BRAND NEWS


27-Mar-08: Ashaway signs Grainger Ashaway Racket Strings has signed squash great Natalie Grainger to a multi-year sponsorship agreement, company officials announced today. Grainger, who won the US Nationals in March after switching to Ashaway's new SuperNick® XL Micro, is currently ranked #1 in the US and #4 in the WISPA world rankings. "Having Natalie as part of our team is a great coup for Ashaway Racket Strings," said Steve Crandall, Ashaway's Vice President. "Not only is she a great player and a great coach, but as WISPA President, she is one of the true leaders in the sport and one of the most engaging people around. We expect she will be a force in our industry for many years to come." Grainger is a former WISPA world number one ranked player and has been ranked in the top ten in the world for seven of the last ten years. She is President of the Board of WISPA, the governing body for the women's worldwide professional squash tour. Grainger is also Head Coach for the US Under 23 development program and an advisor to DC Squash Academy, an inner-city youth program that uses squash, combined with academic tutoring and mentoring, to enrich children's lives. She was formerly the US Junior Women's Team Assistant Coach, which finished a record-tying 4th at the 2005 Junior World Championships. For her part, former South African and recently minted American citizen Natalie is also happy to be on the team of the only U.S. string maker. "Ashaway's been a leader in stringing for many many years," she said. "I've actually used Ashaway at different times for a fair bit of my career, and I've always been very impressed with their string. So I'm really happy that they've decided to sign me." Ashaway Racket Strings are made by Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co., the only U.S. manufacturer of string for squash, tennis, racquetball, and badminton. Operated by the Crandall family since 1824, Ashaway has been making racquet strings since 1949, and is responsible for several important technical innovations. Ashaway is the Official String of USA Racquetball, the Professional Squash Association and the Women's International Squash Players Association. Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co. also makes braided products for medical and industrial applications.

19-Feb-08: Prince appoints Peter Nicol as "Squash Ambassador" Peter Nicol, MBE, arguably Britain's most successful squash player of all-time, has been appointed as Squash Ambassador by Prince Sports Europe. Through his company Peter Nicol Squash, the former world number one will manage the brand's roster of international player signings and coaches, as well as organise Prince squash promotions throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Peter Nicol has been linked with Prince for more than 15 years, since first signing to use the brand's racquets shortly after turning professional as a teenager. The world number one for a total of 60 months - and winner of more than 50 international titles, including the World Open crown and four Commonwealth Games gold medals - Nicol retired from the PSA Tour in September 2006 after competing in his 12th World Open. In addition to his ambassadorial role, Nicol will also act as Global Tour Manager for the brand, in which he will be responsible for identifying new squash talent around the world for Prince - being present at all major events and servicing the needs of the current Prince team. Furthermore, Nicol will continue to conduct at least 20 on-court exhibitions/seminars globally each year and will represent Prince in building strong relationships with all governing bodies and will advise the brand in all aspects of the sport. After working as International Player Promotions Manager for Prince for many years, Andy Bunting will now continue this role with Peter Nicol Squash. "Peter Nicol has been a valuable ambassador for Prince for many years - and we are delighted now to welcome him 'in-house' to build on the highly successful former relationship to expand our status in squash worldwide. "Prince has always been an innovative brand - and we look forward to working closely with Peter in this latest innovation to grow our success in squash." VP & MD of Prince Sports Europe "I am very excited at the prospect of extending my long and fulfilling association with Prince in this way. "The brand has an excellent squad of players - and I look forward to adding to this more younger potential stars of the future as well as older well-established players, with particular players signed in relation to specific markets. "Our plan is create the sense of a team with these players - while also making more of the players under contract, in exhibitions, clinics, coaching, racquet testing and for general brand awareness. "Furthermore, Peter Nicol Squash will have a strong presence at major junior, senior and veteran events on behalf of Prince."	19-Feb-08: WSF Strikes Historic Partnership With Dunlop The World Squash Federation and Dunlop Slazenger International have signed a new five-year agreement for Dunlop to be the 'Official Ball' of the WSF - marking the largest sponsorship agreement in the history of Squash's governing body. The agreement with the WSF's longest standing sponsor - the Federation has enjoyed a continuous association with Dunlop since 1991 - is extended until 2012. The historic partnership ensures that the Dunlop Championship Ball will be the 'Official Ball of the WSF' and that of its Regional Federations - with the associated exclusive use in over 40 World Championships, Regional Championships and Major Games. In addition to cash and value in kind - including squash balls for use both in championships and development - the agreement also provides for a strategic partnership in the areas of development and technology. Both organisations have agreed to exchange knowledge and establish initiatives to grow the sport. "This highly-valued partnership delivers a key endorsement for Dunlop and forms part of an extensive marketing programme targeted to continue Dunlop’s status as the World’s No1 squash brand," stated Toby Marcham, Indoor Sports Group Marketing Manager for Dunlop Slazenger International. "The company is committed to working with partners focussed on growing the sport of squash and clearly there are none more appropriate than the WSF and its Regional Federations. Reviewing the growth of WSF-endorsed events in recent years, as well as future plans, certainly creates a very positive picture and Dunlop looks forward to being an active part of these exciting times," added Marcham. WSF Chief Executive Christian Leighton commented: "WSF is delighted to extend its partnership with Dunlop as the 'Official Ball of the WSF'. We believe that the strategic nature of the agreement will deliver increased value to both parties and we look forward to collaborating in the critical areas of development and technology. "The WSF has grown dramatically since the first sponsorship agreement in 1991," Leighton continued. "In that year, Squash was included in only two Major Games. We are now on the programme of every major multi-sport event except the Olympic Games, i.e. more than 20 events. Dunlop has played a key role in this growth and will continue to do so."

15-Feb-08: Palmer signs with Ashaway & Black Knight Ashaway Racket Strings and world-renowned squash racquet manufacturer Black Knight have signed a joint long-term sponsorship agreement with squash legend David Palmer. Currently ranked 4th in the PSA World rankings, Palmer is a three-time British Open and two-time World Open Champion, and has been sponsored by Ashaway for more than five years. The arrangement with Black Knight - which also serves as Ashaway's Canadian Distributor - is new. As part of the agreement, Black Knight will develop a high-end line of David Palmer signature racquets to be introduced to the worldwide squash market in September 2008. All of the new Palmer racquets will be strung with Ashaway's PowerNick® 18, which Palmer has used since it was first introduced to the Ashaway squash string line. All existing Black Knight squash frames will continue to be strung at the factory with Ashaway strings. "We see this as a very unique partnership between three leading players in the game‹David Palmer, Ashaway Racket Strings, and Black Knight frames," said Ashaway Vice President, Steve Crandall. "We believe it will generate a good deal of positive visibility, not only for our respective organizations, but for squash as a whole." According to Palmer, he and his wife and young daughter will move to the United States from Belgium in February. From his Boston, Massachusetts, base at the famous University Club, he will be playing in all of the major North American (USA and Canada) and World Tour events. In addition to playing with Ashaway strings and Black Knight frames at these PSA events, Palmer will promote Ashaway and Black Knight at squash camps, clinics, and exhibitions worldwide every year. "We are very pleased to have a player of such caliber on our team," said Bruce Alexander, manager of international sales and marketing for Black Knight, "and to expand our partnership with Ashaway. David has long wanted to play a proactive role in the development of squash equipment. This goal is a perfect fit with Black Knight's reputation in the squash community and its 30-year history of squash innovations."



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