,308,974 views
2.  Squash – Power vs Shabana  651,529 views
3.  Squash – Willstrop vs. Matthew  383,099 views
4.  Jonathon Power Trick Shots  350,786 views
5.  SQUASH is WAR  347,823 views

Gregory Gaultier Heads to Manchester for ROWE British Grand Prix

French No1 Gregory Gaultier has confirmed his participation in the ROWE British Grand Prix Squash Championship 2010, to be staged in Manchester, England, from 15-20 September.

Gaultier has fond memories of the spectacular National Squash Centre venue having, in 2007, become the first French winner of the British Open title in the event’s 80-year history. The former World No1 will be keen to mount a determined challenge for the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour Super Series event which will include a star-studded field led by England’s newly-crowned World No1 Nick Matthew.

“I’m really looking forward to the new season and to competing in Manchester,” said the World No5. “It’s always nice to play in Manchester. It’s a great court and atmosphere, and I have no doubts that this year will be a success as always,” added Gaultier.

The ROWE British Grand Prix – Manchester 2010, one of only ten PSA Super Series 2010 events and the only PSA Super Series ranking event to be staged in the UK this year, will be held at the National Squash Centre in Sportcity and establishes Manchester alongside other major squash destinations including New York, New Delhi, Cairo, Canberra, Hong Kong, Kuwait City, Doha and Dammam (Saudi Arabia).

“Gregory Gaultier is without question one of the game’s biggest attractions and his entry is a major boost for everyone involved in delivering this year’s event in Manchester and testament to the highest regard that the players hold for the Championship and we look forward to confirming entries from the other leading players over the coming weeks,” said Paul Walters of event promoters
internationalSPORTgroup.

Tickets for the ROWE British Grand Prix – Manchester 2010 can now be booked online at http://www.isportgroup.com/ticketing or by telephone on 0844 870 0000.