Say it with a French Accent ... from Broadgate

10-May-04:
BACK AT BROADGATE
Say it with a French Accent
in the City ...


A lot of memories this place brings back. I met a lot of people last year for the first time: John White, Jean De Lierre, Linda Davie, Alan Thatcher…

Last year, I was there to do a little interview for Squash Player Magazine, and for a report on Planète Squash. And Alan Thatcher also gave me the opportunity to comment on Thierry Lincou’s matches for the broadcast.

So, pretty busy I was, already.

This year? Ouuuuh. 2 players I’ve never met before, Amr Shabana, from Egypt, and Joe Kneipp from Australia. Can’t wait!

Everything is nearly ready.

Tom Maidment
(Press Officer) puts a bit of order in the press room, Charlie and Nick are at the desk, ready to sort out any problems, Jean De Lierre and his “boys” are placing the cables and cameras to capture the magic of the event, Nick Matthew is warming up for his match tonight at 8pm against the 'Boss' (Peter Nicol). Funny really, Nick is here for the first time, and Peter for the 9th time.

Passing the torch do you think?

Naaaaa. Peter is as fit as he ever was, and not going anywhere, dear!

In a very short time, this place will be buzzing with journalists, players, referees (Linda Davie is again the tournament referee this year).

Actually, as we speak, the lady is sorting out a “white front wall” problem.

“Somebody is winding me up, are they? You are about to peel it off or something… White rectangle with white ball????”.

Well, I took the picture, and did it strike me? No!
God, am I blind or something…

Oh well, just a normal day at Broadgate, really….


White Ball ... White Wall ???  Could be trouble!

 

Everyone assembled at the Opening

Broadgate TODAY
for the latest ...


Squash in the City
 

CHEERS
FOR BRIT!

At the opening Press Conference while some of my colleagues were enjoying a lovely glass of Champagne (French, if you please), I had a quick chat with Philip Wolski, the Head of Group Marketing at Brit Insurance, the major sponsor of the event.


Philip Wolski

He was very proud and happy this year, as Brit insurance was shortlisted for the 2004 Sports Industry Award for last year’s Super Series Finals, along with little household names like Stella Artois, MacDonalds and Bank of Scotland for sports like football, cricket, you know, small sports…

It’s wonderful when sponsors and sports get mutual benefit from a sponsorship! Squash is helped by the wonderful support of Brit Insurance, and then Brit Insurance gets a prestigious exposure for their support to the sport of squash.

And everybody is happy, and bless Brit Insurance for their great presence here at the Broadgate!

Meanwhile, Fritz Borchert, the famous photographer, was one of those enjoying Brit's champagne, and he has already told me that the quality of today's pictures might suffer !!

SQUASH IN THE CITY
in the GALLERY

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