CARDIFF, Dec 18: One of the initiatives launched by the new board of the Professional Squash Association (PSA), following its election during last week’s Men’s World Open in Belgium, is the formation of a Players Committee, designed to enhance liaison between the board and the association’s grassroots players.

New board member Mark Chaloner, the world No10 from England, has been appointed president of the PSA, with fellow new member Alex Gough, the world No16 from Wales, the vice-president. American businessman Jack Herrick continues his role as chairman.

Explaining the significance of the new Players Committee, Executive Director Gawain Briars conceded that lines of communication needed to be improved between the PSA’s worldwide members and its board, and hoped that the establishment of this five-man committee, chaired by board member Tony Hands, would help to achieve this.

“Almost three times the usual votes were cast in the election of the new board at the recent AGM, which we believe reflects the success of the recent reforms we have introduced to encourage greater participation from members,” said Briars. “But hitherto members appear to have been reluctant to air their views about the organisation of the association to the members of the board who could pursue their points.”

The committee will comprise Tony Hands and Mark Chaloner, together with Egyptian Omar Elborolossy, Australian Glenn Keenan and Irishman Liam Kenny. “We hope the cosmopolitan make-up of this group, both geographically and in terms of their ranking status, will make it an easier channel via which member issues can be conveyed through to the board,” Briars added.

The PSA board also revealed a review of the year-end results which showed that the Association recorded a 4% increase in income in its overall world operation in 2002 over 2001, marking a third successive year of growth.—WSF