WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Squash Gets Down On The Beach In New Event In Brighton

A major new tournament on the international squash calendar, the Brighton and Hove Beach Classic, will be launched in the UK by Squash247 this summer.

The spectacular event will take place on the Sussex town's seafront below the world-famous De Vere Grand Hotel from 03-07 August.  The $23,000 PSA Tour event for men, and $15,000 WISPA World Tour tournament for women, will be contested on the all-glass court housed in a marquee on the beach.

Preceding the event will be a 50-hour charity squash marathon for Childline and Asthma UK by co-promoter Mark Bellinger.

The Brighton and Hove Beach Classic will be hosted by the De Vere Grand Hotel and Brighton and Hove City Council, with Butlins the Associate Sponsors and PowerPlay Sports the event retailers.

Squash247 founder Alan Thatcher said:  "We are delighted to be bringing world-class squash to Brighton and Hove, especially as Mark and I are both from Sussex.  The beach will be a fantastic venue and is sure to create a tremendous atmosphere throughout the tournament.

"We have received enormous support from Brighton and Hove City Council and look forward to working in partnership with them to build this tournament into one of the major events on the world calendar in years to come," Thatcher added.

"Having a household name like Butlins as one of our Associate Sponsors is extremely pleasing and again we look forward to developing a relationship with them that will last for many years."

Gawain Briars, Chief Executive of the PSA, added:   "We are delighted to welcome another top class squash event in England.  The innovative style which promoters Alan Thatcher and Mark Bellinger are bringing to the event will be a positive move for squash in the UK."

WISPA Executive Director Andrew Shelley echoed Briars' upbeat sentiments:  "Any event that brings squash to the wider public has to be great news."

PowerPlay Sports, who are developing the Squash247 online shop, will be the official merchandising retailers.

Full details are available on the tournament website: www.squashonthebeach.com