17-Jun-02
WSPA CONFLICT BETWEEN MAURS AND BRYANT
THE World Squash Professionals Association appears to be in some kind of disarray just a few weeks after attempting to establish itself as a rival organisation to the PSA. Conflicting reports emerged yesterday from America, where Andre Maur first reported to the squash community that acting Chief Executive Officer Michael Bryant was no longer involved in the organisation. This was followed by a press release from Bryant claiming that he had dismissed Maur and his wife Danielle from the association.

Bryant claimed that there could be a possible conflict of interest, with the Maurs acting as tournament promoters, running the proposed WSPA Tour, as well as holding powerful seats on the WSPA board. He copied an email to the Maurs to the Grapevine, saying: "I was saddened to learn today that you have been sending notices to members of the squash community that I am no longer involved in the WSPA. I was disappointed that you never responded to my suggestion that we work "together but separate", with you vying for the Tour rights for WSPA . I was also disappointed that you never indicated why you felt running the tour (for profit) while on the Board and in management of the WSPA would not be a conflict ... and why you and Danielle both serving in Board or Management positions would not be perceived as a conflict.

"I have corrected your mis-information campaign regarding my status with the WSPA, and have dismissed you from any involvement with the Association. I would be interested in and willing to end the battle before it turns into a war ... by offering support to the idea that you would be a great candidate to run a Tour affiliated by the WSPA. You would be back to your original goal ... and I could move on with the business of squash and serving the professional players. Let's call a truce, and focus on squash ... rather than fall into the petty politics that the PSA has so often been immersed in."

This was followed by Bryant issuing the following press release: "The World Professional Squash Association regrets to announce the release of the husband-wife duo, Andre and Danielle Maur, from the possibility of serving in any Board or management affiliations with the Association. While their contributions of time and inspiration to the early planning stages of WSPA are greatly appreciated, their desire and insistence to serve in the dual capacities as governing officers of WSPA, while at the same time desiring to profit personally from roles as WSPA Tournament Directors, runs completely contrary to the principles upon which the Association was created. No conflicts of interest, real or perceived, will be tolerated within the WSPA.

"The administration of WSPA sanctioned tournaments, at the local, regional, national, and international levels, will be determined through a transparent process of competitive bidding. No member of WSPA’s Board of Directors or management team will be permitted to participate in the bidding competition for any for-profit endeavour of WSPA during their tenure on the Board or in management.

"By releasing Andre and Danielle Maur from their prospective roles at WSPA in the organizations formative stages, we are leaving open the possibility of their participation in the tournament bidding process, thus allowing them to pursue their original goal of directing professional squash tournaments. We wish them success in this endeavour."