US Squash and PSA team up on US Pro Squash Series

January 26, 2013 - 5:24am
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Last year’s Motor City Open champion Ong Beng Hee and this year’s top seed Mohamed El Shorbagy

US Squash & PSA Launch US Pro Squash Series Joint Venture

26 January 2013

From HOWARD HARDING

US Squash and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) have joined in partnership to launch the US Pro Squash Series (www.usprosquashseries.com). The primary goal of the series is to serve as a marketing umbrella for US men’s professional tournaments and to increase the awareness of squash through the professional game.

The PSA has a strong tradition of success in the US with more than 25 states from coast-to-coast having embraced the world class athletes in their communities by hosting PSA tournaments. These events, even excluding the three PSA World Seriesevents held in the US, have offered total prize money exceeding $200,000 in each of the last three years.

“The series will serve as a great way for us to collaborate with local communities in promoting the game, and will more clearly connect their efforts to the rest of the squash world,” said Conor O’Malley, the US Squash Director of Events and initiative leader. “By working together, we will increase each promoter’s or host club’s ability to market squash and their events, as well as leverage the strengths of US Squash.

“We also plan to support the tournament operations of each event as much as possible to provide the most positive fan experience possible. We’re looking forward to establishing a similar collaborative effort with the Women’s Squash Association in growing their tour in the US,” added O’Malley.

The US Pro Squash Series includes events ranging from $5,000 to $70,000 in prize money, at which players will earn points towards their US Pro Squash Series Ranking. The top three ranked players based on the end-of-year Series Rankings will be eligible to earn additional Bonus Prize Money.

“We are delighted to be announcing this partnership with US Squash on what we believe will be an exciting and new initiative,” commentated Lee Beachill, Chief Operating Officer of PSA. “US Squash are doing some great work to raise the profile of squash within the US, the junior and college participation is very healthy and we feel the addition of the US Pro Squash Series will further enhance the profile of our sport.

“Our promoters will benefit from the infrastructure already in place at US Squash, including marketing, PR, logistics, event collateral, etc, as well as the support already provided by PSA,” Beachill said.

This exciting initiative, formally kicking off at the PSA International 70 Motor City Open presented by The Suburban Collection at the Birmingham Athletic Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, taking place from 26-29 January, will help to raise the overall profile of each event and the participating players throughout the country with the collaborative marketing support of US Squash and PSA.

About the PSA:
The Professional Squash Association, which promotes the interests of men’s squash globally, currently has 500 members from more than 60 countries. The 2012 PSA World Tour featured over 100 tournaments in 40 nations spread across all five continents, boasting a prize fund of $3 million.

About U.S. Squash:
U.S. Squash is the national governing body and membership organization for the sport of squash in the United States and is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. U.S. Squash owns and operates tournaments including the United States and North American Opens as well as all other United States National Championships. U.S. Squash also selects and manages the U.S. National Teams that compete internationally, maintains the official ratings and rankings system for the U.S., and invests in programs to grow participation in the sport at every level.

U.S. Squash’s vision is for all people to have the opportunity to enhance their health and well-being through the sport of squash. U.S. Squash’s mission is to enhance people’s health and well-being by increasing participation in squash, to enrich the experiences of our members of all ages, and to build awareness of the sport, valuing excellence, professionalism and fiscal responsibility.

For all the latest Tour news: www.psaworldtour.com

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