Anticipation, Reaction and Hope - Voices from the Squash Community

Squash360 Feature
By Shawn Patton

We have assembled a range of comments from a number of squash stakeholders concerning recent changes to the PSA management structure ... specifically the "election" of Board Member Richard Bramall and the selection of Richard Graham as Chief Executive Officer.

Please note: The individuals below were not asked to comment on the appointment of Alex Gough to the role of Chief Operating Officer (more on this issue in an article to follow).

Chris Walker

Retired PSA Player, Former PSA Board Member
US National Squash Team Coach
I think that diversifying and expanding the board of the PSA is a great idea.... giving the association more and different perspectives from top business men is only going to help the cause. The fact that Richard is so involved and passionate about the game really makes it an exciting proposition. I hope this will be another move that will continue to strengthen the PSA and grow the game at the professional level. As an ex-board member myself, I wish Richard well in his new position.

Squash Writer
Name Witheld Upon Request
It would be amazing if it was not someone from Yorkshire.
I would hope it was a marketing person, not a squash guy.

Ross Triffit
Squash Promoter
It's excellent to hear that there were so many applicants for the position and with over 30 people seriously considered it bodes very well for the quality of the successful applicant. From what I have seen of Richard Graham's CV, he has the type of credentials that the key stakeholders of our sport were looking for. Someone with a strong knowledge of sports marketing that has the experience of working with a variety of higher profile sports. He brings a wealth of experience of what works in other sports and can hopefully translate that to Squash. I believe he has already identified some important areas of growth in his initial comments. I welcome his appointment to the position and look forward to having the opportunity to work with him.

John Nimick
Squash Promoter
Event Engine
I look forward to meeting Mr. Graham and have high hopes that his professional background will serve well in creating an increasingly rewarding future for professional squash players and other global stakeholders in the sport.

Jean De Lierre
TV Producer, Telimage Productions
www.squashlive.com
The men's Professional squash tour is just a few strategic decisions away from exponential growth, and who better to determine what those decisions will be than an expert in marketing and sponsorships – the man just appointed by the PSA to lead its destiny as CEO for the next few years. I take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Graham for his appointment wishing him the best of success in this great enterprise.

David Carr
McWil Courtwall
I am thrilled to note the priority the PSA Board placed on experience in the world of sports marketing in the criteria for choosing the new CEO. Sports marketing has become a sophisticated world in the last 30 years and in order for squash to succeed we need to both know that world and be able to play by 21st century sports marketing rules. In a sense, we have been trying to mold sponsors to the squash template (demographic, breadth of play worldwide, high-calorie-burn, etc.) but now perhaps we can figure out how to mold squash to the modern sports marketing template. All of us who love the game would despair seeing its core characteristics muddied, but certainly there are steps to be taken that will strengthen the game without unduly compromising its core attraction.

I am a little concerned that the PSA appears firmly committed to being a "British" institution, but the right person can come from anywhere and there is no reason that the appointee could not be that person. It would be interesting to know how the 30 candidates broke down by nationality, and what nationalities were represented in the last 8.

As a company that has been pushing to enhance public perception and awareness of the game through our portable glass courts, and as someone who has been supporting and promoting expanded use of video tools to showcase the game, I am particularly keen to learn from the new CEO and hope to have a chance to meet him sooner than later.

A squash promoter
Name Witheld Upon Request
I have heard about some of the people who applied for the position and am pleased to know that there has been such a strong level of interest.

Squash in general as you know seems to be on the verge of something and with the PSA playing in my opinion at least, quite an important role, I think it is obviously very important as an global organization that they look to bring in someone who has all the relevent qualities and experience to help drive them on to the next level of success and beyond over the next decade.

I think there are a number of issues that need to be addressed and am sure will be given time by the new CEO. The Board is made up of an intelligent group of guys and if they can work together cohesively with some new blood and strong leadership then we will I am sure see some very good ideas and iniatiatives come to fruition over the next year.

The Squash Blogger
www.squashblog.co.uk
The PSA finally appointed a new Chief Executive. And the outlook for men's squash looks immediately bright, with the panel eshewing the appointment of someone within the game and going for - as squashblogger previously suggested - an experienced sports marketeer ...

Another Squash Promoter
Name Withheld Upon Request
Looks good to me, but the jury is out. I hope he shares everyone else's passion and vision for the sport. I look forward to hearing his ideas. I will reserve judgment until I have the opportunity to work with him. I'd like to have a better understanding of what attracted him to the position and why he left Parallel Media Group.