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Changes
PSA's New Scoring System
By Martin Heath
Photo by Squashpics.com
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Martin Heath (L) interviews Damien Mudge at the Tournament of Champions Betteridge Jewelers Teaching Pro Draw
A very big hello to all readers of Squash Magazine. I am very excited to be writing for Squash Magazine at this juncture as it comes at a time of great change, not only for me and my career, but also in the world of squash.
To name one of the few interesting developments in the game, we saw recently that the Professional Squash Association (PSA) opted for a change in its scoring system away from either point-a-rally to 15 or point-on-serve to 9 to an unprecedented PAR scoring to 11, still best of five games. While I believe that this change is better for the playability and watchability of the pro game, it is more the courage of the decision that I would like to address here.
Perhaps it is my contrary Scottish highlander nature, but I see the scoring change as a very positive step for the professional game, if a little overdue. In my 11 years on the tour (and for a preceding five years), the scoring system has stayed the same, the tour prize fund has not increased markedly, tournaments have come and gone, television productions and ratings have stayed the same, and yet there still seems to be a lot of back-slapping for those people who supposedly push the game forward.
Squash was traditionally the preserve of the British establishment and grew throughout the world primarily with the spread of British colonialism. While I believe that this history and tradition should be honored wherever possible, globalization exists nowadays through commercialization and entrepreneurialism rather than through colonialism and the preservation of traditions. Whether you think this is right or not, it is an undeniable fact that for the image of professional squash to grow, it has to bend itself to suit the demands of the global viewing public and the changing demographics of the playing public.
The PSA is the shop window of squash, not a standard bearer of old-school traditional values. For the last 15 years, while various non-colonial countries have exploded onto the world scene, the shop window has effectively stayed the same with no real strategy for growth and no proper marketing plan. With all due respect to the history of the game, I believe it is PSA’s adherence to the old-school values that has prevented the professional side of the game to grow. The PSA needs to be the cheeky, creative kid to the traditionalist’s disapproving dad.
So is the change in scoring a sign that the PSA will be more willing to stand alone in pursuit of commercial gain? I for one hope so, and it is also very heartening to see that the two leading players of my generation believe the same. Peter Nicol is involved in setting up a promotions company, Eventis, that has developed the English Open and the Canary Wharf Classic (the latter using alternative scoring), while Jonathon Power is also staying in squash with the advent of his clothing and shoe company, JP Sports, using a very modern marketing strategy. They are not going into old colonial clubs and getting a coaching tenure but are involved in the promotional and commercial sides of the game. They obviously believe that squash will grow, and why shouldn’t they?
The PSA now has proper player representation on its board who want to further the game, expert promoters like John Nimick and his Event Engine company continue to grow in the US and beyond, and we have an incredibly passionate and creative television producer in Jean De Lierre who continues to put out network standard TV products. The demographic of squash is being changed and enhanced by the advent of great programs in the US such as SquashBusters, CitySquash, StreetSquash and others, taking the game to kids who would never previously have heard of the game never mind have played it. And that’s not to mention that pro squash is as dynamic, gymnastic and exciting to watch as it has ever been.
All things considered, squash is at the most exciting time in its history in terms of grass-roots involvement, changing demographics, better quality TV productions, more professional promoters, and players and ex-players believing and investing in the promotion of the game. I am very proud of the traditions and history of squash, and I am equally excited and privileged to play whatever part I can to promote the professional game and make it as commercially successful as it can and should become. Let the changes continue!
Bio:
Martin Heath spent 11 years on the professional tour, including six consecutive years in the top 10. He is four-time and current Scottish Champ. Heath is the lead commentator, presenter and interviewer for the recent Tennis Channel production of the Tournament of Champions. If you have questions or feedback for Martin, please contact him at martinheath@squashmagazine.com
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Feb 2008
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