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07/06/2007
WISPA SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR

'Historic Opportunity For South American Squash'

WISPA Tour Provides 'Historic Opportunity For
South American Squash'

Picture Selection from
South American Tour

Reports
Argentina
Uruguay
Chile
 



Argentina
A four-day visit to Buenos Aires by three of the biggest names in world squash was described as an 'historic opportunity for South American squash' by South American Squash Federation President Claudio Fontanazzi.

 

 

The visit was part of a 12-day tour of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay organised by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) - led by Malaysia's world champion and world number one Nicol David, Australia's world number three Rachael Grinham, and Sarah Fitz-Gerald, the record five-times world champion, also from Australia.

 

 

The annual tour, the ninth since 1999, is the latest initiative in WISPA’s continuing drive to promote women's squash around the world.

 

 

The climax of the trip was a dramatic exhibition match witnessed by a packed crowd at the city's Olimpia Cancilleria club, in which former world number one Rachael Grinham recovered from match-ball down to beat Tour rival Nicol David.

 

As well as exhibition matches and challenges against many of the host country's top players, the WISPA stars also staged a number of interactive clinics with the Argentinean women's national squad on the eve of the players' participation in the South American Championships in Colombia.

 

 

"Our players have not only had the chance to see some of the world's best players in action, but also learn from them in other ways too, by talking to them as well as being on court with them," explained Fontanazzi.

 

 

"The WISPA Tour has provided an invaluable promotional opportunity for the sport here - I am sure we will be feeling the benefits for many years to come. This has been a historic opportunity for squash in South America," concluded the sport's regional president.

 

 

The Olimpia Cancilleria crowd also saw Rachael Grinham take on the country's top junior Gonzalo Miranda, the reigning Pan-American Junior champion, and Nicol David challenge Argentinean No1 Matias Valenzuela, the world No 243 from Mar del Plata.

 

 

"She is so accurate," said Valenzuela of his opponent. "Naturally, as a man, I am stronger than Nicol, but she is so fast around the court."

 

 

Midway through the late-night match, the two players were asked to move from the main showcourt onto an adjacent court. "The other side of the front wall is the bedroom of a private house, and our neighbour complains that he cannot sleep when squash is being played on that court - so we agree not to use that court after 10.00pm!" explained a club spokesman.

 

 

Opened in 1982 and situated in central Buenos Aires, the Olimpia Cancilleria boasts five squash courts as well as a racquetball court. Like most squash venues in the country, the club is a public facility, which does not require membership.

 

 

"It is wonderful for our players to see top internationals here in Buenos Aires," said Guillermo Kesztembaun, the Argentina national coach since 1993. "The only experience they have of international squash is at the South American Championships and the Pan-American championships.

 

 

"The legacy of this visit will be the vision of how good these WISPA players are, and what a great sport squash is."

 

 

Kesztembaun expects his national team to finish in the top four in the regional championships in Colombia. "If not, I will kill myself," joked the passionate squash enthusiast who has squash logos tattooed on his calf and shoulder!

 

 

Nicol David played promising junior Antonella Falcione, a 16-year-old from Mar del Plata who is both the Argentinean Junior champion and Pan-American junior champion: "Antonella has the potential to do well in the sport," said David, the former record two-times world junior champion. "She will need to get funding but she is very keen and I am sure she will train hard to achieve her goal."

 

 

In addition to the Olimpia Cancilleria club, the WISPA trio also played at the Circulo de Armas club and The Squash Club, the oldest club in Buenos Aires, founded in 1929.

 

 

"This was a gift for our eyes," exclaimed Circulo de Armas club President Jorge Otamendi after David and Grinham showed off their squash prowess.

 

 

Founded in 1929, The Squash Club was modelled on British gentlemen's clubs of the period, and much of the club's original documentation is in English. However, the club was forced to 're-brand' itself as simply 'Squash Club' during the Falklands conflict 25 years ago, when all English references were forbidden!

 

 

Sarah Fitz-Gerald endeared herself to the packed and wildly enthusiastic club members who took time off to witness the trio's lunch-time appearance at the club - taking on, and beating, both the club's former champion Alejandro "Pulga" Dominguez and current champion Duncan Jub, a Scottish-born Argentinean who is also a polo player.

 

 

'Sarah, Sarah, Sarah …..' shouted the crowd as they revelled in their icons being suitably punished!

 

 

"That was fantastic," said an exhausted Dominguez after his battle with Fitz-Gerald. "Jonathon Power was also here - he is my friend. When he finished, he gave me his racquet, and I always keep it in my bag - but never use it," said the popular club player, recalling the Canadian's visit in 1999 to celebrate the club's 70th anniversary.

 

 

Club captain Diego Gallardo admitted that women are traditionally only invited to the club once a year, at Christmas. "We may have to make that tradition two times a year after today!"

 

 

At a press conference at the Olimpia club, the Argentina Squash Association President Ricardo Roude expressed his gratitude to the WISPA Party: "We feel we owe you something for coming here - it will stimulate our younger players to improve their squash and help them follow the example of your great players.

 

 

"We are a third world country with third world budgets. But we have heart and hope one day we will show the results of this visit," added Roude.

 

 

TV cameras filmed the players answering a variety of questions about the WISPA Tour, their training regimes, how they became involved with squash, their Olympic hopes for the sport, etc. Features, including photographs of the WISPA stars in action, are expected to be seen in the nation's press in the coming days.

 

 

Andrew Shelley was delighted with the welcome that the Buenos Aires visit received: "We have received a terrific reception and have laid the foundation for strong relationships," said the WISPA Chief Executive.

 

 

"There are wonderfully enthusiastic people here who are passionate about the women's game. A fledgling local women's circuit, embracing beginners and club players alike, is already in place - and we must look at ways to encourage its growth."

 

 

Sarah Fitz-Gerald, one of the most successful women's squash players of all-time, was also encouraged by the future of the sport in Argentina: "They play their squash here like they play their football - with passion, enthusiasm and flair!"

 

Pictures

Nicol David with 16-year-old Antonella Falcione

Sarah Fitz-Gerald (right) coaching a small group at the Olimpia Cancilleria club in Buenos Aires

Sarah Fitz-Gerald with The Squash Club opponent Alejandro "Pulga" Dominguez

Nicol David (left) and Rachael Grinham take time off to test out their horse-riding skills at the La Plegaria ranch near Buenos Aires

WISPA stars Nicol David (left) and Rachael Grinham pictured at the Circulo de Armas club with club President Jorge Otamendi (centre) and committee member Martin Guerrico (right) and Olimpia Cancilleria club coach Fabian Ceciliano (left)

Sarah Fitz-Gerald, Nicol David and Rachael Grinham pictured at The Squash Club with (L to R) club captain Diego Gallardo; committee member Jose Del Campo; Secretary Horatio Resta; and committee member Martin Guerrico

Rachael Grinham, Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Nicol David (front, L to R) pictured with (rear, L to R) Diego Etchechoury, South American Squash Federation; Claudio Fontanazzi, President of the South American Squash Federation; and Ricardo Roude, President of the Argentina Squash Association

Nicol David and Rachael Grinham line up with top Argentinean players (L to R) Belen Etchechoury, Luz Etchechoury, Cecilio Abarca, Fernanda Rocha and Antonella Falcione
Uruguay  

 

 

Warm Welcome Greets WISPA Stars In Uruguay

 

The smallest country in South America provided the warmest of welcomes for Nicol David, Rachael Grinham and Sarah Fitz-Gerald when the WISPA stars visited Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, on the third leg of their promotional tour of South America.

 

David, the world number one and reigning world champion from Malaysia, has been joined by Australians Rachael Grinham and Sarah Fitz-Gerald, the world No3 and record five-times world champion, respectively, on the ninth annual promotional expedition organised by the Women's International Squash Players' Association.

 

The tour to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile is the latest initiative in WISPA’s continuing drive to promote women's squash around the world.

 

Uruguay has a population of just three million, half of whom live in the capital Montevideo.

 

Within an hour of arriving in Montevideo, the WISPA party were welcomed at Club Carrasco, a club in the upmarket Carrasco district of the city, whose courts were built in 1972.  Club President Paul Bragard is a leading squash figure in the country, after winning the national crown eight times since 1974 and, in 1985, becoming the first Uruguayan to win the South American title.

 

A packed crowd was captivated by an exhibition match between Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Rachael Grinham, before Nicol David faced a challenge from the President's son Jean Paul Bragard, the champion of Uruguay since 2000.

 

"It was incredible to play Nicol," said the exhausted 25-year-old after the best-of-three battle.  "She is not only a wonderful player, but also a wonderful person.  She made me play my best squash, using all my tricks!

 

"She's like a spider - getting to all corners of the court so fast!  I had to play as hard as I could.  This was one of my best squash experiences ever.  I will remember it for the rest of my life!" said the younger Bragard.

 

After a sight-seeing tour of Montevideo, the WISPA girls visited the British Schools of Montevideo Old Boys and Old Girls Club.  Uruguay's first squash courts were built in 1945 at the then Old Boys Club in downtown Montevideo.  The clubs recently merged and, in October last year, opened a new two-court complex on the grounds of the long-established school which boasts more than 1,000 pupils.

 

"For our club, this is the perfect moment," said club captain Gabriel Arancibia.  "We couldn't think of a better way of introducing squash to our new combined membership - not just old boys and old girls, of course, but pupils at the school too.

 

"We hope that the crowds that the WISPA trio attracted will show just what a great sport squash is for women," added Arancibia.

 

A four-year stint in England as a history teacher introduced Paula Greco to squash - and she returned to her home town as Uruguay's only female player!

 

"Squash is not a very popular sport in Uruguay, and certainly not among women.  To have the opportunity to see the best female squash players in the world play in Montevideo has been absolutely fantastic," explained the undisputed Uruguayan number one.

 

"Hopefully this tour will encourage more Uruguayan girls and women to get into the courts and have a go at such an amazing game.  It won't be easy to break with the tradition of seeing squash as a sport only for men, but I believe the WISPA tour has been the first step towards this direction."

 

The two-day visit to Uruguay attracted widespread national media coverage in newspapers including El Pais, El Observador and La Republica;  the magazine 17 Deportes; the radio station Concierto FM; and the TV channel Canal 10.

 

"It's hard for squash in this country as the mentality is much more geared to team sports, like rugby and football, than individual sports," concluded Paul Bragard, who has taken on the role as President of the fledgling Uruguayan Squash Association. 

 

"But the WISPA visit has definitely given squash a major boost here - with unprecedented media coverage for the sport.  I'm sure that the squash community here will be talking about this event for a long time."

 

Sarah Fitz-Gerald summed up the WISPA girls' enjoyment of the Montevideo visit:  "The hospitality we received was out of this world," said one of the sport's greatest players of all-time.  "For such a small squash community, they really treated us royally - we will remember this with great fondness!"

 

From Uruguay, the WISPA party move onto the fourth and final leg of the Tour in the Chile capital Santiago.

 

The WISPA Promotional Tour concept was launched in 1999 with a visit to the Czech Republic.  Successive years featured trips to Jamaica, El Salvador, Peru, Kenya, Thailand, Brunei, Sarawak, Russia, China, Nepal, Jordan, Turkey and, last year, to Estonia and Norway.

 

 

Chile

WISPA Tour Provides Media Breakthrough In Chile

 

Widespread media interest, including national TV exposure for squash for the first time, was one of the key benefits that Nicol David, Rachael Grinham and Sarah Fitz-Gerald brought to Chile when the trio of WISPA world number ones visited capital Santiago on the fourth and final leg of their promotional tour of South America.

 

David, the world number one and reigning world champion from Malaysia, was joined by Australians Rachael Grinham and Sarah Fitz-Gerald, the current world No3 and record five-times world champion, respectively, on the ninth annual promotional expedition organised by the Women's International Squash Players' Association.

 

The tour to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile is the latest initiative in WISPA’s continuing drive to promote women's squash around the world.

 

A comprehensive programme, including clinics with youngsters, exhibition matches and press conferences, had been arranged by hosts the Chilean Squash Federation.

 

A hoard of enthusiasts – mostly children – greeted the WISPA party on arrival at the Go-Fitness & Spa club, an impressive multi-sport facility over seven floors which houses three glass-backed squash courts and four racquetball courts.

 

Whilst youngsters provided the distinctive flavour of the Santiago visit, other more experienced players were also eager to take advantage of the WISPA stars’ presence – including former tennis player Loreto Barriga, a ten-times Chile women’s national squash champion who also boasts South American titles in both squash and racquetball; reigning women’s national champion Ana Marie Pinto; current world No4 racquetball player Angela Grisar; and Chilean hero Jaime Pinto, a long-time national champion who now coaches both squash and tennis at the club founded by his famous father, Davis Cup tennis player Jaime Pinto (snr).

 

Such was the interest generated by the WISPA visit that a large group of youngsters from Concepcion – Chile’s second largest city, some 600km south of Santiago – joined the action at Go-Fitness.  Aged between 7 and 17, the group braved the six-hour journey to soak up the experience of meeting and learning from the world squash stars.

 

“We have built the largest junior group in Chile, so we couldn’t resist this incredible experience to come to Santiago and take part in this visit,” said team leader Andrea Salgado, the Profesora Educacion Fisica at the Estadio Espanol in Chiguayante.  “The kids have been talking of nothing else for the past few weeks – this is a unique opportunity to meet and learn from world-class players.”

 

Estadio Espanol is a multi-sport club boasting more than 1,000 members, offering football, basketball, pelota vasca, tennis and squash.  “The club really believes in squash – they feel that investing in squash is vital, and have helped fund this trip to Santiago,” explained Salgado.

 

Now 34, Loreto Barriga is winding down her incredible sporting career while working full-time in sport for the Santiago municipality.  But matches against all three of the WISPA stars have rekindled her interest in the sport:  “This has inspired me to take up squash again more seriously - I’m going to make a comeback!”

 

Angela Grisar was unable to resist a squash challenge from Nicol David – then debated the relative merits of the two sports with the two-times world squash champion from Malaysia afterwards.  “Squash is a more friendly sport for women than racquetball,” said the top Pan-American racquetball player.

 

“I play squash because it helps my strategy – you rely too much on power in my sport.  And your sport is more endurance-orientated – I would say squash is like the 800 metres, whereas racquetball is more like the 100 metres race!” explained Grisar.

 

The enthusiasm of the Chilean juniors was something to behold:  Courts were never left empty for more than a few seconds before a clutch of youngsters burst through the door eager to hit a few more balls – often led by eight-year-old Oren Brunman

 

“I’ve seen this kind of enthusiasm before,” said Sarah Fitz-Gerald.  “But never in the short gap between games during a match!  Their keenness for squash is quite remarkable.”

 

The future of Chilean squash seems to be in good hands – particularly if three notable juniors continue to advance.  Jonathan Stark, 14, and Carlos Vergara, also 14, are the second and third top juniors in the country – but 15-year-old Rafael Allendes, son of Federation Vice President Rafael Allendes (snr), is ranked one at U17 and U19.

 

Rachael Grinham was particularly impressed with the left-hander:  “He would do well in Egypt, for sure,” said the former world number one from Australia, who is based in Cairo.

 

Allendes has already competed in junior tournaments around South America and won his first overseas title at the Virginia Junior U17 Open in the USA in January.  At the end of this year he plans to take part in the Scottish and British Junior Opens for the first time.

 

“It’s fantastic to play with people like Sarah, Rachael and Nicol,” said the teenager.  “I love squash and would like to play full-time.”

 

A press conference at Go-Fitness attracted significant interest, with journalists probing the WISPA stars about their lives on the World Tour, and their opinions of the local players they’d seen.

 

“We’ve all travelled all over the world and seen players – men and women - from numerous different countries,” explained Sarah Fitz-Gerald.  “But there aren’t many from South America, so hopefully our visit to this region will inspire more players – especially the girls - to get better and join the international circuit. 

 

Nicol David added:  “We’ve been very impressed with the standard of the players we’ve seen here.  And it’s been a real eye-opener to see the numbers of people that have come along to watch us, especially the kids.”

 

The result of the conference and general interest in the visit created an avalanche of media coverage, including newspapers El Mercurio, La Hora, La Nacion, Publimetro and La Tercera; El Grafico magazine; W radio; numerous Chilean sports websites; and TV channels 13, 19 and 22.

 

“This is a real breakthrough for us – squash has never been featured on national TV before,” said Federation President Patricio Lira.

 

The climax of the Go-Fitness visit was an exhibition match between Nicol David and Jaime Pinto – a clash which attracted a standing-room only crowd. 

 

“It’s hard competing against women – it’s like playing against your ex-girlfriend!” explained Pinto.  “It’s a great pity that I only play matches as tough as this about once every two months – so I don’t have the chance to get into a rhythm.

 

“But it’s so exciting to see so many people here for the squash.  It will help us reach our goal – which is to have crowds like this all the time.”

 

Later, the WISPA party visited the Estadio Israelita Maccabi club in Santiago, featuring two brand new glass-backed courts with extensive galleries – where, again, numerous children joined the capacity crowd to watch the squash action before getting autographs of the WISPA stars.

 

One of the highlights of the visit was a match between Nicol David and former Chilean international and PSA player Marcelo Kaplun.  Now working in the Chilean sports industry, Kaplun was no match for the nimble David – despite his 194cm frame towering over the petite 163cm Malaysian!

 

The action-packed two-day final leg in Chile brought the 2007 WISPA Promotional Tour to South America to a fitting climax, with all parties agreeing that the legacy would be significant.

 

“It’s been a real honour to have you here.  We have been looking forward to this for many months - we are so glad you came to see us,” said Federation Director Luis Parra.   “It’s been a hugely motivational experience for us – and squash in Chile will certainly benefit greatly from the visit.

 

“The motivation for kids will rocket – and even Loreto, who hasn’t played seriously for two years, has told me ‘I’m coming back’!  The impact of your visit is just out of this world.”

 

Jorge Csaszar, Squash President of the Israelita club, added:  “It is this kind of promotion that will help squash grow in Chile.”

 

Sarah Fitz-Gerald was most motivated by the enthusiasm of the youngsters over the two days:  “I really connected with those kids.  And even though some didn’t speak much English, and my Spanish is virtually non-existent, squash just broke all the language barriers!”

 

Nicol David added:  “This tour overall was an experience of a life time.  I would never imagine being in four different cities in South America and getting such a warm welcome from the people.  We made a lot of good friends, ate plenty of their amazing food, enjoyed the sights of the city and played lots of squash with many squash enthusiasts.

 

“Even though we had such a short time in each of these places, we got a sense of how they can develop to become bigger squash nations in the future.  I feel fortunate to have been part of it all – and perhaps played a part in making squash better known in South America.  Muchos Gracias!!!”

 

Rachael Grinham was also enthused by the juniors:  “I was really impressed by the numbers of juniors in Chile.  With the enthusiasm and obvious potential of these youngsters, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few Chilean players on the professional circuit in the next 5-10 years.

 

“Overall it was a great experience for me, my first (but hopefully not last) trip to South America.  Hopefully our presence can help raise the interest and profile of squash in these countries and in turn bring the WISPA Tour to South America in the near future.”

 

WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley had the final word:  "These have been new experiences for the WISPA group and while Argentina, Uruguay, and now Chile, have all been very different in character, there has been one constant ….. everywhere, the sheer enthusiasm for squash, the vitality of the people, and the eagerness of the people to make the sport grow, has been so rewarding.

 

"Countries that could not possibly mount an event featuring top players have now had the chance for their squash communities to sample the highest level in the world and, most importantly, to focus a media spotlight on squash.

 

"Fortunately, WISPA is blessed with stars who will give up their time both free and freely, as well as donations to cover the international costs, and hosts stepping up to the plate when we are with them.  It is a great mix that will help develop real long-term partnerships for WISPA with the nations," concluded Shelley.

 

The WISPA Promotional Tour concept was launched in 1999 with a visit to the Czech Republic.  Successive years featured trips to Jamaica, El Salvador, Peru, Kenya, Thailand, Brunei, Sarawak, Russia, China, Nepal, Jordan, Turkey and, last year, to Estonia and Norway.