PSA World Series Squash Finals Graphics

The ATCO PSA World Series Squash Finals takes place January 2011 and I'm giving a big thumbs up to the group responsible for the graphics. Hopefully this is just a teaser and there's more to come.

I don't have confirmation but a little detective work makes me believe that Fleishman Hilliard Public Relations is responsible for branding of this tournament and the one page website with the trippy purple video.

Anyone know what the "Z-Court" is that they mention? Wouldn't it be cool if it was the squash court equivalent of the "Z-Pool Table"? Throw some extra corners in there to hide the drop shots?

First one to send me a photo of the "Z-Court" wins a Squash Republic t-shirt.

UPDATE: Squash Zag has pointed out that Fleishman Hilliard is the public relations firm for the ATCO PSA WSSF while Greenspace is the design firm behind the branding. Check out the work they did for the 2009 edition. Nice.

Taking it to the streets: Squash that is.

Click on the image on the left to check out this hilarious video of French prankster/comedian Rémi Gaillard playing squash in a phone booth. Check out his site: www.nimportequi.com. Thanks to Nicola for the link:)

Squash 360 talked about doing this a while back and I think it's time to take squash to the streets of Vancouver. Pacific Centre mall? How about a few "No lets" at the The Bloedel Conservatory! Conduct warnings at the Wall Centre!

Send us some ideas and if we use them in our video we'll send you something cool. Promise.

Squash Shortlisted for 2020 Olympics? Yah so?

Here we go again.

You may have heard that our game has been shortlisted for the 2020 Olympics but did you hear the real reason we didn't get in last time? Mr. Ramachandran, president of the World Squash Federation, was quoted as saying that Rugby Sevens beat us out previously because, at that time, the "IOC was going through a bad phase because of recession in Europe and they needed additional revenue. Thus, rugby was included." Hmmm. So it wasn't because of poor ball visibility or the perceived impropriety of players arguing with referees? It was about the money? Duh.

(As an aside, the NBA has instituted a new policy meant to curtail complaining by players because, according to Commissioner David Stern, "that's not a good thing.")

The IOC hasn't decided where the 2020 Olympics are going to be held yet as they're still hyping the 2012 games in London, but I'm loathe to start getting excited so soon. Instead, I'm going to look forward to World Squash Day because it's only 10 days, not 8 years, away!

David and Matthew win Commonwealth Gold in squash!

Congratulations to Nicol David for her 3-0 (40 min) win over Jenny Duncalf and to Nick Matthew for his 3-0 (66 min) win over James Willstrop.

Check out the coverage at www.squash.me.uk/cgames  and Squash Stars.com
Photo: www.cwgsquash.com

Oh no! Alana, say it isn't so!

Read the whole story here.

Oh no! Razik, say it isn't so!

 

Read the whole story here.

From the Archives: Michael Desaulniers for Athlete's World

When I first saw this four page advertising insert I thought "Here's a rare glimpse into that locker room of old!" Although my club has a co-ed steam room, the days of the "co-ed" locker room are past. (It seems that I missed everything by taking up squash so late:)

What I didn't realize was that it wasn't just the groovy camaraderie of 80's squash that I was missing, it was the fact that at one time sports stores actually catered to squash players! This advert is for "Athlete's World" (a Canadian sporting good store that's still around) and it harkens back to a day when sporting good stores were a better place to go to find squash racquets and shoes than Canadian Tire. Now I bet most of you buy your racquets online. (Ed note > Shameless plug: I sell Manta racquets:)

The other thing I didn't realize about this advert was that it featured an ex number 1 in the world hardball squash player who also happens to be Canadian: Michael Desaulniers. It turns out that I've played doubles with his brother! Six degrees of cool!

If you don't know about Michael, or you think that Jonathon Power was our first squash superstar, you really need to read this 2004 article by Rob Dinerman at SquashTalk. Dood, he beat Sharif Khan when Khan was on the top of his game!

If you know anything about Michael Desaulniers please consider adding to his Wikipedia page which is a little light on content.

Another cool aspect of this historical document is the appearance of the WSPA logo. I said "WSPA" not "WISPA":) A precursor of the PSA, the World Squash Players Association never made it to the internet (Go ahead, Google them.) Classic logo though.

Got any info on the WPSA? Contact me.