WORLD SQUASH NEWS

WISPA Board Re-Elected At AGM In Doha

All forty members of the Women's International Squash Players' Association who have been competing in the Qatar Airways Challenge in Doha attended the WISPA AGM held alongside the Grand Prix event and re-elected the entire Board unopposed.

The 2004 board will therefore comprise:

Natalie Grainger, President (USA)
Linda Charman, Chairman (England)
Natalie Grinham (Australia)
Shabana Khan (USA)
Susan Morrison (USA)
Pamela Nimmo (Scotland)
Jenny Tranfield (England)

At the meeting, Natalie Grainger reported that the Tour had held up well in a year that had been characterised by international conflict, business uncertainty and unexpected events such as the SARS outbreak.  Despite the exchange rate for the dollar also falling sharply, the accounts had been well-maintained and showed only a small loss.

Immediately following the AGM, at a wide-ranging player meeting, WISPA Director Andrew Shelley outlined a series of linked marketing plans that the Board plan to achieve during 2004, incorporated within a break-even budget.  He also predicted the benefits of improved quality and distribution of WISPA Grand Prix TV programming co-ordinated by Startline TV - made possible by Qatar Airways sponsorship - and led discussions of a number of WISPA Tour aspects.

Shelley also reported that the WISPA Board, which had also met in Doha, plan to reinforce efforts to encourage the World Squash Federation (WSF) to initiate improvements in the quality and consistency of refereeing.  They also want to create a climate that encourages more ex-players to take up officiating.

The Board will also approach the Professional Squash Association (PSA) about the possibility of the two Boards getting together to discuss topics of mutual concern, such as refereeing, possibly linking together more of the "majors" and other matters where a common approach would be helpful.
 
Finally, in closing the meeting, Shelley thanked the whole membership for the way in which they continue to present themselves and represent the sport.  "Recognising the life blood that promoters and sponsors provide, your efforts to support them make a substantial difference to the superb renewal rates of events that WISPA is fortunate to enjoy," Shelley told his members.