By Tommy Berden
Next Events
Next Events have launched a new pro circuit as a lead-up to the Forexx Women's World Open Squash 2009, which will take place next year in Amsterdam from 20-27 September (Squash360 EXTRA with Tommy at bottom).
The Forexx Pro Tour Squash 2008-2009 will consist of 10 professional tournaments, all counting towards the World Rankings. The theme of the new circuit will be 'The Road to the Forexx Women's World Open'.
The Forexx Pro Tour gives the Dutch men the chance to earn wildcards for next year's Dutch Open, while the women will be competing to earn main draw and qualifying places for the official individual World Championships for women in 2009.
The Forexx Pro Tour Ranking will determine the best Dutch players in the Forexx Pro Tour Squash 2008-2009. The points earned for this (internal) ranking will be based upon the World Ranking points that the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women's International Squash Players Association (WISPA) use. Players have to compete in at least half of the tournaments in the Forexx Pro Tour to be eligible for the available wildcards and hold Dutch nationality.
 "We have launched the Forexx Pro Tour Squash 2008-2009 to provide the national top players with an opportunity to earn valuable points to climb up the World Rankings with the added bonus of competing for wildcards for the Worlds (women) or the Dutch Open (men)." said promoter Tommy Berden. "On top of that it ensures a long lead-up to the Forexx Women's World Open Squash 2009, which gives us multiple chances to promote this major event."
The first tournament of the new pro circuit will be the Forexx Dutch Open Squash 2008, which begins on September 2nd in the renowned Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam. This WISPA Gold championship and PSA 3 star event will be followed a few weeks later by the Pepsi Enschede Open Squash 2008 for the women (26-28 September) and the Turnstone Tilburg Trophy 2008 for the men (3-5 October).
EXTRA
With Tommy Berden
The Netherlands is already a hot bed of International professional players choosing to train in your country, this seems like another initative to support Dutch players in improving their skills and gaining experience?
The top guys and girls have established themselves already, we want to help the younger group to climb up the rankings. That’s why we keep the prize money levels low, so many Dutch players can earn World Ranking points.
We're trying to support the Dutch players ranked outside the top-30 (women) and top-60 (men) and to provide them with a sound base to play squash fulltime. They get to play multiple PSA tournaments, gaining ranking points, a bit of prize money and more importantly valuable experience. It will definitely help them in their quest to become better players.
You have some terrific sponsors, was the "Pro Tour" approach of a package events beneficial in attracting these companies?
Combining the events definitely helps attracting companies to sponsor the tour overall, but every tournament also has their ‘own’ set of local/regional sponsors. We are very happy with the support of many different companies.
Forexx again seems to seeing value in sponsoring squash becoming Title sponsor of the Tour, tell us about their support and your relationship with them.
Forexx, a technology recruitment agency, is a great sponsor of Dutch squash. They got involved last year as title sponsor of a small PSA event in Valkenswaard and were very happy with the exposure they got in return. The Forexx Dutch Open 2007 was a great success and so they decided to renew their support for 2 more years, including the Dutch Open this year, the Forexx Pro Tour and the Forexx Women’s World Open. The people playing squash in the Netherlands (highly educated, 25-45 years, dominantly male) are exactly the ones they want to get in contact with. On top of that they are growing, just like our sport is over here, so I believe it is a perfect match. And so do they!
Calendar Forexx Pro Tour Squash 2008-2009
Forexx Dutch Open 2008 | 02-07 September 2008 | Frans Otten Stadion, Amsterdam | PSA & WISPA
Pepsi Enschede Open 2008 | 26-28 September 2008 | Twentehallen, Enschede | WISPA
Turnstone Tilburg Trophy 2008 | 03-05 October 2008 | Pelikaan Tilburg, Tilburg | PSA
Q-sourcing Rotterdam Open 2008 | 07-09 November 2008 | Victoria Squash, Rotterdam | PSA
KEAN Delft Open 2008 | 28-30 November 2008 | Squash Delft, Delft | PSA
Flower Bulb Open 2008 | 12-14 December 2008 | Squash Hillegom, Hillegom | WISPA
Squash-Heroes Meersquash Open 2009 | 16-18 January 2009 | Meersquash, Hoofddorp | PSA & WISPA
SquashTime Eindhoven Open 2009 | 13-15 March 2009 | SquashTime, Eindhoven | WISPA
Eurosafe Solutions Zwolle Open 2009 | 08-10 May 2009 | Squash Zwolle, Zwolle | WISPA
Hemubo Squash Trophy 2009 | 29-31 May 2009 | Squash Almere, Almere | PSA
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