WORLD SQUASH NEWS
Pohrer Takes Over As WISPA President
The Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) AGM, held
during the Texas Open, saw the election of a new President when world number
two Natalie Pohrer was invited to take over the role following the retirement
of Sarah Fitz-Gerald from the Tour.
Pohrer, 25, from St Louis in the USA, was delighted to take on the role on
behalf of her fellow members: "Sarah has done a great job heading up WISPA,"
said Pohrer of Australia's record five-times world champion. "She is a great
friend and competitor and I hope I can emulate her as an ambassador for
women's squash. We have so many exciting things going on. Here in Dallas we
are playing on our own WISPA squash court for example - standing still has
never been part of our agenda. We plan to develop still further our
relationships and our Tour generally and I look forward to fronting the WISPA
engine room."
WISPA Director Andrew Shelley explained that a change was required: "Our
rules require that our President must be a current playing member so Sarah
couldn't continue. She has also decided that she would prefer to step down
from the Board as she will not be at events where meetings are held.
"But she is still keen to be involved and I am pleased to confirm that the
WISPA Board have invited Sarah to become a WISPA Patron, a position that she
has accepted. She is a great asset and couldn't get away that easily!"
In addition to Fitz-Gerald, Melanie Jans (Canada) and Sue Wright (England)
stood down and were replaced on the Board by the three nominees: Jenny
Tranfield (England), Pamela Nimmo (Scotland) and Natalie Grinham (Australia).
"We have been fortunate to have a balanced Board in recent years and there is
no doubt that the three new members will be valuable additions," Shelley
added.
The full Board now is:
Natalie Pohrer (President)
Linda Charman (Chairman) (England)
Natalie Grinham
Shabana Khan (USA)
Ingrid Lofdhal-Bentzer (co-opted) (England)
Susan Morrison (USA)
Pamela Nimmo
Jenny Tranfield