As part of Dunlop’s five-year agreement to become a key sponsorship partner of England Squash & Racketball (ESR), the world’s number one squash brand will be the principal sponsor of the Premier Squash League.
The 27th season of the world's most prestigious squash league gets underway next Tuesday (5 October).
In a major deal with the sport’s English governing body, Dunlop has become the Official Development Partner to ESR and lead sponsor of several high profile events including the National Racketball Championships and the governing body’s Mini Squash programme.
Dunlop, which sponsors numerous elite athletes including England’s world No2 Nick Matthew, has enjoyed a long-standing association with professional squash and is now expanding its links to focus on supporting both Squash and Racketball at grass roots and development level.
"Sponsorship of England Squash and Racketball provides Dunlop with the opportunity to support player and game development at all levels, including the PSL, the world's best squash league,” said Dunlop’s Sports Marketing Executive Chloe Passant. “As the world's number 1 ball, racket and apparel supplier, we are looking forward to playing our part in the growth of both sports in the future.”
Eleven teams will compete in the 2010/11 Premier League season, with defending champions Surrey Health & Racquets, from Croydon, looking to win the crown for the third time since 2008.
After a gap of 16 years since winning the title in 1995, Winchester - led by England’s world No30 Joey Barrington - will return to the PSL this season. Winchester beat Duffield in the 1995 final in only the Derbyshire club’s second season in the league.
Sponsored by Benz-Bavarian for the 10th season in a row, Duffield won the title in 1998, 2006 and 2007 and are now celebrating a record 18th successive season in the PSL.
Debutants Winchester host Surrey’s TWP St George's Hill in a first round tie in Group B, on Tuesday, while title-holders Surrey Health & Racquets entertain Covers Chichester. A West Country clash sees UWE Bristol host Exeter Diamonds.
While Leeds-based 2009 champions LEBC Group Chapel Allerton have a rest day in the opening round in Group A, fellow Yorkshire club Pontefract visit CLFS Esporta Oxford, while - in a popular East Midlands derby - Benz-Bavarian Duffield entertain 1999 champions MB Nottingham.
1st round fixtures, 5 October 2010:
Group A:
CLFS Esporta Oxford v Pontefract
Benz-Bavarian Duffield v MB Nottingham
Group B:
Surrey Health & Racquets v Covers Chichester
UWE Bristol v Exeter Diamonds
IGT Winchester v TWP St George's Hill
For all the latest news, visit the official website www.pslsquash.com