13-Jan-03
NICOL LAUNCHES PLANS
FOR ENGLISH OPEN
At a press conference today World no.1 squash player
Peter Nicol announced the imminent arrival of a major new international
sporting event in the city of Sheffield. In August 2003 the inaugural
English Open Squash Championship will take place in the unusual setting of
the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Representing his company, Eventis
Sports Marketing Ltd, Nicol also announced that both Prince and the
Sheffield Hilton hotel had signed up as sponsors of the now titled
Prince English Open Squash Championships.
Nicol, the world's premier squash player for over 6 years outlined how the
event would fit into the world's squash calendar, kicking off the the
2003/4 season in style. Current British Open champion, Nicol described how
the venue, its Yorkshire location and the backing of quality sponsors will
all help to make first year a great success.
'We believe that these ingredients along with the overwhelming support
that has already been evident from the squash community and the city of
Sheffield will enable us to make this a permanent fixture on the squash
scene.
The
Crucible Theatre is primarily a producing theatre but is known
worldwide as a sporting venue through it's
hosting of the World Snooker Championships in May of each year. To date
this has been the only sporting event held there but in August of this
year that will change. An all glass court will be erected on the famous
stage.
With its unique two-way viewing film it
allows spectators to watch through any of the four walls. This court and
the lay-out of the theatre itself, with it's minimalist spacious
design and unique thrust stage, lend itself
to be a natural platform on which to showcase a major squash championship.
The Prince English Open will attract the very best players from all over
the world to compete for the prize money and ranking points on offer. As a
4 Star event on the Professional Squash Association's World Tour, it will
be one of the top 10 events in the world this year. This ensures a high
quality field with the obvious guaranteed participation of World no.1 Nicol.
On introducing the two sponsor's Nicol said "both Prince and
the Hilton
are highly recognised international brands, synonymous with quality and we
are delighted that they have made the decision to back this exciting
venture." Prince, who were represented by Managing Director of Prince UK,
Bob Johnson, at the launch will be the official title sponsor, while the
Hilton Sheffield, represented by Martin Robinson, will be the official
tournament hotel for event.
Johnson outlined Prince's commitment to the sport of squash and their
belief in the team's ability to put on a truly world class event.
"We have
been involved in squash mainly through sponsorship of players, and have
known this group for many years, so when they came to us with this vision
of an event at the Crucible Theatre, we had little hesitation in pledging
our support. It will be the first time that Prince has been involved as a
title sponsor of a major squash event but we are confident that through Eventis' knowledge, experience and enthusiasm it will be a resounding
success and one that can be built upon in future years."
Also at the press conference was Tim Garner, who, along with fellow
director of Eventis Sports Marketing Ltd Angus Kirkland, will act as
tournament director of the Prince English Open. Both have extensive
experience in running squash events, with Kirkland a former tournament
director of the US Open Squash Championships and Garner currently
overseeing the British tournament circuit, the Prince Grand Prix.
Garner went on to explain the format of the event. "Yorkshire is the
heartland of squash in the UK, so we felt it vital to keep the local clubs
involved in the event. For this reason the qualifying will take place at
Hallamshire and Abbeydale Squash Clubs giving access for squash
enthusiasts in the area, before moving to the Crucible Theatre for the
main rounds from 13th August, with the final taking place on Sunday 17th
August."
Nicol was in Sheffield not only to launch the event with Garner, but also
to take on local rising star Nick Matthew on his home courts at
Hallamshire, once again allowing the people whose support is tantamount to
the success of the event the opportunity to see the worlds best player in
action.
