More flattery! (OR did they just steal our logo?)

You have to love the new Google search option which allows you to search using an image rather than a line of descriptive code. How else would we find out that Mongolian Squash is using our logo or that the University of Alberta borrowed our logo for their latest tournament?

Here's some recent discoveries of squash clubs and associations "borrowing" our copyrighted logo.

1) Squash Fundacion C.R. Cantabria and Rioja Squash.

2) Mongolian Squash! On Facebook and their Mongolian Squash Flickr Page!

3) Squash Club Trebic liked our 3D version of our logo SO MUCH they used it on their Facebook page!

4) Aran & Bidgol PSA also took a liking to our 3D logo - anyone read Arabic?

5) Seems that the good folks at Devon & Exeter Squash were sold a logo by their web designer that looked a little similar too. I spoke to these guys and they promised to stop using it. Thanks Adam!

All these examples seem so far from Vancouver, Canada, that you can almost convince yourself that that kind of blatant plagiarism would never happen here. Right? Wrong. While on a squash trip to Phoenix Arizona I stumbled across someone from the University of Alberta wearing this shirt:

NICE!
My last example is my personal favourite: A trophy from the LA Sports Club.

Oh no! Carolyn Russell, say it isn't so!

I just heard that one of my favourite squash players (and favourite people) has retired from the WISPA tour. Carolyn Russell's last pro tournament will be the 2010 Sun & Surf, where she lost in the quarter finals to the eventual winner, and it's only appropriate as Carolyn calls the Jericho Tennis Club her home club. (Read the official Squash Canada press release.)

For those of you who only know Carolyn from reading the information posted about her on WISPA's website she's much more than just 104th in the world AND a National Champion AND a two-time Pan Am Games gold medallist. She may be a 'Pegger but she's a household name and a dominant force in BC squash! She's been ranked the #1 women's players for at least the last two years and holds the current BC Open title.

If you've played squash in BC for a while you may have been privy to one of the most exciting local squash rivalries ever. Carolyn and her 2006 Women's Worlds Championship teammate Melanie Jans have battled countless times in the finals of BC tournaments and created some fantastic memories for this particular fan. (Carolyn, you know I secretly clapped for you all the time:) And who can ever forget "Russell-Vision"? I only mention it about once a week when I'm trying to convince a new player that it's in their best interest to watch their opponent. "Haven't you ever seen Carolyn Russell play? It's like she's got an owl's neck! Watch her poised on the T, with her head turned just so and her eyes on the other player. Always! She's got Russell-Vision dood."

Carolyn, on behalf of all BC squash players, I wish you all the best in the world in your new position at the Multi Sport Centre of Excellence Foundation.

On a personal note, I want to thank you for the time you generously gave me on court. (Remember that 45 minute court time where we managed to play best-of-five MATCHES? Nine straight games. Ouch:) You started me practicing my "figure-eights" and always encouraged me to strive for perfection.

I sincerely hope that you continue to play until I can join you in a real match in Div 1 one day.

Love Robert,
Your biggest secret fan.

Carolyn and her biggest secret fan at the Sun and Surf at the Jericho Tennis Club.

Carolyn and Melanie at a SportCentral exhibition match (2006)

At the 2006 Women's World Team Championships in Edmonton.

(L-R) Alana Miller, Melanie Jans, Carolyn Russell and Runa Reta

Getting ready for a match at the 2007 Nationals.

Zombie Squash Posters

I'm really liking the aesthetics of these two posters I found online. Minimalist colour and seriously graphic graphics:)

The first is from Portugal Squash which just underwent a rebranding by Feel Brand Management. Not sure if Feel is responsible for this particular poster which is for an event being hosted by Varzim Squash.

The Varzim poster reminds me of this event poster I designed in 2009 for the Bentall Athletic Centre's Halloween Open. At the time I remember worrying that blood splatter on a court wall might be pushing things! LOL



















The second one comes from an event put on by the Griff Squash Club in Budapest:

The resolution isn't too hot but that green and blue logo looks familiar for some reason:) Karma?

NAO Squash Pushes it!

The organizers at the 2011 North American Open Squash Championships, which is going on right now have hired some truly talented people to help them advertise their event.

Check out this fab commercial:

And then check out this amazing photo-montage poster designed by creative director Dan Bogosh using images captured by photographer Patricia Lyons.

 

BC Junior squashies are golden.

I'd like to give another big shout out to the boys and girls who traveled to Halifax last week to represent my province in the game that I love. They did us and the game proud:) The girls brought home gold and the boys brought home silver and I couldn't be prouder of them.

Congrats again!

Front row: (L-R) Zachary Leman, "Big" Mac Foster, Tyler Olsen and Michael Thompson.
Back row: (L-R) Assistant coach Rebecca Fouchard Vassilakakis, Nicole Bunyan, Brynn Daniels, Lindsay Seginson, Abbey Foster and head coach Jeff Boag.


(Photographed in front of the Manta Glass Court.)

I heart copy cats.

The original heart shaped logo designed for Valentine's day by Squash Republic.

The ripoff. Used in a poster for Valencia squash. Nice.

The original logo designed by Squash Republic for Squash Canada's 2010 National Championships:

This ripoff is particularly amusing as they spelled "squash" incorrectly. Love that.

A squash player's Christmas wish list

I realize that I'm putting this out a little late but it's a well known fact that squash players are procrastinators: Ask any pro and they'll tell you that everyone signs up for a tournament just before the deadline:) There are still a few shopping days left.

1. Because we like to read when we're not on court: A copy of "Run to the Roar" by the winningest coach in college sports history, Paul Assaiante and James Zug.

Just one of the many great quotes: "Today is the present. They call it the present because it is a gift."

2. One for the boys: The new WISPA calendar:) 'Nuff said. PURCHASE HERE.

3. More reading! How about a subscription to Squash Magazine?


















4. Lessons. And more lessons! Your local squash pro can do wonders for your game and it's about time you realized that your practice-to-games ratio needs to be flipped on it's head if you're ever going to win an "A" tournament. (Okay Pacey?)

5. Some new gear. Style is sometimes more important than substance and your team could probably use some help:) Check out Squash Republic: Their growing catalogue of shirt designs is quickly earning them a reputation as the #1 online clothing store for squash players.

Pictured here wearing the "Drop Shots Not Bombs" design (L-R): Christian Coufal, Birgit Coufal (Austria’s # 1, WISPA ranking 70) and Gerald “Hasi” (which means bunny) Hasslacher (Austrias no 125).






6. For the gamer: Check out the new version of "Racquet Sports" from Ubisoft.

Dood, you can play underwater and you don't have to ask for lets! Nice.









7. Club photo! At our squash club, the Vancouver Racquets Club, we're lucky enough to have a great crew of players playing singles and doubles and a great photographer to help us document it all:)

Photo © 2010 Chad Forbes.













8. A new MANTA racquet!
Available at S.C.R.U. Squash

9. A subscription to SQUASH TV