WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Record Rally Smashed On World Squash Day

A group of top juniors in Perth, Western Australia, are celebrating after smashing the world record for squash's longest rally.  The landmark was achieved at the World Squash Day celebrations at the Next Generation club at Bibra Lake.

The previous best of 1,533 shots was recorded by the Old Pats Club, in Gloucestershire, England, on World Squash Day last year.  The young Australians raced past that mark by recording 2,067 shots in 51 minutes 34 seconds.

Former world No2 Dean Williams, who lives in Perth, was on hand to watch and later joined a number of players on court for coaching in preparation for another assault on the record next year.

World Squash Day co-founder Alan Thatcher said:  "It was great to see the record broken and the fact that the players who achieved it were on the other side of the planet truly encapsulated the spirit of World Squash Day."

World Squash Day is endorsed by the World Squash Federation (WSF) and this year some massive events took place in 31 countries, including Russia and Poland, most of Scandinavia, and several countries in central and South America.

Another leading squash star to get involved was reigning women's world champion Carol Owens, who played an exhibition match at the Palmerston North club in New Zealand, where several TV and sports celebrities joined in the fun as a host of newcomers were attracted to the sport.

The annual Derek Sword Trophy match was expanded this year to a triangular tournament as London and New York were joined by host side Edinburgh Sports Club.

Despite the New Yorkers fielding young professional Chris Gordon, the US Under-19 champion, London retained the trophy and will be defending the title in the Big Apple next year.