BRITISH OPEN SQUASH NEWS

British Open Returns To Nottingham - Boosted By BBC TV Coverage

After a highly successful inaugural year in 2003, the 2004 British Open Squash Championships will return to Nottingham, from 29th October to 6th November, featuring the biggest combined men's and women's event in Europe. 

Furthermore, the event will be boosted by a special BBC Sport highlights programme which will be broadcast on BBC TV Grandstand on Sunday 7th November.

At a press conference in Nottingham, Tournament Chairman John Beddington revealed that the most prestigious event in world squash, first played at the Queen's Club in London in 1922, will boast a men's Professional Squash Association (PSA) event and a Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) event, both attracting the world's top players.  In addition, there will be a full programme of men's and women's Masters events.

Beginning at the Nottingham Squash Rackets Club on Friday 29 October, the 'Wimbledon of Squash' will transfer onto the spectacular all-glass court sited at the Albert Hall from the last sixteen onwards, from Tuesday 2nd November through to the finals on the Saturday.

"We're delighted to have The British Open Squash Championships back on BBC Sport," said Philip Bernie, Editor, Grandstand.  "Squash is a sport in which Britain truly excels and we look forward to a world class event with plenty of home interest."

UK-based Beddington and his US-based Co-Chairman John Nimick acquired the rights for the British Open from the sport's England governing body England Squash (formerly the Squash Rackets Association) early last year.  Today's announcement coincides with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the formation of the SRA at a special dinner tonight in London, hosted by the association's Patron, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"We are extremely pleased to be returning to Nottingham with this year's British Open," said Beddington at the launch.  "We were given a splendid welcome last year and the championships were a huge success.  This year we welcome the support of the City of Nottingham and other local agencies and look forward to an even more successful event."

Jackie Robinson, Chairman of England Squash, added: "We are delighted at the announcement, as Nottingham has a special resonance for England Squash.   The first British Open at the Albert Hall last year was a resounding success, for which much praise must go to the organising team, and we look forward with confidence to the continuing resurgence of this great event."

Councillor Leon Unczur, Executive Member for Culture Community Services and Tourism, commented: "This is a fantastic event.  It's the squash equivalent of Wimbledon, and the players of this tournament will be more than welcome in our fair city.  I hope the people of Nottingham along with the rest of Britain will come and watch an amazing and exciting tournament."

Dr John Heeley, Chief Executive of Experience Nottingham, the official destination management organisation, says:  "Attracting and hosting sporting championships is brilliant for Nottingham.  It affords us opportunities to raise the profile of the city, through media exposure and by showing organisers, players and visitors that we are a great and vibrant city.

"We will be working with the City Council, the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), the Championship organisers and other interested parties to ensure ticketing and accommodation run smoothly and that regional advertising opportunities are maximised.  Helped by EMDA support, we are also going to dress and otherwise turn on the city for this event.  The fact that the event is being billed in a way that flags up "Nottingham" is a great bonus."

Title-holder David Palmer will be aiming to win his third men's British Open title in Nottingham.  The world No8 from Australia, who made a special visit from his base in Belgium to be at the launch, said:  "It is great to see the British Open returning to Nottingham. The Albert Hall is a great venue and I am looking forward to defending my title there this year."

Three further former champions are also likely to be bidding to win the men's trophy:  Peter Nicol, the England No1 who was the champion in 1998 and 2002; David Evans, who became the first Welshman to lift the trophy in 2000; and one of the sport's most exciting players Jonathon Power, the Canadian winner in 1999.

Local hopes will be led by 2002 runner-up John White, the Nottingham-based Scot who became world No1 for the first time this month. 

Australian Rachael Grinham is certain to defend the women's title she won for the first time last year - though home hopes will be led by England's Cassie Jackman, the world No1 from Norfolk who was runner-up both in 2003 and 1999.

Further details regarding ticket availability, etc, will be announced later.