April 9, 2009
By Shawn Patton

Late last week the Professional Squash Association initiated a process (of sorts) to invite tenders for TV & Internet Rights.

A bid document was circulated to a small number of preselected companies inviting bids for these rights with "initial written proposals no later than Friday 8th May 2009."

As someone who cares deeply about squash and its future, I have deep concerns with the process undertaken to attract, evaluate and select potential TV & Internet partners.  My hope was with this scrutiny (open e-mail below) and with tangible suggestions provided, they would be motivated to do the right thing and make the Invitation for Tender process more open, transparent and professional.

Only after the PSA has made very clear they have no intention of making any changes to the Invitation to Tender process have I made this regrettable step of going public and again using the Squash360 platform to raise issues and questions to in some small way improve the future of a sport I love.

By Shawn Patton
Originally Published January 2008

What role has squash played in your life?   Better health ... lifelong friendships ... comraderie ... networking ...

Listed below are a couple ideas for strengthening your Squash Karma?   

Help us add to the list by sending an e-mail or by adding a Comment with your deas or suggestions on ways to "give back" to the sport. 

By Shawn Patton

I have written extensively and most directly of the need to reform and improve the composition and functioning of the PSA Board and management processes including the Op/Ed pieces Top 10 Reasons Why Some PSA Board Members Should Step Down and PSA CEO Search - An Opportunity Deliberately Slipping Away.

Opinion/Editorial
By Shawn Patton

Much focus, attention and hope will be directed on Manchester in the days ahead.  Squash enthusiasts will of course be following the efforts of their respective squash heroes as they compete in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships.  The action off-court will be no less important. 

By Shawn Patton
Based on Commentary by Rod Love
From Globe and Mail

With apologies to Archimedes I had my own Eureka moment, not in the bath but rather at Starbucks the other day. 

While enjoying my cup of java and a respite from clients and the trials and tribulations in stock and credit markets, I was reading an Opinion article by Rod Love in the Globe & Mail when my epithany or eureka moment hit.  

By Passant Rabie
From Egypt Today

Quiet laughter, hushed chatter and the occasional ringing of a cell phone were the only sounds filling the VIP hall of Cairo International Airport on October 20, just after midnight. But just a few seconds later, Ramy Ashour stepped off his five-hour flight from the United Kingdom and turned the quiet terminal into a chaotic flurry of press, family and rowdy friends, all vying for a moment with the champion squash player.

By Shawn Patton
Originally Published June 2008

This past summer my wife and I took our 2 young children to an outdoor miniature railroad. 

Prior to our visit (and my poking my nose around the place and asking a few questions) I had no idea that the railroad is operated by a non-profit society and staffed almost entirely by volunteers. I am not just talking about a volunteer board either.  From the cashier, conductor, engineer, mechanics, gift shop to the groundkeepers .... everyone was a volunteer obviously passionate and committed to the trains.  The enthusiasm and energy these folks exuded was truly something.

What has this to do with squash you might ask?  

Views and News about Squash
By Ryan Barnett
From www.squashtalk.com

JEAN DELIERRE - A PASSION BECOMES A COMMITMENT TO HIS SPORT

Nov 25, 2003  Sometimes a person just has to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective. The problems facing professional squash are widely known and have been well documented. The interaction between players and referees, lack of financial resources, and failure to get squash included within the Olympic games have all been beaten to death by the media. Yet what are the results?

Many thanks as always
SB at www.squashblog.co.uk

The first World Squash Championships held in England for over twenty years were an opportunity for the sport to showcase its finest talent and provide a spectacle that would indisputably warrant Olympic inclusion.

But how did the event measure up ? ...

Courtesy of Eric Williams
From Seattle Squash League

1. Protect your eye sight.
2. Required by US Squash to participate our sanctioned league

By Shawn Patton

We invite to check out the video and share your opinions, ideas, perspectives by adding a Comment below.  

After watching the video, do you feel there are any "lessons" to be learned and applied ... Pro or Con for our sport, administrators, on-site and sponsorship marketing efforts, etc?  

How does this video promote squash beyond simply being a sporting event?   Perspectives from existing or potential future sponsors?  Do existing Tour stops invest in such a marketing tool for their respective events?