WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Bermuda Open To Be Launched In 2004

Bermuda will provide an idyllic setting for world class squash next year when the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association hosts The Bermuda Open 2004 from 15-20 March.  The event, presented by Logic and HP, will attract a star-studded line-up of the world's top professional players and has been fully sanctioned by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) as a five-star tournament.

Tournament Director Ross Triffitt enthused:  "Even at this early stage the world's leading players have shown great interest in participating in the 16-man tournament, with 11 places going to the world's best, one place being reserved as a wild card entry, and an additional four places chosen from the 16-man qualifying tournament."

The Tournament will be televised with a potential viewing audience of 375 million through Fox Sports and other sports networks.

Bermuda has been hosting international squash tournaments since 1969 and claims to have hosted the first "softball" tournament ever held on the western side of the Atlantic, but the 2004 Bermuda Open is far more ambitious than any of the Island's previous ventures.  Although the qualifying matches will be held at the BSRA's Devonshire courts, the main tournament will take place in the tiny capital city of Hamilton on a specially-imported all-glass court, together with theatre-style seating. 

In addition to the PSA five-star tournament, a host of other activities will be available to the international visitor.  The professional men's event will run concurrently with an amateur tournament, the Bermuda Open Graded Championships.  This tournament will provide players of all standards from all over the world the opportunity to compete in the event.  Prior to the squash competition, coaching clinics by world champion coaches Mike Way and Shaun Moxham will be available for players wanting to improve their game.  The physical activities will be accompanied by Bermuda's famous hospitality with many social activities on offer throughout the event

"This is a major event for the small Island of Bermuda, with a total population of just under 65,000, located 700 miles off the eastern coast of the US," Triffitt added.  "Bermuda is one of the world's premier tourist destinations, with its magnificent pink beaches, pastel coloured houses and snow white roofs (despite snow being unheard of on this Island paradise!), numerous golf courses, and its long history as a British colony.  Hamilton is a thriving centre for International business, and believe it or not, well dressed businessmen do walk the streets wearing Bermuda shorts."

2003 has been a banner year for squash in Bermuda, with the Bermuda Men's Team sweeping all before them in the recent Caribbean Squash Championships.  The team was unbeaten in team competition, and both of the finalists in the men's singles were from Bermuda. 

An event of this magnitude would be impossible without generous local and international sponsorship.  BSRA President Stephen Young commented:  "We have been very fortunate indeed to have secured sufficient sponsorship to guarantee the event thanks to the support of presenting sponsors Logic and Hewlett Packard, Endurance as host sponsor and additional sponsorship from our primary sponsors, Bermuda Department of Tourism and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

"We are looking forward to an exciting tournament and have plans to expose our own youngsters and our local community to squash at the highest level."

PSA Chief Executive Gawain Briars added:  "After initial soundings through PSA President Mark Chaloner, David Palmer and Shaun Moxham, I am delighted that Bermuda has taken the brave step of promoting a new five star PSA tournament, the Bermuda Open, in March 2004.

"The event organiser, Ross Triffitt, and his team on the island have applied themselves in the most professional manner in relation to their forward planning for the event; and I am confident that they will deliver a first class major new addition to the growing PSA world tour.

"Whilst the famous island's attractions are obvious to all, this will be a first for them in bringing PSA's top guns to compete for world ranking points, and I am sure Bermuda's industry and commitment will be well rewarded when our players demonstrate that it is only in PSA events that the requirement for 100% effort in competition is a must.

"PSA thanks Ross and the Bermuda Squash Rackets Association, together with their President Stephen Young, for this commitment and we also gratefully acknowledge the support provided at this early stage of their presenting sponsors Logic and Hewlett Packard as well host sponsor Endurance, together with the Bermuda Department of Tourism and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess."