WSA Partners with NextSquash, Pierrepont Steps Down by Howard Harding
WSA President Kasey Brown
4 February 2014
- The Women's Squash Association (WSA) has reached an agreement with
NextSquash to provide support to the association at both strategic and
operational level.
The appointment of
NextSquash, which is led by former Dutch champion Tommy Berden, is the
first major decision of the entirely new WSA Board, which was installed
last month at the association's AGM in New York during the J.P. Morgan
Tournament of Champions.
Australia's world No11
Kasey Brown, the newly-elected WSA President, explains the appointment
of NextSquash as WSA's new partner: "Our members have asked for quite
some time now to get Tommy and his company involved. They have proven
to be successful promoters and are highly respected by the players and
fellow organisers."
WSA's Chairman Latasha
Khan added: "NextSquash has a wealth of squash knowledge and an
extensive network within the global squash community. They know how to
run events at all levels and can contribute a great deal to our
association. We are excited to work with them as we continue the WSA
vision to Inspire; Empower; and Entertain while strengthening our tour."
NextSquash has an
extensive and proven track record in event management. Amongst many PSA
and WSA events, the Dutch-based company was responsible for the
execution of the Women's World Open 2009 in Amsterdam and the
highly-successful combined Men's & Women's World Opens 2011 in the
spectacular New Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam.
"We are looking
forward to working with WSA," said 34-year-old Berden. "The women's
game has improved tremendously over the past decade and I've
experienced first hand as a promoter that the girls are well-received
wherever they compete. We have always been committed to grow the sport
and I am very upbeat about the opportunity to work with the current WSA
crew to secure an even better future for women's professional squash."
Further changes are in
store for WSA as Suzie Pierrepont has decided to step down from her
roles as North American Tour Director and Acting Tour Director.
Pierrepont has held the position since April 2013, was on the Board of
Directors at WSA from 2009 to 2013, and achieved a career-high world
ranking of 25.
Brown commented: "The
Board is saddened with the news of Suzie's departure. Her achievements
in establishing a strong tour calendar for WSA is a reflection of her
passion and commitment towards women's squash and everyone at WSA is so
appreciative of the time and effort she has put in. We wish her all the
best for her future endeavours."
Despite the changes,
stability is maintained at WSA with Kim Creamer continuing her duties
as COO, and Elliot Selby as WSA administrator.
The new WSA Board,
which also includes world No2 Laura Massaro (England), world No9 Jenny
Duncalf (England), Ashley Bernhard (USA), Nathan Dugan (USA) and
Marjolein Houtsma (Netherlands), will map out its strategy for the
future in the upcoming weeks - further details of which will be
announced in due course.
