One Man’s Vision Becomes a Global Movement

Alan Thatcher is a renaissance man who is showing us all that one man’s efforts truly can make a difference.

Among other things, he has been called the “most interesting man in squash.” His ‘regular’ job is in newspaper production. But he may spend more time helping to promote and grow the game of squash.

Some of his credentials include:

·         Editor, SquashUK

·         President, Kent SRA

·         Former Editor, Squash Player Magazine

·         Promoter, Kent Open and Kent Squash Festival

·         Co-Promoter, Canary Wharf Classic

·         MC and Media Director, North American Open

·         Development Officer, The Mote Squash Club www.motesquash.co.uk

·         Co-author of The Final Score, 1998, The inside story of football's match-fixing trial

These days people may know him more easily though as the Founder of World Squash Day.

“I love the game and want to do whatever I can do support it,” said Thatcher. “When we started this year’s effort to “Back the Bid” I didn’t set a goal because I had no idea what the response would be.

“That we already have exceeded 20,000 people is beyond satisfying”

The first World Squash Day event took place on January 11, 2002 when a New York team traveled to the UK to play a London team at the famous Lambs Club.

The event was launched to honour Derek Sword, a former Scottish junior champion and New York Athletic Club Champion, who was killed in the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

World Squash Day is endorsed by the World Squash Federation and a different theme is chosen each year with the overarching goal of growing the game.

In 2009 the theme was “Squash for 2016″ with events all over the globe taking place to support squash’s bid for a place in the Olympics.

The theme for 2010 was “20/10 for 2010” to encourage squash clubs all over the world to attract 20 new junior members and 10 new senior members to the sport.

In 2011 the theme was “Here come the Girls” to encourage new female players to take up the sport.

But this year’s theme has attracted by far the greatest grassroots appeal to date. Once again supporting squash’s Olympic aspirations World Squash Day is backing the WSF bid for inclusion in the 2020 Games.

To date over 20,000 squash players across the world have pre-registered to compete against their friend, or arch-rival, in a game to 20 points.

To learn more about World Squash Day, please visit, WorldSquashDay.com.