Awesome news arrives from New Zealand, where The Datsuns guitarist Phil Buscke is doing a bungee jump off Auckland Harbour Bridge (live on TV) to launch Squash For 2016 Day in style on May 23.
Phil Buscke, a guitarist with New Zealand hard rock band The Datsuns, will be dressed in his Squash For 2016 T-shirt as he does a bungee jump from Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Buscke, who used to play A grade squash in New Zealand and was a member of the Kiwis' high performance squad before The Datsuns gained international fame, says he is determined to help raise the profile of the game in its crucial build-up to the Olympic voting process.
Phil said: "I've been asked to do a lot of things by Squash New Zealand in the past, but I never thought they'd ask me to jump off a bridge."
On the Olympic bid, he added: "All I can say is, if I'm throwing myself off a bridge, squash had better bloody well get in!"
On splitting his time between recording and touring with The Datsuns and playing squash, he said: "I don't get much time to play when I'm overseas, but I'm planning to spend a bit more time at home in future and would like to do a bit of coaching."
SQUASHING ALL OVER THE WORLD
Squash 2016 Day on May 23 is a fun-filled worldwide festival of activities to promote the Olympic bid and attract new participants to the sport.
Major events are taking place all over the globe with special focus on the four cities bidding to host the 2016 Games, namely Chicago, Madrid, Rio and Tokyo.
NICOL DAVID GETS INVOLVED AND ELAINE TAN PLANS ANOTHER JUMP
In Malaysia, women's world number one Nicol David will be involved in a Squash Open Day at the International Squash Centre in her home town of Penang in a collaboration between Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia and Squash Stars.
Nicol will be auctioning off itemsof clothing and equipment she wore and used on her way to to 50 WISPA titles - and event organiser Elaine Tan writes to say she is holding a competition on Facebook to come up with the cleverest idea of how to celebrate if squash wins one of the two coveted places in the 2016 Olympics.
Elaine herself has written: "If squash is voted in to the 2016 Olympics, I pledge to jump off the tallest building in my country (the Petronas Towers)." That effort will take some beating!
World Squash Day in Penang
LEGENDS LEND A HAND
In the USA, squash legends Jonathon Power and John White will be appearing in the 100-a-side Battle Of The Border match at the Apawamis Club in Connecticut. Also there will be women's world No2 Natalie Grainger, fresh from her appearance in the final of the Cayman Islands Open.
Squash will also be getting the Hollywood treatment in Los Angeles, where the local squash community are planning a massive day of activities.
BUSY DAY IN THE USA
Jack Farley writes:
There are also many… MANY more events being planned across the states in Los Angeles, Seattle, St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, and New York City… to name just a few geographically scattered across the 3,000-mile span here stateside.
All our Urban city youth groups, our colleges and high schools, our public and private clubs and every US Squash member is focused on making a memorable contribution to the worldwide event… Olympic squash in 2016 being the ultimate goal!!!
All will have T-shirt adorned mobs with rackets in hand saluting Squash 2016 Day… with pictures galore posted on www.worldsquashday.com
Los Angeles
Banners in front of Hollywood sign and Universal Studios
Stefan Casteleyn, former world No.7 PSA player and 14-time Belgian National Champion, now the Head Squash Professional at the prestigious Los Angeles Athletic Club, is planning a FREE full-day of squash activities in support of SQUASH FOR 2016, which includes a one day "wooden racket" tournament, a refereeing seminar and professional squash exhibitions.
NEW YORK:
Squash 2016 Day gala to be held at the brand new facility in Rye, NY (five glass wall singles and two doubles courts).
CitySquash is thrilled to participate in the festivities of World Squash Day. That weekend, CitySquash will have its Bronx students playing at locations all around the NY area, including StreetSquash, Rye Country Day School, Hackley School and Fordham University.
StreetSquash in New York City will be hosting a middle school squash tourney for Urban Programs at their new 8 court facility. We plan to have press cover this event and have a potential US Congress member be the chief guest. Every kid will be given a Squash for 2016 T-Shirt. Thank You for the shirts we just received them today.
GET A LIFE, PLAY SQUASH!
The Life Time Fitness Group will be supporting World Squash Day, with events at all 23 clubs in the group.
They say: "We will open our doors in 23 centers across the US to members and non-members at 11am and hosting games of skill that players of all ages and skill can enjoy. We will have a World Squash Day register that all will sign in on that will be sent to US Squash for inclusion in the road to the 2016 Olympics."
Go to www.lifetimefitness.com to see all of the participating centers.
SUPPORT FROM ENGLAND SQUASH
England Squash are supporting the Bid in solid style, and Paul Lynch and his marketing team have created a superb Squash 2016 Day Tool Kit and Media Pack to help any club who wishes to stage an event (see WSD Resources on the right)
As the crucial Olympic voting process draws near, why miss out on this amazing opportunity to do something special to support the bid and show your passion for our brilliant game at a time when your support is needed most?
BIG DAY OUT IN LONDON
Squash fans will be taking to the streets in a number of cities, including London, to wave Squash For 2016 Day banners in front of iconic buildings such as the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
With similar activities taking place at key locations all over the world, we hope to build up a massive bank of images which will clearly illustrate squash's global appeal, which is one of the key messages of the sport's bid for Olympic inclusion."
BACK THE BID, BUY THE SHIRT
Special T-shirts will be on sale featuring the Squash 2016 logo, with proceeds from each sale supporting the Bid Fund. Orders can be placed with Kentbridge Sports via www.kentbridgesports.co.uk - while T-shirt sales in the USA are being co-ordinated by the Harrow brand via their website www.harrowsports.com
WANT SOME IDEAS?
In London, Cecily Lewis says: "I'm running an event at X-cel, Elmbridge Leisure Centre, Riverside Drive, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. An afternoon of demos, tournaments, goody-bags, and lots of fun for beginners, intermediates and the very advanced!"
From Tynemouth SC: "We'll be having a full day of activities, something on every hour from 9am to 9pm for members and non-members of all ages and standards."
From Strings in Swansea: "We will be getting involved with Lots of fun activities planned! Let's raise some money! Squash at 2016 - Bring it on!"
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT YOUR CLUB?
Please let us know and log on to www.worldsquashday.com to upload preview material about your event, and post news and pictures on the day as an amazing day for squash unfolds across all the different time zones.
Clubs can register their Squash 2016 Day events on the World Squash Federation website www.worldsquash.org (or go direct to www.worldsquashday.com) and will have the opportunity to make instant donations to the Olympic Bid Fund.
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