International Title-Holders To Bid For Home Glory in 2010 National Championships

After winning a wide range of major squash titles around the world over the past year, Britain's best players will be seeking domestic glory in the 2010 British National Championships at the National Squash Centre in Manchester from 7-14 February next year.

Defending men's champion Nick Matthew, the world No4 from Sheffield, will arrive in Manchester as the reigning World Games, British Open and Swedish Open champion, while women's National title-holder Jenny Duncalf, the world No6 from Harrogate, recently added the prestigious US Open crown to a 2009 title portfolio which also includes the Soho Square Championship trophy in Egypt.

England international Peter Barker won two overseas titles this year, including the KL Open crown in Malaysia and the Santiago Open trophy in Spain - while the nation's top-ranked woman Alison Waters, the world No5 from London, claimed the 2009 Irish Open title in Dublin.

Other British stars of world squash whose talents will be on display in Manchester will include England's James Willstrop, the former world No2 from Leeds whose dramatic return to the circuit since ankle surgery in April took him to this year's British Open final and World Open semi-finals; and ten-time Irish champion Madeline Perry who also reached the British Open final after a stunning quarter-final upset over world number one Nicol David.

The 2010 Nationals, which will also include a comprehensive programme of Masters events from Over-35 to Over-70 championships, will be staged entirely at the National Squash Centre in Sportcity - with action from the quarter-finals onwards on the all-glass court in the major arena surrounded by seating for more than 1,000 spectators.

"This will be the 14th successive year of the Nationals in Manchester, and we are confident that it will be the best year ever," said Chris Nutley, Head of Competition & Events at England Squash & Racketball.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council, added: "Manchester is once again delighted to welcome the best British players to the City for the National Championships. The event gives us a chance to showcase the great development work going on locally and provides opportunities for our residents to compete, spectate and volunteer at a world class competition."

Tickets for the British National Squash Championships - Manchester 2010 are available now - and can be booked online at www.isportgroup.com/ticketing, or by telephone on 0844-870 0000 - or for further help and information email: info@isportgroup.com

Those wishing to enter the event can do so for the first time this year on-line. Further details are available at www.englandsquashandracketball.com/competitions/32

For more general details of the 2010 National Championships, please visit the official website: www.nationalsquashchamps.co.uk