WORLD SQUASH NEWS

WSF Delegates Ratify Scoring Survey Findings

Delegates attending the World Squash Federation (WSF) Conference and 33rd Annual General Meeting, held during the Men's World Team Championship in Vienna at the end of October, ratified the findings of a worldwide survey on scoring systems used in the sport.

Launched over a year ago by a Task Force headed by WSF Vice-President Joyce Buckley and including representation from the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA), the survey sought to investigate methods of implementing a common scoring system for all singles worldwide; to seek a system which is satisfactory for professional, league, and social play; and to raise the Olympic profile of Squash through a demonstration of harmony and innovation.

Currently the WSF and WISPA maintain 'standard' scoring (i.e. games played to nine points, with points only accrued by the server), whilst the PSA continues to use 'Point-a-Rally' scoring ('PARS') to 15 points per game - a system introduced some 20 years ago principally in response to TV demands.

The broad conclusions of the survey were that more than 90% of all play in the world uses 'standard' scoring; that almost 80% of respondents believed that the same scoring system should be used by all players; and that 45% voted for 'standard' scoring, 42% for 'PARS', and 13% for 'other'.

The WSF members gave a clear message that their primary objective is to ensure that the 15 million grassroots players in the world continue to enjoy the most satisfactory game possible.  It was felt that 'standard' scoring system offers the appropriate length and intensity of game for club players, with 'PARS' making games too short at this level.

Delegates voted overwhelmingly to maintain 'standard' scoring, believing that the 'PARS' system has not achieved the benefits proclaimed at its launch more than two decades ago - and that there is no justification for a switch from the dominant and universally-preferred scoring system.

"Although this might be viewed by some as a victory for tradition and conservatism, it is more a recognition of the fundamental needs and desires of Squash players from their sport, coupled with a belief that the 20-year 'trial' of PARS in the men's pro game has not delivered the benefits predicted," said WSF Chief Executive Ted Wallbutton.  "Many of our members said at the meeting that Squash at club level is the addictive success that it is because of the scoring system and should not be changed."

At the AGM, Russia and Slovenia became full members of the WSF - bringing the Federation's total membership to 122 nations.  The WSF now boasts more members than 18 out of the 35 international federations of sports on the Olympic programme.

The AGM formally ratified acceptance of the World Anti-Doping Code, and also authorised the Federation's Management Committee to finalise an agreement with the two professional bodies, PSA and WISPA, to ensure that the three organisations have a common anti-doping policy.  This followed a presentation at the Conference by Dr Geraldine Barniville, the WSF's Director of the Medical and Sports Science Committee.

Hong Kong made a presentation on the 2003 Women's World Open, to be staged in a spectacular outdoor setting in Kowloon, overlooking the harbour and Hong Kong Island, and gave notice of plans to bid for the event for a further three years.

In a highly-contested bid to host the World Women's Team Championship in 2004, Netherlands narrowly won the rights over Canada.  India's bid to stage the World Doubles Championships in Chennai in 2004 was accepted, and New Zealand won the rights to host the World Junior Men's Championships in Palmerston North in 2006.