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 Broadgate
EN BREF Issue #4
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the Super Series
Finals |
DUMAN'S POPPING IN...
This little thing, that used to run all around the court in Saudi,
going from one player to another, with squash stars in the eyes, has
now become a grown up, mature (too mature?) young adult, aware of the
hard work ahead of him, and of the choices he’ll have to make...
Abdulrahman is Ziad’s son, he's been studying in Millfield
since September. “I was a bit scared at first, I didn’t know what to
expect, the level of academics, and how would people react to me. But
everybody, with no exception, has been fantastic with me,” he says.
Millfield is as you all know, a very special place, where the students
are marrying studies with sports, among other stunning features. “The
first term, we are concentrating on rugby, second term football, and
third one, cricket”, explains Duman, Abdulrahman’s nickname. “And
then, Thursday & Friday, I go and train with Jonah, an hour after
school.”
”I love squash, and I can see my level improving week after week
thanks to Jonah’s coaching, but I also love golf, so I’m not sure
which discipline I’ll turn to later on. I think I’ll wait until I’m
15/16, see what my levels are, and see from there…”
But Millfield is also a special place thanks to Joey Barrington,
Jonah’s son, who’s been taking the young boy under his wing. “He is
almost like a big brother to me,” smiles Duman, “he makes me play
squash, we hang out at his house, or we go and have a meal with his
friends in the nearby town, when I’m a bit down, or homesick, he
cheers me up, he is a very special person.”
Well, whatever you are doing in Millfield, Duman, please keep at it,
because you look and sound a very happy boy. Really happy and
contented… |
Broadgate 2008
with Hisham in 2007
With Ramy in 2006 |
This is how you do it ... |
Guests from Cambrideshire squash |
No, THIS is how you do it! |
Judy gets all the best jobs ... |
Danielle pays Dad a visit |
Better late than never - Shabana gets his "player of the year 2007"
award |
Broadgate
EN BREF Issue #3
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the Super Series
Finals |
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RACHEL, THE INDISPENSABLE
As Shabana quoted a few days ago, “behind every great man there is a
great lady”. Well, in Paul Walters' case, we have two. One, the
Champion Sarah Fitz, to whom he’s been engaged now for a few
months, and two, Rachel Pullan, the High Heeled Wonder.
If you’ve ever seen a gorgeous blond, impeccably dressed at all times,
in high shoes in a world where most of us are in tracksuit and squash
shoes, you’ve met Rachel.
She is the MultiTask lady personified, and to be honest, Paul would be
utterly lost without her, as she handles most of the day to day
affairs, from ticketing to player handling, admin work, diary, meeting
organisation, etc…
But funnily enough, although she knew of Paul throughout her squash
junior years, she was more of a cricket lady.
“My dad was playing cricket for Notts and Yorkshire, and my partner of
10 years Tim has been playing for Notts and England, so really, I’ve
been brought up in the Cricket world.”, she smiles.
”I used to work in the ticketing for Trent Bridge, Nottingham Cricket
Club, then for Nottingham Forest Football Club in the Admin.
One day as Tim, her boyfriend, knew Paul when he was a rep, they were
chatting, and he came to mention that he was getting busier.
”I just left a job” says Rachel, “and he asked me would I be
interested in working alongside him? So, we went for a run – yes, a
run! - he explained what the job would consist of, and I accepted…”
Since then she’s been – as we can imagine – pretty busy with Paul's
events. But the real question is, what is it really like to work with
THE man?
”Well, Paul can be a bit frustrating at times, but then again, so can
I, I guess. But he’s very fair, open and honest with me, he doesn’t
hide anything from me. And generally, the fact that we are not in each
other’s face every day works fine for us, as I live in Nottingham, and
he lives in Manchester.”
And as I asked her my usual question, three words to describe Paul,
she didn’t hesitate for a second, “24/7 would pretty much cover it….” |
Player on Player - part one
Inspired by a feature Eurosport did at the recent Hamburg Masters
Tennis event, we thought it would be interesting to ask some of the
players what they thought of .... the other players.
No, nothing personal of course, just putting them on the spot as to
who they think is ...............
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QUIZ – DO YOU RECOGNISE HIM?
Well, I know, it’s a tough one. Good hair cut, clean shaven, suit,
tie, after shave (smelt gorgeous), straps bag on the back, mobile on
the ear…
Oh alright, I’ll tell you then. It is Lee Beachill, just fresh out of
a PSA meeting on the last day of the qualifying. You should have seen
the jaws dropping as he approached the arena.
 “Are
you going to a funeral???”, said Malcolm Willstrop his coach, as I was
killing myself laughing while all the photographers were busy
immortalising the moment.
”What? What are you on about?” Lee was going. “Well, I’ve never seen
you look so…you clean nice” I said. “I bloody do!!!” he laughed.
Well, I don’t know if that meeting was profitable, if the new CEO
candidates the PSA board interviewed on that day were good or bad, but
one thing is sure, just for the sight of Stunning Lee in a suit, it
was all worth it..
More, Lee, more!!!!!!!!! |
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Paul in his new role, photographer for the fans |
Ziad and mysterious secret agent Kim |
Nigel keeping up with the squash news... |
Broadgate
EN BREF Issue #2
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the Super Series
Finals |
A
SHORT WALK AWAY…
OK, it’s not as close as it was last week in Liverpool, where the
hotel was virtually metres from the Echo Arena, but it’s close enough
thank you, close enough to walk – 15mn – close enough to take a bus,
and virtually a few seconds in taxi – well, yes, it's late after the
matches, we do occasionally take one…
Honestly, you just come out of the hotel, walk left on Shoreditch High
Street for about 15mn, and you are at Liverpool Street Station. You
can actually admire a few lovely sights on the way, worth your while…
But it’s got to be stressed how blessed we are, as Ziad and Paul
really spoilt us with a great hotel – Crowne Plaza Shoreditch –
perfectly situated, as quiet as can be in the centre of town, and
honestly, one of the best ones we’ve been given on the tour.
And it makes such a difference you know, for all involved. As you
know, money is scarce, and enjoying the event is for me in particular
the main reason for still being on the tour. So, a great hotel, near a
great venue, with my players, and I’m a happy frog…
In passing, I cannot recommend enough the breakfast/restaurant room.
It is an experience, as the view all over London is breathtaking. As
it’s the main moment where we can all chat and catch up, once again, a
perfect setting… |
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KAYLA IN BROADGATE…
 A
bit disappointed I am, I’ve got to tell you, as I was told that Ben
Beachill was going to be around, he is too cute that boy, but what can
I say, my dad needs me, and I had to come anyway.
Yes, after we moved to Boston, I could see that his squash was
suffering, as he didn’t have Uncle Shaun to push him round anymore. So
I decided that I would keep him busy.
First, I talk to him a lot, especially when he is on court, that keeps
his spirit up, a few DVDs of high quality when he is resting – he
luuuuves Winnie the Poo, can’t take him away from it - then, our
course, our daily jogging, and last but not least, racquet training.
Phew - no wonder I’m exhausted!
 But
it’s all worth it. After only a few weeks, a fourth British Open
title, a semi-final after two victories in two matches… I think I’m
not doing too bad as a coach. Maybe I should start doing DVDs or
something. I’ll have a good think about it, and will keep you
posted...
Ah, one last thing.
COME ON, DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Broadgate
EN BREF Issue #1
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the Super Series
Finals |
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I
KNOW YOU…
 You
will not believe this one, but it’s a true one. As our formally
retired but thank God back for a few events Voice of Squash was
trying to get from Paddington to the Crown Plaza in the City where we
are staying this week during the tournament, he got a taxi whose
driver had a bit of a foreign accent.
At first, the man didn’t know the hotel, as apparently the name
changed not too long ago. But as they were driving, the driver kept on
looking in the mirror at Robert. After about 10mn, he came out with a
“I know you”. “Oh, I don’t think so”, replied our Comte de Bretagne
with a little smile, “I don’t live in London”. “Yes, yes, I know you….
BARADA!!!!!”
Can you believe it! The driver was Egyptian, a squash fan, who
remembered Robert from the years he was managing the Egyptian number
one at the time.
Only the Voice of Squash….. |
THEY SAID…
The ref : “No let”
Wael : “Am I that slow???”
 The
ref :
“It’s a majority decision”
Wael : “Well, what do you want me to say to that???”
The ref : “Nothing!!”
Lee to the ref after a few hiccups: “You can get off if you want, we
are fine here…” |
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 THIERRY
IN
SKIING MODE…
The former World number one doesn’t stop innovating dress wise. After
his socks that have alimented the columns for about a year, he’s now
found a way to keep warm after the matches, by wearing a costume that
make him look like a long distance skier.
Well, thats what most of the people seem to believe he looks like. But
to me, he looks like a spermatozoid in the Woody Allen film “All you always
wanted to know about sex…”!
Oh well, whatever works for you… |
AND YOUR NAME IS….
 We
had a great opening line from the centre ref for the last match of the
evening on the opening day.
As the two players got ready, we heard, …. Blah blah blah, Amr
Shabana, from Egypt, to serve, James Willstrop, from England to
receive, love all…
You think, what’s wrong about that?
What’s wrong is that James had already played a bit earlier against
Thierry, and it was Lee Beachill actually on court!
Well, two white Englishmen, they all look alike, don’t they??? |
WHEN TWO WORLD CHAMPIONS MEET…
Shabana has a special guest during these Championships, his long time
friend/rival from junior days, Ahmed Fi Faizy, Junior World
Champion, who used to run all his opponent off court, is in his
corner.
”This man is the reason why I never got a World Junior title, Fram,”
laughed Shabana after his victory against Lee. “This week, he is
coaching me…”
The man has lost a bit of hair, but found a beautiful wife… No wonder
he’s got that adorable smile on his face… |
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