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First Word - Casserole |
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By Alan Thatcher
Contributing Editor
SQUASH, SQUASH, SQUASH, I'M FED UP WITH B----Y SQUASH
Most people in the world have a simple solution for finding information: Google it.
Not only do I use the search engine on a regular basis, I also receive daily Google Alerts to keep me up to speed with squash news as it breaks all over the world.
Sadly, for every article on squash the racket sport, I must receive two dozen recipes for butternut squash, squash zucchini, butternut squash stew with rosemary, Tex-Mex squash, fire-roasted summer squash pizza, spaghetti squash with spicy braised greens, raisins and pine nuts, squash and tomato spaghetti, squash casserole, squash fritters, baced acorn squash, squash rollatini (?), herbed summer squash and potato torte, plus a million recipes for what to do with left-over squash.
I could go on. And on. But I am sure you get the picture. Not only does it drive me bonkers as all these useless emails fill up my inbox, it also presents a very real image issue for our favourite sport.
If we are coming a very bad second to a common vegetable in the popularity stakes, especially in the USA (which is commonly regarded as a major growth area for squash) then maybe it's time we looked at a favourite hobby-horse of mine: changing the name of our sport.
You may think I'm kidding, but for once I'm deadly serious.
I have some ideas which I am currently keeping a closely guarded secret until the appropriate time to bring them into the public domain, but please feel free to email me your thoughts if you wish to join the debate. Or should I just squash the idea?
Read Previous Issues of The First Word
A Defining Moment for Squash
A Love That Never Dies
Every Racket Tells a Story
Squash Phrases & Jargon
Why Honesty is Always the Best Policy
THE FIRST WORD - Sword
About the Author: Alan Thatcher is a journalist, event promoter and TV commentator. Alan joins Squash360.com as Contributing Editor. Come back each Monday as Alan offers his unique insight into the sport. In the weeks and months ahead Alan will interview key figures in the game and share plenty of stories from down the years.
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