Equal Prize Money For Female Nationals Squash Stars

England Squash & Racketball have revealed that prize money will be awarded equally to both men and women at the 2014 British National Squash Championships.

The step shows the commitment of the National Governing Body in helping to drive women's squash forwards and recognising the important part the women's game has to play in the tournament.

England Squash & Racketball Operations Director Jim Lord said: "We are delighted to announce that the prize money for the 2014 National Squash Championships in Manchester will be equal for both men and women.

"We are determined to play our part in raising the profile of the women's tour and, if at all possible, contribute to a longer term commercial strategy that will influence increases to women's prize money."

The move follows that of the US Open in Philadelphia which recently increased the women's prize money to match the men's draw.

The British National Championships, run in partnership with Manchester City Council, take place in Manchester next week and will see Britain's best squash players - including England's world No1 and three-time world champion Nick Matthew and current British Open champion Laura Massaro - battle it out for the national titles.

Total prize money for the National Squash Championships now stands at £22,800.