PSA Open Up Closed Satellite Opportunities

The Professional Squash Association has introduced a new initiative which will give opportunities for players to compete and earn ranking points in 'Closed' events, ie. those restricted to residents of a country.

As an addition to the existing National Closed Championship category, the PSA will now sanction Closed Satellite Tournaments - which can be a single tournament or a series - open only to members of an association that represents national players. There is no limit on the prize money that can be paid, but ranking points will be capped at the $2,500 level.

PSA members can compete in any number of Closed Satellite events in a year, but must confirm immediately after each event if they wish to receive ranking points. This will benefit top players who wish to support Squash development in their country, but do not want to lower their rankings.

The new category - covered in the new PSA Tour Guide and effective from this month - has a low registration fee of £60 sterling and players can register as Country Members at a discounted rate.

The British Squash Professionals Association is the first body to take advantage of the new rules and all its 2007 events will be PSA-sanctioned.

"The BSPA is delighted that the Closed Satellite concept has been expanded to include our HEAD Grand Prix events," said Tour Director Tim Garner. "We are happy to be working with the PSA to give the stars of the future, whose primary concern must be to earn a living, the chance to earn world ranking points on home soil and compete against more established players."

Gawain Briars, Chief Executive of the PSA, commented: "This is a small change in the rules of the PSA Tour, but one which has great significance for aspiring professionals and for national Squash Federations. National Federations can now mount a series of events in their own country which will give their young players the chance to earn a place in the PSA rankings without having to make the huge financial and personal commitment to world travel.

"Also, they can use their top players freely to showcase the events without them being disadvantaged in the rankings. We will be discussing local programmes with all the top Squash nations and promoters soon so that they can consider following the hugely successful pattern created by the BSPA in the UK."