Press Releases

August 2007 Int'l Squash comes to B'Stortford......>>>

July 2007 Nick Mathew to play in Festival Event........>>>

June 2007 Local MP Congratulates Club........>>>

May 2007 Bishops Stortford Squash Club........>>>

April 2007 UK Squash Academy........>>>

August 2007 - International Squash comes to B' Stortford

On the eve of the newest and biggest International Squash event to hit Bishop's Stortford Squash Club everything is in place for yet another memorable time.

Having held the British Junior Champs in 2004 and 2006 the team of volunteers are all fit and ready to provide a positive image for Bishop's Stortford.

The club was officially recognised by the National body, England Squash, as '2007 Club of the Year' and aim to continue the high standards set in previous years.

Players from all over Europe are converging to Bishop's Stortford Squash Club to compete in this new Festival of squash sponsored by our close neighbours BAA London Stansted Airport.

Junior Under 19 and 15 events start in earnest at 10am on Monday morning, followed by the qualifying draw for the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Mens event at 2pm, matches start at 4pm.

Junior coaching clinics for schoolchildren during the summer school holiday are also being held at neighbouring squash club Chantry during the week introducing squash to a new generation of young players. 

Bishop's Stortford Squash Club Manager Jason Foster remarked 'I'm so proud at how the whole squash community has come together to try and promote squash within the schools and the clubs to be a part of the BAA Squash Festival'

'By working with the 'UK Squash Academy' run by Paul Selby and John Milton plus the support received by England Squash I sincerely believe squash will become an Olympic sport in the very near future and with the crop of youngsters coming through hope that they will be inspired with what they see at the BAA Squash Festival' 

Monday nights action is completed with a 'Battle of the Sexes' social squash match involving former World Number 7 Rebecca Macree, who is now based at Bishop's Stortford Squash Club, current World number 101 Lauren Selby and England O40 International Vicky King and Ladies 1st team players Kath Kemp and Julie-Anne Pegram vs Bishop's Stortford Squash club manager Jason Foster and his team of club stalwarts Fred Cooke, Mark Scott, Matt Delaney and Gavin Noffki.

Regards

Jason Foster

July 2007 - Nick Matthew to play in Charity Pro-Am event

BRITISH SQUASH CHAMPION NICK MATTHEW TO PLAY IN CHARITY PRO-AM AT BAA BISHOP’S STORTFORD SQUASH FESTIVAL

Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club in association with UK Squash Academy are delighted to announce a new International PSA (Professional Squash Association) Squash Tournament.  This will involve some of the top players in the World to be played at the England Squash 2007 Club of the Year.

BAA London Stansted are pleased to be associated with the event as sponsors of the BAA Bishop’s Stortford Squash Festival 20th to 25th August 2007

Bishop’s Stortford 28^th July 2007:  

With 3 days to go before the tournament closing date over 60 players from around the World have entered the inaugural BAA Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club Festival. However the draw size is limited to 16 players, (11 of the top players, 1 Wild Card entrant and 4 qualifiers)

Of the top 11 players, 8 entrants are in the World’s top 100 rankings, former Bishop’s Stortford squash club junior and World Number 36 Daryl Selby heads the seedings and top players from France, Holland,  Sweden, Germany, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Pakistan and Egypt fill the qualifying rounds which will be played on Monday and Tuesday 20-21 August.

We are delighted to announce the Wild Card entrant will be WN 151 Neil Hitchens who has played for Bishop’s Stortford for the past 2 seasons in the local  county Leagues and National Cup matches.  This will be a major boost for Neil in his quest to move higher in the World rankings.

Entries for the junior tournaments (Mon & Tue Girls & Boys U19 and U15, Wed & Thur G & B U17 and U13, Fri G & B U11) to be held during the week of the Festival are filling up fast as are the FREE Coaching sessions for school children who received mini-squash taster sessions in school before their holidays. 

On semi-finals night (Friday 24^th Aug) a fully subscribed Doubles event will take place before the matches and on Saturday 25^th August a Pro-Am squash event in aid of leukaemia research will precede the Final between 1-6pm, This has been boosted by the confirmation from England No 1 squash player and British Open Champion Nick Matthew that he will support the event, as have other fellow professionals  Lee Drew Eng no 14, Aaron Frankcomb WN 56, Chris Ryder WN 62 and British Squash Players Association Chairman and former WN 31 Tim Garner.  

If you would like to take part in this fun event before the Final and possibly play in the same team as one of these star players please contact Jason Foster via e-mail jasonfoster@stortfordsquash.co.uk who will happily include you and give further information.

Jason Foster

Manager

Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club

30th June 2007 - LOCAL MP CONGRATULATES CLUB FOR SUCCESSFUL BIG LOTTERY & AWARD SCHEME

Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club Chairman David Sciberras had a welcome boost when he received a letter of congratulations from Mark Prisk, Member of Parliament for Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford after the club had successfully bid for ‘Awards for All’ support.

Mr Prisk was delighted to hear of the clubs excellent venture and commented that the community needed projects such as this.

As part of the BAA Squash Festival, representatives from Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club (in conjunction with England Squash) are mid-way through attending 10 local primary schools in June/July 2007 to deliver 4 hours of mini-squash as part of the school curriculum. Working with the School Sports Partnership the club has also arranged a coaching seminar for all of the schools sports teachers to enable the legacy of squash to continue.

So far, all the children have received invitations to attend further FREE squash coaching clinics from UK Squash Academy coaches at Chantry Squash Club during the Festival week which is during the school holidays.

Level 3 England Squash coach and manager of Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club Jason Foster has attended all the primary schools and been very impressed with the talent seen on show.

‘I have been teaching Year 4 and 5 pupils and am very impressed with the skill level and interest shown, the idea of bringing squash into the school using the Unsquashable Mini-Wall is working brilliantly and has allowed me to talent spot and invite those pupils to the Clubs junior morning. Last week I received letters from children at one school which was very rewarding especially when one of them said sorry in his letter for dropping the bat on my toe during the lesson!

For further information about the event, junior entry forms, ticket sales and to even take part in one of the many social matches on offer please visit the website www.stortfordsquashfestival.co.uk and/or contact the Manager, Jason Foster.

Contact: Jason Foster (Manager)

Bishops Stortford Squash Club

Phone 01279 652897

Mobile 07888 823464

May 2007 - GATEWAY TO EUROPE

Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club in association with UK Squash Academy are delighted to announce a new International PSA (Professional Squash Association) Squash Tournament involving some of the best players in the World to be played at the England Squash 2007 Club of the Year.

BAA London Stansted is happy to be associated as sponsors of the BAA Bishop’s Stortford Squash Festival 20th to 25th August 2007

Bishop’s Stortford 22nd May 2007:  

With Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club situated only 5 minutes from Stansted Airport, the most commonly used airport in the World for Professional Squash players and aptly sponsored by BAA London Stansted it has taken little time for the tournament to be dubbed the ‘Gateway to Europe Open!’  Professional Squash players from all over the World and especially Europe have been lining up to enter this new PSA event.

The tournament already carries 1 star status with the PSA for having $10,000 prize money, the richest squash event in the history of  Hertfordshire and Essex Squash. However, with the interest shown so far from players, enthusiasts and sponsors, watch out for the prize money to be increased!!

Qualifying rounds for the event start on Monday 20th August with the Final scheduled for Saturday 25th August. A players party will be held on Tuesday 21st August on the eve of the main event.

A sponsors party on Wednesday night (22nd August) to include a unique entry into the ‘Winner Takes It All’ squash tournament. Ladies Night on Friday (24th August) and a Pro-Am social squash tournament before the Final on Saturday 25th August.

The Festival will not be complete without the inclusion of the ever growing interest from Junior Squash. Open Under 19 and 15 events will be held during the day on Monday and Tuesday  20th-21st August, Under 17 and 13 events on Wednesday and Thursday 22nd-23rd August and a Under 11 tournament on Friday 24th August.

Representatives from Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club in conjunction with England Squash will attend 10 local primary schools in June/July and deliver 4 hours of mini-squash as part of the school curriculum.

The children will also receive an invitation to attend further FREE squash coaching from UK Squash Academy coaches at Chantry Squash Club during the Festival week. The club is situated 2 minutes from Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club. 

All this adds up to a true Festival of Squash and it is hoped that many of you will come along and support the occasion.

For further information about the event for junior entry forms, ticket sales and to even take part in one of the many social matches on offer please visit the website www.stortfordsquashfestival.co.uk and contact Jason Foster.

Contact: Jason Foster (Manager)

Bishops Stortford Squash Club

Phone 01279 652897

Mobile 07888 823464

April 2007

UK Squash Academy are proud to announce an exciting new venture in partnership with Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club (Club of the Year 2007) to bring top level Squash to the East of England.

BAA London Stansted is happy to be associated as sponsors of the BAA Bishop’s Stortford Squash Festival 20th to 26th August 2007

Bishop’s Stortford 5th April 2007: UK Squash Academy Directors Paul Selby and John Milton are happy to be working with Jason Foster manager of Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club and BAA London Stansted to bring a fantastic new event to this part of England. The event will feature at the top end a PSA 1 star event which will give people in this area a chance to witness professional squash being played in their own area, attracting players from all parts of the world. In tandem with this will be a Festival of Squash that will include Junior events run throughout the week for all age groups from Under 11’s up to Under 19’s and a chance also for Men and Women players to enter and play in their own tournament alongside some of the worlds top players. Club Manager Jason Foster who is co promoting this event said yesterday. “This is a fantastic opportunity for Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club to host such a wonderful Festival that will include all levels of ability in our sport, this is something our club always strives to provide our members. It is great that a company like BAA London Stansted wish to be associated with this event. We are happy that England Squash has come on board with this project and is helping us to take Squash to the local schools in the area which will culminate in bringing the children to the club during Festival week to participate in some coaching workshops being run by the UK Squash Academy. Paul and John have been working hard during the last year to increase the amount of young aspiring players to join and train with their Academy and we felt it was good to be associated with this. We are looking forward to a tremendous week of Squash and I am sure everyone involved either as a player of spectator will hopefully go away from the event completely Squashed out.”

Contact: Paul Selby

UK Squash Academy

Phone 01376 500470

Mobile 0777 5523161