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Sponsors Spotlight
We all know
that these events don't happen without
sponsors, so this time in LA we thought
we'd better hear from some of the
supporters of this event ... |
Robin is
another long-time supporter of squash
events at the LAAC (who this time made
it possible for myself, Rod Symington
and Andrew Shelley to get here by
funding our flights.
What are his thoughts on Squash, Bob,
the LAAC etc ...
 It
all started about 10 years ago. As a
member of the Los Angeles athletic club
I kept an eye on the squash program. I
found it fascinating. While I never
really could play the sport at any level
above - is there a "z" level, if so that
would be mine! But I found myself
enjoying watching the sport. I enjoy the
game and those it attracts. The sport
has class.
About 6 or 7 years ago the event was for
the pros. A lot of club pros came out
for the event. A group of about 12 of us
went out to dinner and I just remember
thinking...this is why I love the
sport...everyone had a great time. It's
a small community...but an inclusive
one.
I love the all glass court, and I think
courts should be "all-white." As to
players ...better to ask me who i don't
like. Normally a longer list, but in
this case much shorter...lol.
As far as other sports go I support many
a bookie, but no other sport. I do
enjoying rowing, but again more
spectator than participant ... if you
know what I mean.
Bob is singularly responsible for squash
at the LAAC and should be commended
above words. If and when he retires, I
hope he will continue to be a consultant
for the events. As an owner of the LAAC,
I can not say enough about how hard Bob
fought to make squash, at the club, what
it is today.
Squash is going nowhere but on the up in
the USA, due to the hard work of pros
like Bob. And what once was view as an
elitist sport is becoming more
mainstream.
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Currently living in Los Angeles,
Robin Sateriale comes from a U.S.
East Coast family where squash is as
common as baseball.
Among his many investments, he is a
limited-partner of LAACO, which wholly
owns The Los Angeles Athletic Club.
Robin has continued to be financially
supportive of squash events as a
Presenting Sponsor at The LAAC and this
year is no exception. |
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#1: Dr M H Moustafa (aka Feather) |
You’ve been supporting squash events in
LA for a while now, how did it all
start?
In 1991 I arrived in LA to pursue a
career as a doctor in Emergency
Medicine. Yes, I am a doctor! At that
time, I was working in Qatar. My club in
Qatar was affiliated with The LAAC. In
1992 I met Bob Hanscom, a very
enthusiastic squash player and pro. Bob
is full of great ideas on how to improve
the game and involve the surrounding
community. I used to play in almost ALL
the tournaments held at The LAAC.
Bob ran the 1998 USSRA National
Championships which was a milestone for
squash in the western part of the USA –
the turnout was great and sponsor
exposure was outstanding. Bob brought
the glass court to Macy’s Mall in
downtown LA! I loved Bob’s organization,
hospitality and bringing something ”
interesting” to squash – like a top
world player, referee or musician!
Did I tell you about the great food as
well? I must admit that Bob’s enthusiasm
is, indeed, contagious and since then we
developed a strong friendship –
appreciating the outstanding job running
events and promoting his sponsors.
When Feather Sports USA was introduced
in 1998, Bob asked me if I would sponsor
his first LAAC Referring Seminar. I did
not hesitate a second to be the event
under-writer! Since that day, I see Bob
with LAAC as the home of Feather. He and
The Club introduced Feather to the
world!
Feather is a well-known brand in
the USA, and growing elsewhere. How did
it start ?
Since I was a kid playing squash, I
admired players that take care of
themselves in and outside the court.
Remember, squash is a sport for the
players and it is a “show” for hundreds
of spectators. Players who wear and use
good equipment always impressed me.
In 1981-82, I was in Germany working as
a part time teaching pro. I received
equipment sponsorship and the rights to
sell from a local brand, which is
unknown internationally. To my surprise,
my students would buy the unknown brand
endorsed by me and another local pro.
The principle was “there is a place for
small brands in squash and they can
compete.” I used to custom string squash
rackets. Squash players appreciate a
knowledgeable pro that will guide them
about how to choose their racket, string
and maintain them. I was able to provide
all the above.
In 1998 and I after I completed my
training in Emergency Medicine, I made a
decision to start my own line of rackets
and clothing. I know what players like
and provided what they were looking for!
What are your plans for the future
of Feather?
Starting July 2008, Feather-USA will be
offering domestic and international
entrepreneurial business partnerships! I
think this will give Feather a better
opportunity to become more visible
internationally. Interested business
partners are requested to go to
www.FeatherSports.com and sign on at the
“contact us” section.
From a sponsor’s point of view,
what’s good about squash?
I like the fact that squash spectators
are most often players! They appreciate
and respect their sponsors and usually
endorse or buy their products. A product
could be a squash racket or a service,
like a mortgage broker, banker, etc.
Squash players in the USA constitute, in
my opinion, one of the most educated,
influential and affluent sporting
communities in the country. You see
actors, screen writers, doctors, lawyers
and businessmen sitting next to each in
squash galleries. I realized a very
valuable personal and business
relationship through squash in the USA.
This just can’t be better from a
sponsor’s perspective.
You and Bob must go back a long
way ...
Yes, I met Bob in 1991. He introduced me
to the downtown Los Angeles squash
community. Since then I saw Bob “getting
things done” - when everyone else often
said it was impossible. Two new
international courts were built in a
record time at LAAC. I saw the glass
court put up in Macy’s Mall.
I saw top world-class players come to
The LAAC, such as Peter Nicol, Jonathon
Power, Cassie Jackman, Stefan Casteleyn,
John White, Chris Walker, Nicol David,
Rachel Grinhan, Vanessa Atkinson,
Natalie Granger and others. I saw events
ranging from the west cost college
invitational to the Royal British
Marines team competition.
Do you still play yourself….a
brief history?
Yes, I play squash although recently I
became injured. I am not playing as
before, but may once I recover. I
started playing squash over 40 years
ago. I was born in Alexandria-Egypt and
on the Alexandria Sporting Club’s first
division team.
I also represented The University in
local as well as international events.
In 1982 I played in the very first
German Bundesleague (first division). I
was also a referee at the 1985 World
Championships and won the Qatar Amateur
Championship in 1988 and 1989.
Do you have any favourite players,
competitions or venues?
I liked Jonah Barrington, Geoff Hunt,
Qamar Zaman, Britt Martin, Jahangir
Khan, Jansher Khan, Jonathon Power and
Ramy Ashour. I also liked the
spectacular Gamal Awad, who I knew since
we were both teenagers! From the WISPA
side, I liked watching Michelle Martin
and Sarah Fitzgerald.
My favorite competition and venue: Al
Ahram and the Tournament of the
Champions. The Pyramids of Giza is the
most spectacular venue. The grand
Central Terminal is a New York icon and
TOC became a tradition for the squash
community. It is the Wimbledon of
Squash!
In part two - the game in America
and its future ...
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2008 Sponsors Board |
 "I’m
delighted that the WISPA World Tour is expanding to Los Angeles and
being hosted by the highly respected LAAC
"We really welcome this initiative of LAAC Squash Professional Bob
Hanscom and his band of sponsors who are bringing a selection of
great players to Los Angeles to compete on the WISPA World Tour for
the second time.
"I am certain that their squash community will enjoy five days of
superb competition which will stimulate media interest in our great
sport."
WISPA Chief Executive |
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