WSA: Suzie appointed USA Tour Director

By Alan Thatcher

March 28, 2013 - 10:46am

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Suzie Pierrepont in action

New WSA Tour Director For North America

The WSA World Tour are pleased to announce that former WSA player Suzie Pierrepont will take up a new role within the WSA as North American Tour Director.

Back in February, U.S. Squash announced that this year’s US Open would be the first World Series event in squash to hold equal prize money for both WSA and PSA tournaments, and in accordance to the positive work undertaken in the US to promote the women’s game, the WSA have created a position to emphasise the importance of the sport’s growth in North America.

Kevin Klipstein CEO of U.S. Squash has praised the WSA in their dedication to expanding American events.  He said: “The WSA has made very solid progress in the last few years in developing events in the US.  We’re pleased they have moved to support their growth with a staff member who will roll up her sleeves to help promoters deliver a great entertainment product.

“The players are outstanding in what they do and in their level of professionalism.  Suzie has a solid grasp of the scene in the US so she will be a great partner in working together to build up the number and size of the WSA events in the US.”

Pierrepont, former world No.25 from Sussex, England, said of her appointment:  “Women’s squash has been well supported in North America for a long time now and as a player I always enjoyed playing here. The growth of the WSA in this part of the world has made this role necessary and I look forward to working with US Squash and Squash Canada to continue its development.”

Now residing in Greenwich, New York, Pierrepont will be involved behind the scenes with tournament organisation and promotion in the North American continent, and continue to develop the WSA World Tour brand as an entertaining, successful and marketable organisation.

Acting Chairman and CEO of the WSA World Tour, Ingrid Lofdahl-Benzer has spoken of her delight at another positive announcement for women’s squash.  She said: “We have really seen the WSA turn a corner in recent times, and I believe that is reflected in the outstanding growth as evidenced in both Asia and America.  Prize-money has been increasing for WSA events for a few years now, and to strike parity with men’s U.S. Open competition is just one of a long line of positive steps in women’s sport.

“We at the WSA recognises the potential that an increasing American market can offer women’s squash.  We hope that a specifically tailored role to manage our interests in this part of the world will prove hugely beneficial to our continued aim of expanding the Tour.”