GRAPEVINE OFFERS RESCUE PLAN AS BRITISH OPEN FUTURE IS AGAIN IN DOUBT
There is considerable speculation in the game about the immediate and
long-term prospects of the British Open. The world’s oldest and most
prestigious tournament is once again in danger of falling off the calendar
unless another last-ditch rescue plan can be mounted successfully.
As someone who has been involved in helping to keep the event alive three times
during the past five years I think it is an absolute tragedy for the game to see
such a once-great tournament lurch from one crisis to another.
However, I am relieved to see the emergence of a number of loyal enthusiasts who
are willing to take on the responsibility of safeguarding the event’s future.
One of them is WISPA Director Andrew Shelley, who managed many a successful Open
during his long career with the former SRA. He has contacted Nick Rider, the new
England Squash chief executive, to offer WISPA’s support in taking on part of
the responsibility of managing the tournament.
Andrew said: “We don’t want to see the tournament decline or fall entirely
and I am happy to offer our help in any way. Looking at the history of the game,
many individuals’ squash careers are defined by how many world or British
Opens they have won. It is a benchmark of success and one that we cannot allow
to disappear without a fight.
”The National Squash Centre would be available we are sure, and the Manchester
City Council, who own it, are keen to attract major sports events there and
would offer encouragement. We may not be able to secure enough sponsorship for
an enormous prize fund but we are willing to stick our neck out in the belief
that we can find enough to make it happen.”
I too have written to Nick Rider requesting a meeting to discuss a number of
ideas of mine which I feel would secure this year’s British Open and safeguard
the event’s future. I would certainly be happy to work with a man of Andrew
Shelley’s experience and calibre to not only rescue the event but put in place
a number of key marketing and promotional strategies that would return the Open
to its rightful place as the world’s greatest tournament.
I look forward to hearing from England Squash ...
report from TheSquashPlayer